Partial oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) on various metal catalysts was investigated. DME was highly active for oxidation and could be partially oxidized into CO and H-2 at a temperature lower than 600 K on most of the examined supported metal catalysts. The products of partial oxidation of DME depended strongly not only on the metal catalyst but also on the oxide support. Formation of CO, H-2, CH4, HCHO, CO2, and H2O were observed on Al2O3-supported catalysts. However, no HCHO was formed on the catalysts supported on SiO2, MgO, Y0.16Zr0.84O2 (YSZ), Ce0.85Sm0.15O3, and LaGaO3 based oxide, i.e. La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.15Co0.05O3 (LSGMC). The activity to partial oxidation of DME on catalysts supported on Al2O3 increased in the order of Ni > Rh > Co much greater than Ru > Fe > Pt much greater than Ag. In particular, Ni supported on LaGaO3 based oxide was active and selective for partial oxidation of DME into synthesis gas. Effects of reaction conditions were further studied on Ni/LSGMC. Selectivity to CO and H-2 increased with decreasing contact time. Therefore, primary products of this reaction are CO and H-2 and the byproduct CH4 seems to be a secondary product. A small amount of coke was formed on Ni/LSGMC at low reaction temperatures; however, the amount was tiny at high temperatures.