Sulfated zirconia was synthesized and characterized by various physico-chemical techniques such as EDS, Thermal analysis (TGA & DTG), FT-IR, XRD, BET surface area measurement, SEM and n-butyl amine acidity determination. The use of synthesized catalyst was explored for biodiesel production by esterification of (free fatty acid) oleic acid with methanol. Influence of various reaction parameters (catalyst concentration, acid/alcohol molar ratio, catalyst amount, reaction temperature and reaction time) on catalytic performance was studied to optimize the conditions for maximum yield of methyl oleate. Also the catalyst was regenerated and reused. As an application, preliminary study was carried out for biodiesel production by transesterification of waste cooking oil and Jatropha oil, as feedstock without any pretreatment, with methanol. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.