All 17 infrared lattice modes for yttrium aluminum, yttrium gallium, and yttrium iron garnets Y3R2(RO4)3 are obtained from single-crystal reflection and absorption spectroscopy, and the powder technique. Assignments for 12 modes are firmly establish based on chemical substitution among these garnets and within related series. Frequencies of the modes associated with translation of yttrium are nearly constant across the series. Frequencies of all other modes decrease quasilinearly as cell volume increases. Values the high and low frequency dielectric constants are in good agreement with independent measurements; also, the Lyddane–Sachs–Teller relationship was found to hold. Calculations of bulk moduli from vibrational spectra using a modification of Brout’s formula linearly correlate with experimental values for KT.