What Color Temperature Should I Use?

Colour temperature measures how ‘warm’ or ‘cold’ a light is, and it is something to consider when installing lighting. Using lights of different colour temperatures can drastically affect the mood of an installation within a given space. Xingtong Technology has written this guide to help you decide which temperature you’ll need depending on the application.

Warm White
Typically measuring at around 3000K, warm lighting is ideal in areas that need a “relaxing” feel to them, such as bedrooms, living areas and other residential areas. Due to the comfortable nature of 3000K luminaries, you experience less eyestrain over longer periods when compared to lights of a higher temperature.

Neutral Light
The colour of light averaging at around 4000K is Neutral Light and has more of a blue hue to it when compared to Warm Light. 4000K Luminaries are more suited for commercial areas like offices, corridors, and schools. However, LED lighting of this temperature can be installed in the largest variety of applications, as it can be considered a middle ground between colour temperatures.

Cold White
Luminaries that produce what’s referred to as Cold White are often 5500K and above in terms of colour temperature. These lights are used in outdoor and industrial applications, for example, in warehouses, car parks, production areas and highway. You’ll tend to find higher colour temperatures in locations that require brighter light or more focus from end-users. You’ll find that a 5500K lamp may be perceived as brighter than its 4000K counterpart, despite a similar lumen output.