Single-crystal V2O5 nanowires were successfully synthesized from the starting materials V6O13 powder and water. The experimental results indicate that high purity nanowires can be obtained using this simple synthetic route in absence of templates or catalysts. The diameter of the nanowires was found to be ca. 20 approximately 60 nm and the length up to several tens of micrometers, and the phases of nanowires were determined by XRD and TEM measurements.