Abstract Visible and infrared absorption and emission spectra of Er3+-doped strontium gadolinium gallate (SrGdGa3O7) single-crystal were measured at room temperature. From the measured fluorescence spectra, the Er3+ emission cross section spectra were calculated at first. Then, by utilizing McCumber relation, the absorption cross section spectra were further calculated. In parallel, the absorption cross section spectra were also calculated from the measured absorption spectra of the crystal, and compared with those spectra calculated from the McCumber relation. The comparison shows that the absorption cross section spectra obtained using the McCumber relation are in reasonable agreement with those deduced from the measured absorption spectrum.