Color Temperature of Light Bulbs
Definition of Color Temperature
The color temperature is a measurement that is used to define the color of a light source. This is also used to indicate the ‘whiteness’ or ‘warmness’ of a light source.
EagleLight LEDs are available in many levels of Kelvin color temperature. The descriptions used in this site for color temperature typically conform to the following:
- Warm White: 2700-3500 Kelvin: typical incandescent lightbulb
- Natural White: 4000-4500 Kelvin: typical retail space ‘white’ fluorescent lighting
- Day White: 5000-6000 Kelvin: used for high color definition - typical noon day sun in many parts of the world
- Cool / Commercial White: 6000-7000 Kelvin: used in many industrial and commercial application
Examples of Color Temperature
The following table offers a broader example of the types of color temperature:
| Color Temp |
Example of source |
| 1900K |
Candle light or sunlight at sunrise or sunset |
| 2000-2700K |
Often used as accent lighting to blend in with fluorescent 2700K applications. |
| 3000-3200K |
Used as a primary light source for retail applications. |
| 3700K |
Coated lamps. Used where a "softer" metal halide light source is desired. |
| 4000K |
Used in general lighting; factories: parking lots, warehouses |
| 5000-5500K |
Daylight lamps: horticulture, aquariums, high color definition. |
| 5600K |
Nominal sunlight (mid day during mid summer) |
| 6000K |
Starts to get a blue tint like some automotive headlights |
For the scientists: The color temperature of light is typically measured in degrees Kelvin or just Kelvin. This scale designates the light sources spectral distribution. The Kelvin scale is a temperature that is on the Celsius scale where 0 degrees Kelvin = -273 degrees Celsius. The Kelvin is the light emitted from a black body energy source at that given temperature. For more information, click here.