Li2Mg3SnO6:Mn4+ deep red phosphor is synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction method in air. With excitation 330 and 480 nm, the emission band peaking at similar to 670 nm within the range 600-790 nm is observed owing to the E-2 -> (4)A(2) transition of Me ion. Excitation bands peaking at similar to 330, 395, and 480 nm in the range of 220-600 nm indicate that Li2Mg3SnO6:Mn4+ phosphor can be effectively excited by (near) ultraviolet and blue light-emitting diode chips. The optimal Mn4+ ion concentration is similar to 0.4 mol%. Fluorescence lifetime and quantum efficiency of Li2Mg3SnO6:0.4%Mn4+ phosphor with excitation 330 nm are similar to 266.67 mu s and 36.3%, respectively. The luminous mechanism is explained by the Tanabe-Sugano energy level diagram of Me4+ in the octahedron. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.