Palladium octahedra, truncated octahedra, cuboctahedra, truncated cubes, and nanocubes with sizes of tens of nanometers have been synthesized in an aqueous mixture of H2PdCl4 solution, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) surfactant, KBr solution, dilute KI solution, and ascorbic acid solution at 35 degrees C for 30 min. By tuning the amount of dilute KBr solution introduced, particle shape control can be achieved Adjusting the volumes of the Pd precursor and KBr solutions added, smaller and larger Pd nano crystals were obtained with excellent shape control. Extensive structural and optical characterization of these nanocrystals has been performed. Two absorption bands in the ultraviolet region can be discerned for these Pd nanocrystals. Concave Pd cubes can also be prepared. Pd cubes were found to grow at a faster rate than that for the formation of octahedra. The concentrations of KBr and KI in the solution are so low that spectral shifts were not detected upon their addition to the solution. The Pd nanocrystals can readily be used for various applications after simple removal of surfactant.