Color temperature describes the visual tone of white light and is expressed in Kelvin (K). It does not tell you how physically hot a lamp is; it indicates whether light appears warm (yellowish) or cool (bluish white).

Common Kelvin ranges

  • 2700-3000 K: warm white, often preferred for living rooms and bedrooms.
  • 3500-4100 K: neutral white, common in offices and general indoor work areas.
  • 5000-6500 K: cool/daylight white, often used for precision tasks and high-clarity environments.

Choosing by use case

Lower Kelvin typically creates a relaxed atmosphere; higher Kelvin tends to feel more alert and clinical. Kitchens, workshops, and study desks often benefit from neutral to cooler light, while hospitality and residential areas often prefer warmer tones.

Remember that Kelvin describes color appearance, not brightness. For brightness and task performance you still need lumen and lux levels, and ideally suitable CRI for accurate color rendering.