Abstract Multilayer cermaics based on the 0.9PMN-0.1PT were fabricated by tape casting and their dielectric and electrostrictive properties were investigated as a function of the number of active layers. The 0.9PMN-0.1PT ceramics modified with various amounts of ZnO were prepared by molten salt synthesis. An increase in the number of active layers led to linear increases in levels of capacitance and displacement. These properties increased with up to the 2mol% ZnO addition and then decreased with further addition regardless of number of active layers. In the case of 2 mol% ZnO addition, the specimens consisting of four active layers showed a maximum dielectric constant of 25,200 and electrostrictive strain of 5.8 × 10−4 at 10kV/cm. These results can be explained by microstructure analysis.