The synthesis by combustion reaction stands as an alternative technique for preparing powders with high purity level, nanometric particle size and low cost. Therefore, this study had as objective the synthesis and characterization of ferrite powders with nominal composition NI1-xZnxFe2O4(x = 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8 mol) prepared by combustion reaction using urea as fuel. The influence of the quantity of zinc in the final characteristics of the powders was also investigated. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption (BET) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All compositions resulted in nanometric powders of Ni-Zn ferrites with direct formation of the inverse spinel phase, showing the effectiveness of the synthesis method applied. The increase of zinc's concentration caused an increase in surface area, ranging 4 m2g-1from 23 m2g-1. And the SEM micrographs show that the powders have thinner particle morphology with increasing zinc content.