Abstract Highly transparent Y 2 O 3 ceramics using TiO 2 as an additive were synthesized by presintering and hot isostatic pressing ( HIP ). The effects of TiO 2 contents and sintering conditions on the optical properties of the final transparent ceramics were investigated. A small amount (0.04‐0.16 wt%) may decrease the densification temperature by about 200°C. The Y 2 O 3 ceramics doped with 0.16 wt% TiO 2 revealed a transparency of 82% in the wavelength range 1‐6 μm. The thermal conductivity of the samples is about 11.8 W/m K at 25°C, which is close to that of the undoped Y 2 O 3 ceramics.