Mn–Zn ferrite nanoparticles with various amounts of cobalt doping have been synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the nanoparticles have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of cobalt ions on the crystallization behavior, lattice parameters and magnetic properties of Mn–Zn ferrites have been investigated. All the Co-doped ferrite nanoparticles calcined at 1150°C possess a simple spinel structure and have an approximately spherical shape. The lattice parameters increase almost linearly with increasing Co content. The studies of magnetic properties show that the saturation magnetization M s strongly depends on the Co content, having a maximum M s value of 73emu/g at a Co content of 1.0at%, and all the Co-doped ferrites, with the average crystallite sizes ranging from 24.5 to 27.0nm, exhibit superparamagnetism at room temperature.