Color Temperature Calculator
Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that describes the hue of a light source. It is measured in Kelvin (K) and is based on the concept of a black body radiator: as an ideal object is heated, it emits light that changes color from red to orange to white to blue. Lower color temperatures (2000-3000 K) appear warm (yellow/orange), while higher temperatures (5000-7000 K) appear cool (blue).
Color temperature affects the mood and accuracy of visual media. In photography and videography, correct white balance ensures colors are rendered naturally. In lighting design, it sets the ambiance of a space. Understanding color temperature helps professionals choose the right light sources and make creative decisions.
Key color temperature concepts:
- Kelvin (K): Absolute unit of temperature used to quantify color.
- Mired: Micro-reciprocal degrees = 1,000,000 / Kelvin; used for filter calculations.
- White balance: Camera adjustment to make white objects appear neutral under given light.
- Correlated color temperature (CCT): The Kelvin value that best matches a non‑black‑body light source.
This calculator offers three modes for working with color temperature:
- Kelvin → Mired: Enter Kelvin to get the corresponding mired value (used for filter selection).
- Mired → Kelvin: Enter mired to get back to Kelvin.
- Kelvin → RGB: Get an approximate RGB color for the given Kelvin (useful for design preview).
The calculator provides:
- Accurate conversions between Kelvin and mired.
- Approximate RGB color using black body radiation formulas (for Kelvin between 1000 and 40000).
- Color swatch preview in Kelvin→RGB mode.
- Common light source presets for quick reference.
Typical color temperatures of various light sources:
| Light Source | Kelvin (K) | Mired (MK⁻¹) | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candle flame | 1850 | 541 | Warm orange |
| Incandescent bulb | 2700 | 370 | Warm white |
| Halogen lamp | 3000 | 333 | Warm white |
| Sunrise/sunset | 3200 | 313 | Golden |
| Fluorescent (cool) | 4000 | 250 | Neutral white |
| Daylight (noon) | 5500 | 182 | White |
| Overcast sky | 6500 | 154 | Cool white |
| Shade (clear sky) | 7500 | 133 | Bluish |
| North sky light | 10000 | 100 | Blue |
Warm (2000-3000 K): Intimate, cozy – living rooms, restaurants.
Neutral (3500-4500 K): Task lighting – offices, retail.
Cool (5000-6500 K): Alert, daylight – hospitals, photography.
Very cool (>6500 K): Clinical, sometimes used in aquariums.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about color temperature:
Mired = 1,000,000 / Kelvin. Kelvin = 1,000,000 / Mired. This is exact.
Example: 5500 K → Mired = 1e6 / 5500 ≈ 181.8 ≈ 182 MK⁻¹.
182 MK⁻¹ → Kelvin = 1e6 / 182 ≈ 5495 K.
The RGB approximation uses a black body radiation model and is reasonably accurate for visualizing the hue. However, actual light sources may have different spectral power distributions, so the exact RGB may differ. It's intended for design preview, not scientific color matching.
For living areas, warmer (2700-3000 K) creates a cozy feel. For kitchens and bathrooms, neutral (3500-4500 K) is common. For workspaces, cooler (5000-6500 K) can improve alertness. Dimmers and tunable lights allow flexibility.
White balance adjusts colors so that white objects appear neutral. You can use camera presets (daylight, cloudy, tungsten) or set a custom Kelvin value. For accuracy, use a gray card or color meter. Our calculator helps you understand the Kelvin numbers.