This study reports the structural, morphological, optical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of undoped and Cr-doped KNbO3 synthesized by solid-state reaction. XRD and Rietveld refinement confirmed orthorhombic phase formation without secondary impurities. Morphology varied from rods to cubes with enhanced dielectric permittivity upon Cr doping. Bandgap reduction and photoluminescence revealed oxygen vacancies. Magnetic studies indicated high coercivity and saturation magnetization at 0.03 mol% Cr. © 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.