WO3-based varistors doped with Gd2O3 were prepared and the microstructures, the nonlinear electrical properties and the dielectric properties were investigated. There is only monoclinic phase of WO3 existing in the doped samples. The electrical properties were stable, either under high electrical field or under low electrical field. The nonlinear coefficient was about 2.5 and the barrier voltage was very low with the value of about 0.06 V. The dielectric constant of doped samples was higher than that of undoped samples. WO3 ceramic doped with Gd2O3 is a new kind of low voltage capacitor-varistor material. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.