A series of Pr3+ activated YAl3(BO3)4 phosphors were fabricated by solid-state reaction technique and they were characterized via phase, morphology and photoluminescence studies. Powder X-ray diffraction peaks were suitably matched to JCPDS No. 72–1978. The presence of various vibrational bonds was identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. High resolution scanning electron microscopic investigations show that the phosphor particles were distributed uniformly and presented a rod-like shape. The photoluminescence results show that the studied phosphors were easily excited by visible wavelength to produce intense-yellow to pale-yellow tunable emission. The decrease in luminescence intensity and lifetime was assigned to dipole-dipole interaction energy-transfer among excited Pr3+ ions. Observed results show that the 0.05 mol% of Pr3+ activated phosphor produce intense-yellow luminescence at 480 nm excitation. •YABPr phosphors shows a rod-like shape with uniform distribution of particles.•Exhibit intense-yellow to pale-yellow tunable luminescence at 480 nm excitation.•Dipole-dipole interaction results energy transfer among the excited Pr3 + ions.•YABPr0.05 phosphor is the best choice for lighting applications.