A white-emitting Ca9Y(PO4)(7): Tm3+, Dy3+ phosphor has been successfully prepared by conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fluorescence spectrophotometer were used to characterize the as-synthesized phosphors. The excitation and emission spectra show that all the Tm3+ and Dy3+ co-doped Ca9Y(PO4)(7) samples can be effectively excited by UV light and then emit blue and yellow light simultaneously. Furthermore, the emission and color coordinate of as-obtained samples pumped by 365 nm are able to be adjusted around white light by varying the doping concentrations of Tm3+ and Dy3+. So, the as-fabricated single-composition Ca9Y(PO4)(7): Tm3+, Dy3+ phosphor will have a promising application in the area of white light emitting diodes. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.