Colour Temperature Chart: 2700K to 6500K and Where to Use Each
A colour temperature chart for lighting: what kelvin means, how 2700K to 6500K look, daylight comparisons, CCT vs CRI, and which to choose for homes, offices, streets and sports.
Key points
- Colour temperature, in kelvin (K), describes how warm or cool white light looks: lower numbers are warmer, higher are cooler.
- 2700–3000K suits homes, hotels and restaurants; 4000K offices, schools and shops; 5000–6500K industrial, sports and some outdoor uses.
- Correlated colour temperature (CCT) is not the same as colour rendering (CRI); a light can be the right colour but show colours poorly.
- Many cities now limit street lighting to 3000K or lower to reduce glare and effects on wildlife.
Two LED lamps can give the same lumens and use the same watts yet look completely different: one cosy and yellowish, the other crisp and bluish. The difference is colour temperature. Choosing it well is one of the cheapest ways to make a space feel right.
The chart
| Kelvin | Name | Looks like | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,800–2,200K | Amber / candle | Candlelight, sodium street lights | Wildlife-sensitive areas, ambience |
| 2,700K | Warm white | Incandescent bulb | Homes, bedrooms, hotels |
| 3,000K | Warm white | Halogen | Living areas, restaurants, residential streets |
| 3,500K | Neutral-warm | Between warm and neutral | Retail, receptions |
| 4,000K | Neutral / cool white | Fluorescent office light | Offices, schools, shops, warehouses |
| 5,000K | Daylight | Midday sun | Industrial, sports, car parks, inspection |
| 6,000–6,500K | Cool daylight | Overcast sky | Hospitals, labs, some industrial, displays |
Natural light for comparison
| Source | Approximate CCT |
|---|---|
| Candle flame | 1,800–1,900K |
| High pressure sodium lamp | 2,000–2,200K |
| Incandescent bulb | 2,700K |
| Halogen | 2,800–3,200K |
| Sunrise / sunset | 2,000–3,000K |
| Midday sun | 5,000–5,500K |
| Overcast sky | 6,500–7,500K |
| Blue sky shade | 10,000K and above |
How colour temperature affects a space
- Warm (2700–3000K): relaxing, flattering for skin and wood, good for evening use
- Neutral (3500–4000K): clear, natural for work, good colour balance
- Cool (5000–6500K): alert, high contrast, can feel harsh in living spaces
People often perceive cooler light as brighter at the same lux, which is one reason cool white became popular in industry. Comfort, though, usually favours neutral or warm light where people stay for long periods.
Recommendations by application
| Application | Suggested CCT |
|---|---|
| Homes, hotel rooms | 2700–3000K |
| Restaurants, lounges | 2700–3000K |
| Offices, classrooms | 4000K |
| Hospitals (wards) | 3000–4000K |
| Hospitals (examination, operating) | 4000–5000K, high CRI |
| Shops (general) | 3000–4000K |
| Supermarkets (fresh produce) | 3000–4000K with high CRI |
| Warehouses, factories | 4000–5000K |
| Sports halls and fields | 4000–5700K |
| Residential streets | 2700–3000K |
| Main roads, motorways | 3000–4000K |
| Car parks | 3000–4000K |
| Parks and heritage areas | 2200–3000K |
Our LED panel lights come in 3000–6000K for offices and schools; street lights such as the modular LED street light are available in 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000K.
CCT is not CRI
| Colour temperature (CCT) | Colour rendering (CRI / Ra) | |
|---|---|---|
| Describes | Colour of the light | How true colours look under it |
| Unit | Kelvin | Index, 0–100 |
| Example | 4000K neutral white | Ra 80 means good, Ra 90+ excellent |
A cheap 4000K LED with Ra 70 can make skin look grey and red products dull. For retail, hospitality, healthcare and art, ask for Ra 90.
Street lighting and colour temperature
Early LED street lights were often 5000–6000K, which caused complaints about glare and harsh light. Many cities now specify 3000K or even 2200–2700K in residential and natural areas, to reduce glare, sky glow and effects on insects, bats and birds. Main roads may still use 4000K where good visibility matters most.
Tunable and switchable CCT
- CCT-switchable fittings let installers choose 3000, 4000 or 5000K on site with a switch, which simplifies stock
- Tunable white changes colour temperature through the day, used in offices, schools and care homes
- Dim-to-warm lamps get warmer as they dim, like incandescent
Consistency matters
Mixing colour temperatures in one space looks like a mistake. Order all fittings for a project from the same batch and specify the colour tolerance (for example within a 3-step or 5-step MacAdam ellipse) for consistent appearance.
Light output and CCT
At the same power, cooler LEDs are often slightly more efficient (more lumens per watt) than warm ones, typically by 5–10%. The difference is small compared with comfort, so choose CCT for the space, then check lumens. For converting lumens and watts, see our lumens to watts chart.
Photography and video
Cameras need consistent colour temperature to avoid colour casts. Sports halls, studios and shops that film or stream should use one CCT throughout, with high CRI and flicker-free drivers.
Colour temperature and health
Light affects alertness and sleep. Cooler, bluer light in the morning and daytime supports alertness; warmer light in the evening is gentler before sleep. That is why care homes, hospitals and some offices use tunable white systems that shift from about 5000K in the morning to 3000K or lower in the evening. At home, warm white in bedrooms and living rooms and neutral white in kitchens and workspaces is a simple rule.
Choosing for outdoor projects
For outdoor projects, consider the surroundings as well as the task. Warm white looks natural with brick, wood and planting; neutral white suits glass and steel buildings, car parks and sports. Near homes, protected habitats and observatories, warmer light and shielded fittings are increasingly required. Check local rules before ordering, because some cities now set limits in their lighting policies.
Quick guide by question
- Want it cosy? 2700K.
- Want it clean but not cold? 3000–3500K.
- Working or studying? 4000K.
- Inspecting, playing sport or filming? 5000K and high CRI.
- Lighting a street near homes? 3000K or lower, shielded.
When in doubt, ask for samples of two colour temperatures and look at them in the real space at night.
Ordering
Tell us the space, the mood you want and any city or client requirements on colour temperature. We will propose fittings with matching CCT and CRI across the project.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What colour temperature is daylight?
Midday sunlight is about 5,000–5,500K; an overcast sky is around 6,500K or higher; sunrise and sunset are about 2,000–3,000K. 'Daylight' lamps are usually 5000–6500K.
Is 3000K or 4000K better?
3000K is warmer and more relaxing, suited to homes, hotels, restaurants and residential streets. 4000K is neutral white and suits offices, schools, shops, warehouses and most commercial spaces. Neither is better; they suit different places.
What is correlated colour temperature?
Correlated colour temperature (CCT) is the temperature of a theoretical black body whose light colour is closest to the lamp's. Because LEDs and fluorescent lamps do not glow like a hot object, their colour is described by the closest match, hence 'correlated'.