In the present work, silicon nitride was fabricated with $Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ as a sintering additive and its mechanical properties were investigated. Silicon nitride with 3, 5, and 7wt% of $Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ was prepared and sintered by a Hot Pressing (HP) technique at 1750 and $1800^{circ}C$ for 2 h. The process was performed under different process pressures of 30 and 45 MPa. Mechanical properties (density, strength, hardness, and fracture toughness) were investigated as a function of the $Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ content in $Si_3N_4$. $Si_3N_4;-Y_3Al_5O_{12}$ ceramics showing similar mechanical properties compared with $Si_3N_4-Y_2O_3-Al_2O_3$ ceramics. But its high temperature strength was considerably higher than that of $Si_3N_4-Y_2O_3-Al_2O_3$ ceramics.