Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite was synthesized from its stoichiometric metal nitrates and urea mixtures, using a microwave assisted combustion method. The process was a convenient, inexpensive and an efficient method for formation of NiFe2O4 nanomaterials. Effect of urea/metal nitrates ratio on the obtained phases, particle size and magnetic properties has been investigated by various techniques. Saturation magnetization of 50 emu/g was observed at room temperature for larger particles, and it decreases with decreasing particle size. The coercivity attains a maximum value of 170 Oe when the particle size was similar to 20 nm, and decreases with increasing particle size. Mossbauer spectra measured at RT for some representative samples show a combination of ordered and superparamagnetic behavior, whereas those collected at 20 K elucidate the nature of the obtained phases and cation distribution. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.