Color Temperature

What is color temperature, and how is it used?

Color Temperature= is a measurement to indicate the amount of blue or red light produced by a light source, and is measured in kelvins.

Color temperature is typically used when dealing with whites to indicate what color a fixture will produce. For instance, a higher color temperature would produce a bluer white, while a lower temperature would produce a yellow/orange light. So color temperature is definitely extremely important now that the market is flooded with LEDs that produce an uncomfortable blue/white.

Examples of Typical Measurements

A Candle ≈ 2,000 kelvins 

Warm White= 2,800-3,000 kelvins

A Neutral Color ≈ 3,500 kelvins

Cold White= 4,200-4,000 kelvins

Daylight ≈ 5,000 kelvins

Common Range (from fixtures) = 3,000-4,100 kelvins

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Boring Technical Info 

So the temperature part of Color Temperature’s name comes from the fact of how metal workers can judge the temperature of heated metal based on the color it is glowing, and the odd fact that the same system works extraordinarily well when dealing with a spectrum of white colors. So the kelvin temperature of metal at that color corresponds to Color Temperatures kelvin measurement, since it is not an actual measurement of temperature. The ironic fact is that warmer coolers actually have a cooler color temperature. 

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Ideal Uses 

Warm White is for living, Cold is for tasks.

Warm White is relaxing and cozy, like curling up on a lazy Saturday morning on a favorite couch to read. So it is the choice for communal spaces, and homes. The ideal light to fill your living rooms and kitchens, or a commercial space, like a restaurant. 

But as everyone knows, cozy is not always the most useful feeling when it comes to getting work done. Higher Color Temperatures promote focus, and are good for schools, task lights, and office spaces. 

Thanks for reading!