The spinels chalcogenide are emerging materials for solar cells and other renewable energy applications. we have elaborated the electronic and optical properties of ZnY2(S/Se)4 by modified Becke and Johnson potential. The computed band gaps 1.66 eV and 1.10 eV correspond to visible region which increase their significance for solar cells. The optical properties are elaborated by dielectric constants, refractive index, and absorption coefficient. Furthermore, the thermoelectric properties are depicted by BoltzTraP code in terms of thermal conductivity to electrical conductivity ratio, Seebeck coefficient and figure of merit. Finally, two important ratios (i.e. Pugh’s (B/G > 1.75) and Poisson (υ > 0.26) described the brittle nature of ZnY2S4 and ductile nature of ZnY2Se4 spinels. The large value of Debye and melting temperature is reported for ZnY2S4 than ZnY2Se4.