This study reports the preparation and characterization of nanohydrogels by using sodium alginate as a model material. Alginate nanohydrogels (ANH) were prepared by emulsification-diffusion method in a w/o system with 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero- 3-phosphocholin as the lipophilic surfactant. The effects of the alginate to surfactant ratio and the remaining water contents on the mean particle size and swellability of ANHs were investigated in terms of the concentration, agitation speed, and agitation time. The feasibility of using nanohydrogels and their controllability were proved by the water the absorbency of ANHs during a 7-day evaluation by dynamic light scattering. In this work, the mean particle sizes of ANHs could be controlled from 49.2 nm (measured in ethanol phase) to $1.9{mu}m$ (measured in water phase, after 7 days of water absorption).