Core-template-free hybrid hydroxyapatite (HA) hollow microspheres based on a chitosan-poly acrylic acid (CS-PAA) complex were prepared. The amine groups on chitosan can interact with the carboxyl groups of poly(acrylic acid) to form hollow microspheres. The hollow HA microspheres of about 1.0 microm are obtained by heterogeneous nucleation of HA on CS-PAA hollow spheres. Gelatin (Gel), acting as a novel cross-link agent, is introduced to bind the spheres of CS-PAA and HA. The forming mechanism of hollow spheres and the influencing factors on the size of microspheres are investigated. In addition, the role of Gel is elucidated in the forming process of the hollow hybrid sphere.