To provide a method for producing an inorganic fine particle powder which causes little expansion and agglomeration at manufacture of an organic-inorganic composite material, the organic-inorganic composite material manufactured using the inorganic fine particle powder, and an optical element excellent in optical properties, transparency and thermal stability.

The method for producing the inorganic fine particle powder comprises the steps of: mixing a polymeric material with an inorganic fine particle containing a SiO2 layer at least at its surface, provided that at least 80 mass% of the polymeric material is not thermally decomposed when heated to 300C at a heating rate of 10C/min in the atmosphere; drying the mixture; and firing the mixture to produce the inorganic fine particle powder. The organic-inorganic composite material and the optical element are manufactured using the inorganic fine particle powder.