A novel Dy3+ activated KZnPO4 phosphor was synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra of the phosphor were investigated. The luminescence intensities of KZnPO4:xDy(3+) can be enhanced and the chromaticity coordinates were tuned from cold-white to warm-white region with variety of Dy3+ ions dopant. The deep level emissions of ZnO4 presented at different wavelength by different energy excited, that affect the photoluminescence and chromaticity coordinates of KZnPO4:0.8%Dy3+. This paper clearly revealed the effect of ZnO4 on the photoluminescence of KZnPO4:0.8%Dy3+, which is very helpful to the studies on the phosphors containing Zn2+ ion. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.