Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) nanopowders were synthesized via the urea homogeneous precipitation method. The morphology and sintering property controlling effects of ammonium sulfate and urea during the synthesis process were discussed. Spawn-like and fibrillar precipitates were obtained without and with sulfate ions, respectively. Dispersive Nd:YAG nanopowder with proper sintering property was obtained with 1273 K calcination for 2 h from the precursor with 4.56 wt.% ammonium sulfate. Combined with the influence of the [urea]/[metal ions]([U]/[M]) concentration ratio, the dispersion, composition and morphology of the Nd:YAG nanopowders could be controlled via homogeneous precipitation process. A transparent Nd:YAG ceramic was achieved from the Nd:YAG powders obtained with 4.56 wt.% ammonium sulfate and a [U]/[M] concentration ratio of 40. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.