Detailed luminescence studies on Eu3+ doped SrSnO3 nano-rods having body centered tetragonal structure, confirmed that up to 1.5 at% Eu3+ ions occupy Sr2+ site in the lattice and is having a less polarisable environment. Experimentally obtained Judd-Ofelt parameters (Omega(2) and Omega(4) values) can be effectively used to monitor the extent of incorporation of Eu3+ ions at Sr2+ site. Based on Rietveld refinement of diffraction patterns and Sr K-edge EXAFS studies, it is inferred that average Sr-O and Sn-O bond lengths in SrO12 and SnO6 polyhedra increase with incorporation of relatively smaller Eu3+ at Sr2+ site in SrSnO3 lattice. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.