The invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates by reacting the corresponding amines with phosgene in the liquid phase, if appropriate in the presence of at least one inert medium, in which the amine and the phosgene are first mixed in a mixing chamber (1) to give a reaction mixture and the reaction mixture is fed to a reactor, the amine being added through an orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber (1) and the phosgene being added through feed orifices (5) in at least two planes (7, 9) arranged at right angles to the axis (11) of the mixing chamber (1), or the phosgene being added through the orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber and the amine through the feed orifices (5) in at least two planes (7, 9) arranged at right angles to the axis (11) of the mixing chamber (1). At least one plane (9) is arranged upstream and at least one plane (7) downstream of the orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber (1) in main flow direction of the reaction mixture. The mean residence time of the reaction mixture in the mixing chamber (1) is not more than 20 ms.