This article deals with the structural and optical characterization of lead-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized by precipitation method. X-ray diffraction study confirmed the substitution of Pb dopant without disturbing the basic wurtzite structure of zinc oxide. The average crystallite size, lattice constants, and unit cell volume also increased up to 10% of lead doping. The energy gap of the samples was determined from the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum as well as Tauc's plot which infers that the energy gap decreases with the increase of lead content. Fourier Transformation Infra Red spectrum confirmed the lead dopant through peak shifting from 437-549 cm(-1). Photoluminescence spectrum also defines the leads dopant by means of intensity increase. Scanning electron microscope study also confirmed the existence of particles in nanometer size and it witnessed the microstructure transformation from nanoparticles to the rod-like structure on 10 (wt.%) lead doping. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.