Color Temperature Chart
Color temperature describes whether a light looks warm (orange) or cool (blue), measured in kelvin (K). Lower numbers are warmer; higher numbers are cooler. Drag the slider below to see how each kelvin value looks, where you find it, and when to use it.
Color temperature chart (kelvin reference)
| Kelvin | Appearance | Typical source | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1500–1900K | Deep warm / amber | Candlelight, match flame | Intimate, cozy mood |
| 2000–2700K | Warm white | Sunrise/sunset, incandescent bulb | Golden-hour look, portraits |
| 2700–3200K | Soft warm | Tungsten, halogen, warm LED | Cozy interiors, film tungsten look |
| 3500–4500K | Neutral white | Fluorescent, neutral LED | Offices, mixed lighting, balance |
| 5000–5600K | Daylight / pure white | Midday sun, electronic flash | Accurate color, product & video |
| 6000–6500K | Cool white | Overcast daylight, cool LED | Crisp, clinical, tech look |
| 7000–10000K | Cool blue | Open shade, blue sky | Cold, moody, moonlight effect |
Warm vs. cool: how to choose
Match your light's color temperature to the mood you want and to the other light in the scene. Mixing a warm 3000K lamp with cool 6000K daylight from a window creates an orange/blue color cast, so either match them or use them intentionally. For photo and video where accurate color matters, most creators work around 5000–5600K (daylight); for a warm, flattering portrait look, 2700–3500K is common.
Color temperature FAQ
What is color temperature?
Color temperature describes how warm or cool a light source looks, measured in kelvin (K). Lower values (2000–3000K) look warm and orange, higher values (5500–6500K) look cool and blue, and around 5000–5600K is neutral daylight.
What color temperature is best for photography?
Most photographers work around 5000–5600K (daylight) for accurate, true-to-color results. For a warm, flattering portrait look, 2700–3500K is common. A bi-color LED light lets you set any value across that range.
What is the difference between warm and cool light?
Warm light (below about 3500K) has an orange, cozy feel and flatters skin, while cool light (above about 5000K) looks crisp, clean and clinical. Matching your light's color temperature to the rest of the scene avoids unwanted orange or blue color casts.
Why bi-color lighting makes this easy
A fixed-temperature light locks you into one look. A bi-color LED lets you dial any value across the range on this chart, so you can match daylight from a window, warm up a portrait, or hold a consistent white across a whole shoot. Harlowe's bi-color LED lights tune from roughly 2700K to 6500K, covering nearly every point on this scale, so you shape color temperature to the scene instead of fighting it.
