Zn doped CuFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles (CZF NPs) were synthesized by a citric acid assisted sol–gel auto combustion process. The obtained samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). XRD results confirmed the formation of cubic spinel-type structure with an average crystallite size in the range of 27–33nm. The variation lattice constants obey the Vegard’s Law. The CZF NPs were evaluated for their magneto-optical characteristics. The CZF NPs exhibit superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature (RT). The average M s value for CZF NPs is about 57emu/g. The observed magnetic moments of products are in the range of 1.76–2.49μ B . The small M r /M s ratios (maximum 0.22) specify uniaxial anisotropy in the Cu 1− x Zn x Fe 2 O 4 NPs. The high M s and magnetic moment values are attributed to cation distribution change. The direct optical band gap (E g ) value of CZF NPs was found as 1.42eV.