A low molecular weight polyphenylene ether having a reduced viscosity of 0.04 to 0.18 dl/g as measured at 30° C. in a 0.5 g/dl chloroform solution, and a molecular weight distribution of 1.5 to 2.5; or a low molecular weight polyphenylene ether powder comprising the low molecular weight polyphenylene ether exhibits high thermal resistance and excellent electric properties, and thus is useful as electric materials such as printed circuit board and as modifiers of other resins.