A systematic study of non-catalytic pyrolysis of saw dust has been carried out in a batch reactor (fixed bed mode) in the temperature range of 375-475 degrees C at the heating rate of 10 degrees C/min to optimize the reaction temperature for maximum liquid yield. Also, catalytic cracking of pyrolysis vapors was carried out using Y-Zeolite at 450 degrees C. Produced bio-oil has been characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), H-1 NMR and bio-char using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FT-IR and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It has been observed that highest bio-oil yield of 26 wt.% was obtained at 450 degrees C without catalyst while the addition of catalyst reduces liquid yield. The obtained results showed that the bio-oil could be used as liquid fuel after upgradation and bio-char could be utilized for the generation of activated carbon. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.