Field emission studies of a bunch and a single isolated RuO 2 :SnO 2 wire have been performed. A current density of 5.73×10 4 A/cm 2 is drawn from the single wire emitter at an applied field of 8.46×10 4 V/μm. Nonlinearity in the Fowler–Nordheim (F–N) plot has been observed and explained on the basis of electron emission from both the conduction and the valence bands of the semiconductor. The current stability recorded at the preset value of 1.5μA is observed to be good. Overall the high emission current density, good stability and mechanically robust nature of the RuO 2 :SnO 2 wires offer advantages as field emitters for many potential applications.