Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in lighting, photography, videography, publishing, manufacturing, astrophysics and other fields. The color temperature of a light source is the temperature of an ideal black-body radiator that radiates light of comparable hue to that light source. The temperature is conventionally stated in units of absolute temperature, known as Kelvin (K).

Understanding the color of light, also known as Kelvin temperature (K), can make it easier for you to choose lighting that will give you the effect you want.

Higher color temperatures (4600K or more) are called daylight colors which appear blue-white.

Mid-range color temperatures (3100K–4600K) look cool white.

Lower color temperatures (up to 3000K) are called warm white colors and range from red to yellowish-white in tone.