Abstract: Problem to be solved is to provide a nitride phosphor having enhanced luminance, internal quantum efficiency and external quantum efficiency compared to those of conventional nitride phosphors. The nitride phosphor is represented by the general formula (1) shown below and it is characterized in that the infrared spectroscopy measured by the diffuse reflection method at the measurement intervals of 2 cm?1 or lower, satisfies predetermined conditions: LnxSiyNn:Z??(1) (In the general formula (1), Ln represents rare earth element excluding the element to be used as an activator, Z represents an activator, x satisfies the condition of 2.7?x?3.3, y satisfies the condition of 5.4?y?6.6, and n satisfies the condition of 10?n?12.