Bismuth ion (Bi3+) sensitized, europium ion (Eu3+) activated La2Zr2O7 nanophosphors are prepared successfully by simple wet chemical method. Strong blue emission of singly doped La2Zr2O7 with Bi3+ was observed at 310 nm excitation, its wide emission spectrum has a peak maximum at 465 nm ascribed to electronic transition 3P1 → 1S0 of Bi3+. The recorded photoluminescence spectra of y at% Eu3+ codoped La2Zr2O7, when excited at 285 nm, the emission spectrum exhibits maximum peaks at wavelength values 615 nm, 646 nm and 665 nm which are ascribed to 5D0 → 7F2, 5D0 → 7F3 and 5D0 → 7F4 transitions of Eu3+ respectively. The chromaticity coordinates for the optimized sample were found to be (0.519, 0.329). Sensitizing with Bi3+ can affect the luminescence properties of La2Zr2O7:Eu3+ phosphors. With reference to the change in Eu3+ concentration from Y = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%, color tunable luminescence from blue to orange, red of La2Zr2O7:Bi3+,Eu3+ phosphors are observed. The lifetime decay values, energy level description and CIE chromatic color coordinates for Bi3+, Eu3+ in La2Zr2O7:Bi3+,Eu3+ codoped sample was discussed. The spectral overlap between sensitizer, activator ions confirms the efficient energy transfer from Bi3+ to Eu3+ in La2Zr2O7:Bi3+,Eu3+ codoped sample and is via a dipole‐quadruple mechanism.