Optical properties of chlorophosphate glasses of the type 50P₂O₅–30Na₂HPO₄–20RCl (R = potassium and lead) activated by 0.1 and 0.5 mol% of Pr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ have been investigated. Optical band gaps (𝐸_opt) have been reported for 0.1 and 0.5 mol% concentrations of Pr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ doped potassium and lead chlorophosphate glasses. Energy levels and optical transitions of Pr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ are assigned. Spectroscopic parameters (𝐸¹, 𝐸², 𝐸³, 𝜉_4f and 𝛼), spectral intensities (𝑓_expt), Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (𝛺₂, 𝛺₄ and 𝛺₆) and radiative lifetimes (𝜏_R) are correlated for 0.1 and 0.5 mol% concentrations of these two ions in potassium and lead chlorophosphate glasses