Practical Color Temperature
and Effects Chart

Color Temperature and Effects Chart. Most LED lights color temp is above 8000 Kelvin with a bluish hue effect. Many other light sources have broader temp and effect ranges. Summary chart.

Find practical light color temperatures and effects summarised in my comprehensive table below. Color rendering is the combined effect of the properties of the various light source and the reflective material. Out of that two I will focus on the properties light sources so you can compare them to LED light.

Use this table to determing the proper color temp of your light source. It is quite vital for planning the actual color rendering effects.

As you can see the effect you'll create will not be accidental. It will be determined in large part by the light source you choose.

Color Temperature Use and Effects Chart
KELVIN temp	Type / Color	Use / Tone	Note
High pressure sodium
1800-2200	Warm yellow amber	Streetlights	Just stuff to know and forget :)
Fluorescents
3000	Warm color also	Accent only, not for ambient, for area lit with cooler ambient	Can make room seem smaller, skin yellow
3500	White	Similar above	Will make lit items / inventory color shift
3700-3900	Natural, Clean pinkish	Fading from market	For meat display
4100	Cool white	Green yellow hue, Poor color rendering	Makes flesh grayish
5000-5500	Full spectrum	Close to noon yellow sunlight, Good color rendering	Bright and crisp
5500-6800	Full spectrum	Closest to noon sunlight but deficient in red hue	Lower light output than above, may turn greenish after some use
6500	Full spectrum	Closest to daylight
7300	Colors "pop"- even reds.	Skylight effect. Accurate color rendition across the full rainbow.	Contrasts well with halogen spots to create highlights that stand out. Enhanced visual accuity.
LED
8000- (Most LEDs)	Blue spectrum	Light therapy	Light is eaten up by dark surfaces, can't be seen in the dark
10000	Natural with blue hue	Cloudy day light	Color rendering shifts to blue to dark blue

Related Articles, Resources, Products

http://www.3drender.com/glossary/colortemp.htm

http://www.sizes.com/home/fluorescents.htm

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Practical Color Temperature and Effects Chart

Practical Color Temperature
and Effects Chart