The Pb^II cation in the title compound, [Pb₂(C₁₄H₄N₂O₈)]_n, is seven-coordinated by one N atom and six O atoms from four 4,4′-bipyridine-2,2′,6,6′-tetra­carboxyl­ate (BPTCA⁴⁻) ligands. The geometric centre of the BPTCA⁴⁻ anion lies on an inversion centre. Each pyridine-2,6-dicarboxyl­ate moiety of the BPTCA⁴⁻ ligand links four Pb^II cations via its pyridyl N atom and two carboxyl­ate groups to form two-dimensional sheets. The centrosymmetric BPTCA⁴⁻ ligand then acts as a linker between the sheets, which results in a three-dimensional metal–organic framework.