The invention relates to a method for making silica nanoparticles using a flame reactor, which includes a droplet spray having a two-fluid nozzle and a burner of a quintuple tube structure. In this method, droplets of silicon alkoxide as liquid Si compound are sprayed through the droplet spray of the flame reactor. A flame is generated by the flow of inert gas, oxygen, hydrogen and air simultaneously into the burner of the flame reactor. The liquid Si compound is delivered through the flame of the burner to produce silica nanoparticles having a mean particle size ranging from 9 nm to 68 nm. Resultant nanoparticles are collected and recovered in a particle collector. The droplets sprayed under high pressure from a silicon alkoxide solution are directly oxidized in the flame, thereby producing spherical silica nanoparticles.