What is color temperature and why is it important?

Color temperature measures the warmth or coolness of light in Kelvin (K). It's crucial for photography, lighting design, and creating the right mood in spaces. Warm temperatures (1800-3000K) create cozy, intimate atmospheres, while cool temperatures (5000K+) provide bright, energizing light ideal for task work and concentration.

How accurate is the Kelvin to RGB conversion?

Our calculator uses industry-standard approximation algorithms based on CIE color matching functions. The conversion from Kelvin to RGB is highly accurate and widely used in photography and lighting design. However, RGB to Kelvin conversion is more complex and our tool provides reasonable approximations based on dominant color analysis.

What's the difference between color temperature and color tint?

Color temperature (Kelvin) describes the overall warmth or coolness of white light, from warm orange-red to cool blue-white. Color tint refers to subtle shifts within a temperature range (greenish or magenta tints). Color temperature is about the fundamental nature of the light source, while tint is about small variations from the ideal white point.

Which color temperature is best for different rooms?

Living rooms and bedrooms: 2700-3000K (warm, cozy). Kitchens and bathrooms: 3000-4000K (neutral, clean). Home offices and study areas: 3500-5000K (bright, focused). Garages and workshops: 5000-6500K (cool, detailed work). Dining rooms: 2700K (intimate, warm). Avoid mixing temperatures dramatically within the same space.

Can I use this for LED light selection?

Absolutely! Use our tool to understand the color temperature of different LED bulbs before purchasing. Look for specifications like '2700K (Warm White)' or '5000K (Daylight)' and use our presets to see exactly how these will appear in your space. This is especially useful when selecting dimmable LEDs or smart bulbs with adjustable color temperature.

How does color temperature affect photography?

Color temperature affects the color cast in your photos. Daylight is around 5500K, tungsten bulbs around 3200K, and candles around 1800K. Setting your camera's white balance to match the lighting conditions ensures natural skin tones and accurate colors. Many cameras have presets for different lighting scenarios, or you can set custom white balance using known reference points.

Color Temperature Calculator

Convert between color temperature (Kelvin) and RGB values. Understand warm vs cool lighting, get RGB/HEX codes, and learn about color temperature characteristics for photography, lighting design, and visual applications.

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Quick Presets

Common color temperatures for quick analysis

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Enter color temperature in Kelvin or RGB values.

Color Temperature (Kelvin)

Range: 1000K (warm) to 40000K (cool)

How it works: Converts color temperature in Kelvin to its corresponding RGB color using Tanner Helland's algorithm. Lower temperatures (1000K) produce warm reds, while higher temperatures (10000K+) produce cool blues.

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