The SrLa2−xO4:xEu3+ phosphors are synthesized through high-temperature solid-state reaction method at 1473 K with various doping concentration. Their phase structures, absorption spectra, and luminescence properties are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence spectrometry. The intense absorption of SrLa2−xO4:xEu3+ phosphors have occurred around 400 nm. The prominent luminescence spectra of the prepared phosphors exhibited bright red emission at 626 nm. The doping concentration 0.12 mol% of Eu3+ is shown to be optimal for prominent red emission and chromaticity coordinates are x = 0.692, y = 0.3072. Considering the high colour purity and appropriate emission intensity of Eu3+ doped SrLa2O4 can be used as red phosphors for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs). © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.