The synthesis of bismuth ferrite by solid-state reaction of Bi2O3 and Fe2O3 results in the formation of multiphase products. Even coprecipitation followed by calcination leads to the formation of impurity phases. Here, we report the synthesis of magnetoelectric bismuth ferrite by a ferrioxalate precursor method. In this process, bismuth ferrite, synthesized through solutions of some specific salts led to the formation of phase pure (perovskite) nanocrystalline powder (11-22 nm as evident from X-ray diffraction analysis) at a temperature of 600 degrees C. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The synthesis route is simple, energy saving and cost-effective. Such nanosized bismuth ferrite powder may have a potential application in making lead free piezoelectric materials for actuators as well as magnetoelectric sensors. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.