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Urea deep placement (UDP) increases nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in lowland rice fields by reducing ammonia volatilization, surface runoff and increasing nitrogen uptake. However, its effects on N losses as nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and nitric oxide (NO) are not yet clear. We conducted field experiments at two locations of Bangladesh — Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) — to determine the effects of UDP vs broadcast urea on N 2 O and NO emissions from rice fields. N 2 O and NO emissions were measured from three N fertilizer treatments (control [0 kg N/ha], UDP, broadcast urea) using automated gas sampling and analysis system continuously for three rice growing seasons — Aus (May–Aug), Aman (Aug–Dec) and Boro (Jan–May). Urea was applied as 2–3 split application, while for UDP treatment, urea briquettes were deep placed (7–10 cm depth) between 4 hills of rice at alternate rows to meet recommended N rates in a single application. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications and N 2 O and NO measurements were done at every three-hour interval. N 2 O emissions were sporadic and event specific. Peaks in N 2 O emissions were observed after broadcast application of urea, during dry period and after re-flooding of the dry soil. For the rest of the time during the rice-growing season, emissions were very low to negligible. However, across the rice-growing seasons, UDP significantly (P < 0.05) reduced N 2 O emissions compared with broadcast urea. Moreover, N 2 O emissions showed significant spatial and seasonal variations. They were higher during Boro season compared with Aus and Aman seasons and at BAU site than that of BRRI. Conversely, emissions between Aus and Aman seasons and between control and UDP treatments were similar. In contrast to N 2 O emissions, NO emissions were negligible and not affected by fertilizer treatment. However, significant spatial and seasonal variations were observed, with higher NO emissions at BRRI site compared with BAU and during Boro than that of Aus season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]