Zirconia nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal process, and experimental parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, kind and concentration of precipitator, kind of precursor were varied. Particle sizes and crystalline phases of each synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed with X-ray diffraction and FE-scanning electron microscope (SEM). The particle size and crystallization of zirconia increased with increasing concentration of precipitator. The growth rate of particle sizes when NaOH as a precipitator was used also increased more than that of KOH. Therefore, the use of KOH rather than NaOH was more effective in the control of particle sizes. An amorphous zirconia nanoparticle was found in 4 h of hydrothermal reaction, but the monoclinic zirconia nanoparticle was found in 8 h and over of hydrothermal reaction, and the width of nanoparticles was slightly slimmed and the length of nanoparticles was slightly extended with increasing reaction time. The smallest particle size was produced at the same synthesis condition when zirconium chloride among the precursors such as zirconium (IV) acetate, zirconium nitrate and zirconium chloride was used.