A series of Eu 3+ activated Li 6 Y 1− x Eu x (BO 3 ) 3 (0.05⩽x⩽1) phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The structures and photoluminescent properties of the phosphors were investigated at room temperature. The results of XRD patterns indicate that these phosphors are isotypic to the monoclinic Li 6 Gd(BO 3 ) 3 . The excitation spectra indicate that these phosphors can be effectively excited by near UV (370–410nm) light. The red emission from transition 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 is dominant. The emission spectra exhibit strong red performance (CIE chromaticity coordinates: x=0.65, y=0.35), which is due to the 5 D 0 − 7 F J transitions of Eu 3+ ions. The relationship between the structure and the photoluminescent properties of the phosphors was studied. The concentration quenching occurs at x≈0.85 under near UV excitation. Li 6 Y(BO 3 ) 3 :Eu 3+ has potential application as a phosphor for white light-emitting diodes.