MnO2 nanowires with large aspect ratio were successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method. In this method, Mn(NO3)2 was as a source of manganese and NH4NO3 as an oxidant. The structure and morphology of the MnO2 nanowires were characterized by X ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Their lateral elastic modulus was characterized via a nanoscale three-point bending test by atomic force microscopy (AFM) equipped with picoforce. The results indicate that the crystal form of MnO2 was β-MnO2. The elastic modulus of the nanowires decreased with the increase in nanowire diameter. This elastic modulus was in the range of 33.36-77.84GPa as the diameter ranged from 240 to 185nm.