Aluminum nitride (AlN) nanopowders with low degree of agglomeration and uniform particle size were synthesized by carbothermal reduction of alumina and subsequent direct nitridization. Boehmite powder was homogeneously admixed with carbon black nanopowders by ball milling. The powder mixture was treated under ammonia atmosphere to synthesize AlN powder at lour temperature. The effect of process variables such as boehmite/carbon black powder ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time on the synthesis of AlN nanopowder was investigated.