Alpha alumina powder with fine particle size and narrow particle size distribution was prepared by precipitation method using Al2(SO4)3.18H2O as a starting material. The alpha alumina powder was prepared by calcining aluminum hydroxide which was formed under various pH values. The sinterabilityof alpha alumina powder and the effect of MgO on the sinterability of alpha alumina powder were investigated. The sinterability of alpha alumina powder was the order of pH=10≒pH11>pH=7≒pH9, and alpha alumina obtained from boehmite which was prepared by precipitation method reached to 97.5% of theoretcal density by the pressureless sintering. The effect of MgO on volume shrinkage of alumina was very slight in the initial sintering stage but remarkable in the final sintering stage. It was also found that MgO controlled effectively the grain growth of alumina.