Colour Temperature Table

Kelvin ranges for warm white, neutral white and cool white lighting in Australian rooms and work areas.

Extra warm white
2,200-2,700 K
Warm white
2,700-3,000 K
Neutral white
3,500-4,000 K
Cool white
4,000-5,000 K
Daylight or very cool white
5,000-6,500 K
Colour temperature appearance bandsColour temperature records white appearance for a defined group while lux and CRI remain separate checks.
Table PDFColour Temperature Table

Download the table with the page URL and retrieval date for offline lighting checks.

Kelvin rangeAppearanceCommon planning contextTechnical note
2,200-2,700 KExtra warm whiteLow-level ambience, bedrooms and hospitality mood lighting.Can look amber; verify task visibility where reading or preparation occurs.
2,700-3,000 KWarm whiteLiving rooms, bedrooms, dining areas and many residential downlights.Often selected for comfort, but output and glare still matter.
3,500-4,000 KNeutral whiteKitchens, bathrooms, laundries, offices and work benches.A practical middle band where colour appearance should stay fairly neutral.
4,000-5,000 KCool whiteGarages, workshops, task areas and some commercial interiors.Can feel clinical in homes if the layout has high contrast or glare.
5,000-6,500 KDaylight or very cool whiteInspection, utility and high-alertness tasks.Use carefully; higher CCT does not automatically mean better lighting.

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