The absorption andfluorescent spectra and fluorescent lifetime of Yb3+ and Er3+co-doped phosphate glass were measured. Some basic properties of spectroscopic propertiessuch as absorption cross section and stimulated emission cross section have beencalculated. The effect of P2O5 and Yb2O3concentrations, alkali metal oxides, alkaline earth metal oxides and OH- on spectroscopicproperties of phosphate erbium glasses have been discussed. The Yb3+ and Er3+co-doped phosphate erbium glass with fluorescent lifetime of 7.5 ms and stimulatedemission cross section of 0.8×10-20 cm2 has been achieved inpresent work. This provides good basis for the future laser experiments.