Small crystal zeolites ZSM-5 with sizes of 150-300 nm were synthesized using the colloidal silicate precursors as the silica source created by the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate with tetrapropylammonium bromide as the structure-directing agent within a short crystallization time of 20-35 h. The precursors and final products were detected by XRD, SEM, ICP and DLS.