A process for the continuous synthesis of dialkyl carbonates of the general formula I ##STR1## in which R denotes C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, by reaction of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkanols with carbon monoxide and oxygen at elevated temperature and pressure and in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst dissolved or suspended in the reaction medium, whereina) a gas stream containing carbon monoxide and oxygen is bubbled through the alkanol/catalyst mixture present in the reactor at a rate of from 1 to 100 liters per hours per gram of copper present in the reactor, part of which gas stream reacts with the alkanol to form dialkyl carbonate and water, which components are continuously entrained, together with alkanol, as a gaseous mixture, from the reaction mixture by means of the remaining, unreacted portion of the carbon monoxide/oxygen gas stream, whereuponb) the resulting gaseous mixture is separated, in a separator, into gaseous and liquid phases, the gaseous phase being recycled to the reactor if desired, andc) the liquid phase, which essentially consists of dialkyl carbonate, water and alkanol, is separated into its components, the dialkyl carbonate being isolated and the alkanol, if desired, recycled to the reactor, andd) the liquid in the reactor is replenished by adding fresh or recycled alkanol at the rate at which the alkanol is consumed and discharged.