A simple solvothermal route has been used to prepare SnSe nanowires using SnCl4·4H2O and Selenium powder. The phase, structure, morphology, and optical properties of the as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scan electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscope (RS) and UV-visible spectrophotometer (UV-vis). The results showed that SnSe nanowires were prepared at 200°C for 24 h and in the length of 150-200μm, and width of 1-1.5μm. The band gap of SnSe nanowires was about 1.67 eV, which was close to the optimum band gap of thin film solar cells.