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Light Bulb Colour Temperatures

To help understand it all, this page has some useful details to guide you through it.

How it all works

  • All fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent and energy saving lamps are available in different colour renditions, or burning temperatures measured in Kelvin.
  • Colour temperature is a standard method of describing colours for use in a range of situations and with different equipment. Colour temperatures are normally expressed in units called kelvins (K). Note that the term degrees kelvin is often used but is not technically correct.
  • For example an energy saving lamp with a colour temperature of 3500K burns at 3500 Kelvin this colour is known as white. There is a high demand nowadays for daylight lamps which burn at a temperature of 6500K, these lamps are often used to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
  • View the chart of colour temperatures below, and if you are unsure of the lamp you require please email us on sales@bltdirect.com or speak to one of our friendly experts on 01473 716418.

Colour Temperatures In Kelvin

A chart illustrating the colour of light given off by light bulbs ranging from 1000-10000 Kelvin

Light Bulb Colour Temperatures Explained


Full Reference Chart

Colour Reference Colour Colour Temperature CRI Ra
Colour 29 Warm White 2700 51
Colour 827 Very Warm Triphosphor 2700 85
Colour 30 Warm White 3000 54
Colour 83 Warm White 3000 85
Colour 129 Warm White 3000 53
Colour 830 Warm White Triphosphor 3000 85
Colour 930 Very Warm Triphosphor 3000 95
Colour 23 White 3500 56
Colour 35 White 3500 58
Colour 135 White 3500 57
Colour 835 White Triphosphor 3500 85
Gourmet 175 Special 3700 88
Colour 20 Cool White 4000 67
Colour 33 Cool White 4000 62
Colour 84 Cool White 4000 85
Colour 133 Cool White 4000 64
Colour 840 Cool White Triphosphor 4000 85
Colour 940 Cool White Triphosphor 4000 95
Colour 11 Daylight 6500
Colour 54 Daylight 6500 76
Colour 950 Daylight Triphosphor 6500 95