Ni-Zn ferrite powders were successfully synthesized by microwave-induced combustion process. The process takes only a few minutes to obtain calcined Ni-Zn ferrite powders. The resultant powders were investigated by XRD, SEM, VSM, TG/DTA and surface area measurements. The as-received product shows the formation of cubic ferrite with saturation magnetization (M-s) approximate to 23 emu/g, whereas upon annealing at 850 degreesC for 4 h, the saturation magnetization (M-s) increased to 52 emu/g. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.