Fluorescent Light Bulb Color Temperature Chart

Kelvin color temperature scale explained the kelvin color temperature scale is used to describe the way various light temperatures appear visually.

Fluorescent light bulb color temperature chart.

Virtually all light bulbs or lighting fixtures that come with bulbs included will reference on the package which kelvin color temperature is. Color rendering index cri a term used to describe the extent to which an artificial light source is able to render the true color of objects as seen by natural outdoor sunlight which has a cri of 100 and color temperature which expresses the color appearance of the light itself. It is measured in degrees on a kelvin scale k and typically ranges from 2700 5000 degrees kelvin. Light bulb color temperature is represented in the unit of absolute temperature kelvin noted by the symbol k.

Soft white 2700k 3000k bright white cool white 3500k 4100k and daylight 5000k 6500k. 741 or 941 would indicate 4100k the color temperature is usually labeled on the bulb or the package. Color temperature is a description of the warmth or coolness of a light source. How to choose the right kelvin color temperature.

Household fixtures are commonly found in color temperatures on the kelvin scale of 2700k warm incandescent 3000k warm white halogen and 3500k household fluorescent. When a piece of metal is heated the color of light it emits will change. Fluorescent tubes might contain a 730 or 830 number indicating a color temperature of 3000k. The lower color temperatures before 3000k on the color temperature chart represent warm lights which appear more orange red like a fire light at the 2700k and became less yellow gold from 3000k to 3500k to make it more clear the color temperature of candlelight is about 2000k and halogen lights are around 2800k.

These lights are bright and offer no favor to the warm or cool side of the kelvin scale. This color begins as red in appearance and graduates to orange yellow white and then blue white to deeper colors of blue. Light color or color temperature is measured using the kelvin scale. The range of color temperature.

The higher the degrees kelvin the whiter the color temperature. Leds are available in warm colors low k to match the yellowish light of incandescent bulbs but you can also choose cooler colors high k with whiter or bluer light. The surface temperature of incandescent light bulbs varies from 150 to more than 250 degrees whereas compact fluorescent light bulbs have a surface temperature of 100 degrees fahrenheit. There are two standard measurements for the color characteristics of light.

At 3500k and up to 4300k you find fluorescent lights. If proper color temperature is important avoid buying fluorescent and led bulbs that don t indicate the color temperature. You will find this color temperature in cooking kitchens retail stores and daytime offices. Compact fluorescent light bulbs typically last longer than incandescent bulbs and vary in color temperatures.