Lead-free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BCTZ) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by a conventional oxide-mixed method at various calcination and sintering temperatures. Both calcination and sintering temperatures had an effect on the density and grain size, which are closely related to piezoelectric and other properties of ceramics. The calcination temperature had a great influence on the grain boundary, which also played an important role in the piezoelectric properties. With increased calcination and sintering temperature, the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were enhanced. The BCTZ ceramics calcined at 1300 C and sintered at 1540 C exhibited optimal electrical properties: d33 = 650 pC/N, d31 = 74 pC/N, kp = 0.53, kt = 0.38, k31 = 0.309, S(E/11) = 14.0 x 10 exp(-12) m2/N, epsilonr = 4500, Pr = 11.69 microC/cm2, making it a promising lead-free piezoelectric.