Phosphate glasses with high solubility of rare-earth ions, low glass transition temperature (T-g), and excellent optical transmission are suitable materials for laser hosts. In this study, a new type of Er2O3-doped SnO-P2O5 glass with Er2O3 content of 0-8 mol% has been obtained. It was found that physical properties, thermal properties, and crystallization behavior of the glass exhibit discontinuities at Er2O3 content of 2-4 mol%. It was also noted that reheating the glass at 375 degrees C, which is higher than the dilatometric softening temperature, results in the crystallization of a tin phosphate phase from the glass surface when Er2O3 content is < 0.5 mol%, resulting in serious cracking of the glass. Adding more Er2O3 (1-8 mol%) totally suppresses the surface crystallization, and thus is helpful to glass-shaping processes.