LED lights come with many benefits that are unique to only them. One of them is LED colour temperature. What exactly does that mean? Read on to learn about LED light colours, including a helpful LED colour temperature chart.
What Are the Different LED Colour Temperatures?
LED colour temperature refers to the colour that a light outputs and is measured in units Kelvin. The Kelvin ratings range from 1000k all the way up to 10,000K, with the warmer colours having lower Kelvin ratings and the cooler ones having higher Kelvin ratings.
The most common LED colour temperatures are as follows:
Very Warm White:
1000k
2000k
Warm White:
2700k
3000k
3300k
Daylight:
4000k
5000k
Cool White:
6000k and above
There are different applications for different areas in a home or business that call for different Kelvin ratings. For instance, many people will choose a 3000k warm white LED bulb for their home to give it a warm and inviting feeling. On the other hand, 6000K cool white LED lighting is often preferred in businesses and other commercial settings to display products with greater ease.
What Does CCT Mean with LED lighting?
LED CCT, or correlated colour temperature, essentially means the same thing as the above. This rating indicates the lighting colour of an LED bulb. Sometimes, it is indicated with RGB colours. Most commonly, you will see it represented by the same Kelvin rating as standard colour temperature ratings.
What Does a Kelvin Mean in LED Lighting?
In LED lighting, Kelvin is a unit that measures the colour temperature of a light. In the lighting industry, there is a range of colour temperatures from 1,000 to 10,000 units Kelvin that each shines a different "colour" of light.
Lights with a higher Kelvin rating will have a cooler colour, while lights with a lower rating will be warmer. Below are some of the most common Interior LED lighting.
- 2700k - Lights in this range have a warm white hue and are common in bedrooms and living rooms of homes.
- 3000k - This soft white colour is common in households, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- 3500k - This is a natural white that you will often see in retail stores as it is bright enough to see without being too cool.
- 4,000k - This is a cool white colour that offers a focused and clean feeling. It is commonly found in grocery stores.
- 5,000k - This brightness gets closer to daylight colours and is vibrant and crisp. It is commonly seen in warehouses and sports arenas.
- 6,500k - This rage of light mimics daylight almost entirely and gives off a blue-white colour.
What Does CRI Mean for LED Colour Temperature?
LED Light colours are not the only thing you should pay attention to when choosing an LED bulb. The CRI is equally as important.
The CRI, or colour rendering index, indicates just how accurate a light source is when it comes to showing the colours of an object. It is rated on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 considered the best. Most standard bulbs will show a CRI of 80.
Anything above 90 is considered to have a high CRI and is preferable in art galleries, museums and retail stores.
Do Different LED Colour Temperatures Affect the Lumen Output and the Meaning of Lumens?
Colour temperature and lumens should not be confused with each another. Colour temperature indicates the colour of a light, while lumens indicate the brightness. The more lumens a light has, the brighter it will be.
In the past, watts were used to indicate the brightness of a light. With LED bulbs, it is the lumen count you'll need to pay attention to learn about the brightness.
Colour temperature with LED bulbs can indeed affect the lumen output. The higher the Kelvin unit, the brighter and whiter the light will be. With a low colour temperature, the light will usually be darker and more similar to candlelight.
How To Choose the Best Colour Temperature for the Interior of Your Home
As stated, many people prefer to have warm white LED lighting hues in their homes. Below, we offer a room by room breakdown of the best light colour temperature for each:
- The bedroom is thought to be the most relaxing and intimate space in the home. For this reason, warm, low lights are recommended. The recommended colour temperature for this room is between 2700k and 3000k.
- Bathroom spaces need to be a bit brighter than bedrooms and often benefit from cooler lights. This makes the space ideal for grooming and applying makeup. For best results, it is recommended that you use 3000k to 4000k in the bathroom.
- LIVING ROOM. Spaces meant for relaxing, the den and living room will also benefit from lower colour temperatures. Match your living room and bedroom lighting by choosing 2700k or 3000k warm white light.
- DINING ROOM. In this room, you want a light bright enough to easily see to eat while still being warm and inviting. Here, 2700k or 3000k warm white lighting is also applicable.
- Kitchen area - Since this room involves a lot of tasks like reading recipes, cooking and food prep, you want the lighting to be crisp and bright. The best option is a 3000k neutral white colour, though anywhere between 2700k and 4000k will do just fine.
Best LED Colour Temperatures for the Outside of the Home
Outdoor lighting is just as common as interior LED lights. Because the outdoor space has different functionalities and needs, the type of lighting you will choose for your outdoor space may differ from the indoor options.
When to use warm light outside:
The most common colour temperatures for exterior lighting tend to hover between 2500k and 4000k. Using warmer colours makes it more relaxing to spend time outside at night. It is recommended that you use 2500k to 2700k for architecture in the garden, and use cool temperatures like 3000k and 4000k for plants and trees.
Light entertainment and seating areas with warmer lighting make it more inviting for guests. Cool lighting here can make it harder to relax.
When to use cool light outside:
If you want to draw attention to the beauty of your garden, cooler light is generally recommended. Neutral white light between 3000k and 4000k is typically recommended. Plants tend to look more natural when they are illuminated by lights using a higher Kelvin rating, especially at night.
For those with security concerns and areas with security cameras, use cool light in the areas that you want to monitor. Not only will this allow camera footage to be easy to see, but it will also deter any intruders since the light will be bright and clear.
What Is the Best LED Colour Temperature for Offices?
The most commonly used colour temperature in offices tends to be brighter and cooler. Not only is this thought to boost the productivity of the employees, but it also adds a crisper and more cheerful feel that will leave workers feeling more enthusiastic and uplifted while going about their day.
Typically, it is recommended that you use 3000k to 6000k lighting in commercial offices. Most commonly, you will see 4000k light being used. By mimicking natural daylight in this way, it can make the office feel livelier and more natural. Studies have shown that these Kelvin ratings strike a good balance between warmth and brightness so as not to overwhelm your employees with light that is too bright or underestimate them with light that is too warm.
What Are the Best LED Colour Temperatures for Retail Stores?
Retail stores tend to require cooler, brighter light. This helps customers see the products on display more easily and in a more accurate manner. Customers want a shop that is well lit and attractive if they are to shop there often.
Choosing a colour temperature of around 6500k is ideal in these situations. This will set the mood for the store while keeping everything brightly lit and easy to see. It is also a good idea to choose a bulb with a high CRI or colour accuracy.
