The 4f11 energy levels of Er3+ in LiYF4 in the spectral region 39 000–65 000 cm-1 have been studied. The agreement between experimental energy levels, obtained from luminescence excitation spectra, and calculated energy levels is good. Luminescence originating from high-lying energy levels has been investigated. Emission from the states 4D1/2 (47 200 cm-1), 2F(2)7/2 (54 700 cm-1) and 2F(2)5/2 (63 300 cm-1) is observed. 2F(2)5/2 emission occurs for Er3+ in LaF3, where the 2F(2)5/2 level is situated just below the lowest 4f 10 5d state, but also for Er3+ in LiYF4, where it lies in between the two lowest 4f 10 5d states.