The effects of Bi 4Ti 3O 12 addition on the microstructure and dielectric properties of Mn-modified BaTiO 3 were investigated to develop low temperature fired BaTiO 3-based ceramics with stable temperature characteristics. The sintering temperature of Mn-doped BaTiO 3 could be reduced to 1200 °C by adding more than 1 mol% Bi 4Ti 3O 12. TEM results show an apparent core–shell structure with 2 mol% Bi 4Ti 3O 12 addition. However, it was destroyed when the Bi 4Ti 3O 12 content increased from 2 to 4 mol%. The permittivity decreased and the Curie temperature shifted to higher temperature when the Bi 4Ti 3O 12 content increased from 0 to 3 mol%. The temperature characteristic of capacitance was very close to the EIA X8R specification when 2 mol% Bi 4Ti 3O 12 was added due to the presence of the core–shell grain structure and raised Curie temperature. With adequate Bi 4Ti 3O 12 addition, the BaTiO 3-based system shows great potential for applications in EIA X8R-type multilayer ceramic capacitors.