The addition of zeolite into soil has gained significant attention as an effective way for enhancing geotechnical properties of soil, particularly strength characteristics. In the present study, experiments were conducted on lateritic soil mixed with various percentages of zeolite (0, 10, 20 and 30%) to examine the effect of zeolite on compaction behaviour, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and direct shear tests of soils. It is found that the compaction behaviour of lateritic soil-zeolite is influenced by the zeolite content in mixes. The UCS of lateritic-zeolite mixes increases with increasing percentages of zeolite. The stress–strain characteristics of soil is also influenced by the addition of zeolite to soils. The results obtained from direct shear test shows that with increase in zeolite percentage, the shear stress value increases for lateritic soil-zeolite mixes. This research supports the potential of zeolite as a sustainable and efficient soil additive, contributing to environmentally friendly geotechnical engineering solutions.