SnO2 nanoribbons have been synthesized by annealing of a milled SnO2 powder, which is able to evaporate efficiently at the temperature as low as 1100 degrees C due to the metastable structure created by ball milling treatment. When the milled powder was annealed in an assembly of two combustion boats, SnO2 nanoribbons formed on the surface of the milled powder. The nanoribbons tend to grow along the [101] crystallographic direction and their side surfaces are represented by +/- (010) and +/- (101) facets. The oxygen plays an important role in enhancing their formation.