The formation of nano crystalline spinel ferrites plays an important role in determining its physical properties in nano and sub nano levels. In the present investigation, a single step procedure for the synthesis of spinel type transition metal ferrite nanocrystalline materials has been developed. Nanocrystalline Metal ferrite (MFe2O4–M=Ni, Co and Mn) in sol–gel auto combustion method was adopted with citric acid as a chelating agent. Our work is mainly oriented to synthesis as a single step one pot synthesis method and to evaluate its structural, topographical and physical properties of spinel ferrite and inverse spinel ferrites containing Co, Ni and Mn prepared by the low temperature route. The synthesized samples were tested for its phase pure and morphological investigations using powder X-ray diffraction and electron microscopic anlaysis to confirm its presence in nanocrystalline form.