The phonons of two end members of Li 1+x Ti 2−x O 4 spinel system, i.e., the metallic LiTi 2 O 4 and the insulating Li[Li 1/3 Ti 5/3 ]O 4 , are calculated in superspace symmetry approach using a short-range force constant model. The composition dependence of zone-centre optical phonons in Li 1+x Ti 2−x O 4 near phase transition and Li 1−x Mg x Ti 2 O 4 has been investigated using different models of substitution. One-and two-mode behavior is therefore predicted for F 1u and F 2u modes in case of tetrahedral and octahedral substitution, respectively.