Self-assembled InAs quantum dots with graded composition strain-reducing layer (SRL) grown on exact substrates were studied. It is shown that a graded InxGa1?xAs SRL leads to growth quality improvement, emission efficiency enhancement, and wavelength blueshift. Samples grown on 2° misoriented substrates with different In contents in graded InxGa1?xAs SRL were also investigated, and emission efficiency enhancement and wavelength blueshift were found when graded SRL was introduced and when the change rate of In content in graded InxGa1?xAs SRL was enlarged.