Synthesis of carbon nanofibers on a metal substrate by an ethylene fueled inverse diffusion flame was observed. Stainless steel plates were used for the catalytic metal substrate. The effects of radial distance and residence time of the substrate were investigated. The role of hydrocarbon composition in the fuel was also viewed. Nanofibers with a diameter range of 30-70nm were found on the substrate. The carbon nanofibers were formed and grown in the region from 4 to 5.5mm from the central axis of a flame outside of the visible flame front in the radial direction. The minimum residence time required for the formation of carbon nanofibers were about 20 seconds, and over 60 seconds were required for the full-scale growth. The characteristic time of the formation of carbon nanofibers was much shorter than that of the substrate temperature growth. In this study, the variation in hydrocarbon composition had no significant effect on the formation and growth of the carbon nanofibers.