What is color temperature in lighting?

Color temperature describes the hue of a light source, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower values (1800–3000K) appear warm orange-yellow like candlelight or incandescent bulbs. Higher values (5000–6500K) appear cool blue-white like daylight or overcast sky. The term comes from physics: a black body radiator glows different colors as it heats up — red at lower temperatures, white and blue at higher temperatures. Lighting manufacturers use it to describe LED and fluorescent bulbs.

What is the difference between warm white and cool white?

Warm white (2700–3000K) has a yellow-orange tint that creates a cozy, relaxing atmosphere — ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and restaurants. Cool white (4000–5000K) has a neutral to slightly blue-white tint that improves alertness and is suitable for kitchens, offices, and workspaces. Daylight (5500–6500K) mimics outdoor sunlight and is used for photography, video, and detailed tasks. For home lighting, 2700K or 3000K is the most common recommendation for living areas.

What Kelvin value is "daylight"?

Natural daylight varies throughout the day: sunrise/sunset is ~2000–3000K (warm orange), midday sun is ~5500–6000K (neutral white), overcast sky is ~6500–7500K (cool blue-white), and clear blue sky shade is ~10000K+. Photographers set their camera white balance to 5500K for outdoor midday shots. Camera sensors and monitors are often calibrated to 6500K (D65) — the standard for sRGB color space. "Daylight" bulbs are typically labeled 5000–6500K.

How is color temperature converted to RGB?

The conversion uses Tanner Helland's piecewise approximation of a blackbody radiator's spectral emission curve. The algorithm divides the calculation into separate piecewise functions for red, green, and blue channels based on whether the temperature is above or below 6600K (66 × 100). The formulas use polynomial approximations fitted to measured data. The result is an approximate RGB that represents how a light source of that color temperature would appear to the human eye — not an exact physical measurement.

What color temperature should I use for a computer monitor?

Most monitors are factory-calibrated to 6500K (D65), the standard for sRGB content. For general use, 6500K provides accurate color rendering. For night/evening use, reducing to 5000–5500K reduces blue light content and may ease eye strain. Apps like f.lux or Night Shift shift monitor color temperature to 2700–4000K in the evening. For photography and print work, 5000K (D50) is the standard for viewing conditions when color matching between display and print.

How does color temperature affect mood and productivity?

Warm light (2700–3000K) promotes relaxation and melatonin production — good for evenings and sleep preparation. Neutral white (3500–4100K) is comfortable for extended work without excessive stimulation. Cool white and daylight (5000–6500K) suppresses melatonin, increases alertness and focus — better for daytime work, task lighting, and morning routines. Studies show workers under 5000K+ lighting report higher alertness. For bedrooms, use 2700K and avoid blue light (5000K+) at least 1–2 hours before sleep.

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Color Temperature Converter

Color temperature in Kelvin describes the hue of light: 1800K (candlelight, deep amber), 2700K (incandescent, warm yellow-white), 3000K (warm white LED), 4000K (neutral white), 5500K (daylight, neutral), 6500K (overcast sky, cool blue-white). Monitors are calibrated to 6500K (D65 standard). For comfortable evening lighting use 2700–3000K; for task lighting use 4000–5500K. Lower K = warmer/orange; higher K = cooler/blue.

Convert color temperature in Kelvin to RGB, HEX, and HSL color values. See a live color preview at any Kelvin value from 1000K (candlelight) to 40000K (blue sky). Includes presets for common light sources: candle, incandescent, warm white, daylight, and overcast sky.

Works OfflineDark ModeNo Ads

Color Temperature

5,500KCool — Bright cool white

Color Values

HEX#FFEDDE

RGBrgb(255, 237, 222)

HSLhsl(27, 100%, 94%)

CSS filterbrightness(94%) hue-rotate(27deg)

Color Temperature Reference

Range (K)	Light source	Appearance	Use case
1000–2000K	Candlelight, fire	Very warm, amber-red	Mood, accent lighting
2700–3000K	Incandescent / halogen	Warm white	Living rooms, bedrooms
3500–4100K	Warm fluorescent, LED	Neutral white	Kitchens, offices
5000–5500K	Bright daylight	Cool white / bright	Task lighting, studios
6000–6500K	Overcast sky, monitors	Cool daylight	Video, photography
7000–10000K	Blue sky (shade)	Very cool blue	Photography shade adjustment

How to Use

1
Enter a Kelvin value
Type a color temperature in Kelvin (1000–40000) in the input field, or drag the slider from 1000K to 12000K. Common values: 2700K (warm incandescent), 5500K (daylight), 6500K (monitor standard).
2
Use a preset
Click any preset button — Candle (1800K), Incandescent (2700K), Warm White (3000K), Neutral White (4000K), Cool White (5000K), Daylight (5500K), Overcast (6500K), or Blue Sky (10000K) — to jump to that value instantly.
3
View the color preview
The large swatch shows the actual color that corresponds to that color temperature. The warmth label (Very Warm, Warm, Neutral, Cool, Very Cool) describes the tone.
4
Copy color values
Copy the HEX, RGB, or HSL value individually using the Copy buttons next to each. Use the main Copy button to get all values at once for use in design tools or CSS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is color temperature in lighting?: Color temperature describes the hue of a light source, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower values (1800–3000K) appear warm orange-yellow like candlelight or incandescent bulbs. Higher values (5000–6500K) appear cool blue-white like daylight or overcast sky. The term comes from physics: a black body radiator glows different colors as it heats up — red at lower temperatures, white and blue at higher temperatures. Lighting manufacturers use it to describe LED and fluorescent bulbs.
What is the difference between warm white and cool white?: Warm white (2700–3000K) has a yellow-orange tint that creates a cozy, relaxing atmosphere — ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and restaurants. Cool white (4000–5000K) has a neutral to slightly blue-white tint that improves alertness and is suitable for kitchens, offices, and workspaces. Daylight (5500–6500K) mimics outdoor sunlight and is used for photography, video, and detailed tasks. For home lighting, 2700K or 3000K is the most common recommendation for living areas.
What Kelvin value is "daylight"?: Natural daylight varies throughout the day: sunrise/sunset is ~2000–3000K (warm orange), midday sun is ~5500–6000K (neutral white), overcast sky is ~6500–7500K (cool blue-white), and clear blue sky shade is ~10000K+. Photographers set their camera white balance to 5500K for outdoor midday shots. Camera sensors and monitors are often calibrated to 6500K (D65) — the standard for sRGB color space. "Daylight" bulbs are typically labeled 5000–6500K.
How is color temperature converted to RGB?: The conversion uses Tanner Helland's piecewise approximation of a blackbody radiator's spectral emission curve. The algorithm divides the calculation into separate piecewise functions for red, green, and blue channels based on whether the temperature is above or below 6600K (66 × 100). The formulas use polynomial approximations fitted to measured data. The result is an approximate RGB that represents how a light source of that color temperature would appear to the human eye — not an exact physical measurement.
What color temperature should I use for a computer monitor?: Most monitors are factory-calibrated to 6500K (D65), the standard for sRGB content. For general use, 6500K provides accurate color rendering. For night/evening use, reducing to 5000–5500K reduces blue light content and may ease eye strain. Apps like f.lux or Night Shift shift monitor color temperature to 2700–4000K in the evening. For photography and print work, 5000K (D50) is the standard for viewing conditions when color matching between display and print.
How does color temperature affect mood and productivity?: Warm light (2700–3000K) promotes relaxation and melatonin production — good for evenings and sleep preparation. Neutral white (3500–4100K) is comfortable for extended work without excessive stimulation. Cool white and daylight (5000–6500K) suppresses melatonin, increases alertness and focus — better for daytime work, task lighting, and morning routines. Studies show workers under 5000K+ lighting report higher alertness. For bedrooms, use 2700K and avoid blue light (5000K+) at least 1–2 hours before sleep.