Color Temperature Converter -- Kelvin to RGB

Color Temperature to RGB

Drag the slider or type a Kelvin value to see the corresponding RGB color. Use the preset buttons for common lighting scenarios.

Common Color Temperatures Reference

This table shows typical color temperatures for common light sources. Use it to set white balance or match lighting in photography and video.

How Kelvin to RGB Conversion Works

Color temperature describes the hue of light emitted by an ideal black body radiator heated to a given temperature in Kelvin. As the temperature increases, the emitted light shifts from deep red through orange, yellow, white, and finally into blue.

The algorithm used here is based on Tanner Helland's approximation of the Planckian locus, which maps Kelvin values to sRGB coordinates. It divides the spectrum into two regimes:

• Below ~6600K: Red is at maximum (255), green increases logarithmically, and blue rises from zero.
• Above ~6600K: Blue is at maximum (255), red and green decrease based on a power function.

This is an approximation of CIE color science for practical display use. Actual light sources have spectral power distributions that vary from the ideal black body model, so the RGB values are representative rather than physically exact.

Use Cases

Photography and Videography

Understanding color temperature is essential for setting correct white balance. When your camera's white balance matches the scene's color temperature, whites appear neutral. Mismatched settings create color casts -- too warm (orange) or too cool (blue). Many photographers deliberately shift white balance for creative effect.

Lighting Design

Interior designers and architects choose LED and fluorescent bulbs by color temperature. Residential spaces typically use 2700-3000K (warm white) for comfort, while offices and retail spaces use 3500-5000K (neutral to cool white) for alertness and color accuracy.

Display Calibration

Monitor calibration tools use color temperature to set the white point. The sRGB standard uses D65 (6500K) as the reference white point. Photographers editing for print may calibrate to D50 (5000K) to match proofing light booths.

Film and Video Production

Film and video crews balance lighting sources to avoid mixed color temperatures. Tungsten lights (3200K) and daylight (5500K) require CTO (Color Temperature Orange) or CTB (Color Temperature Blue) gels to match. LED panels with adjustable color temperature have largely replaced gel-based workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is color temperature?

Color temperature is a way to describe the color appearance of light, measured in Kelvin (K). It is based on the concept of a black body radiator -- a theoretical object that absorbs all radiation and emits light based solely on its temperature. Lower Kelvin values produce warm (reddish) light, while higher values produce cool (bluish) light.

Why do lower Kelvin values look warmer?

This is counterintuitive: physically hotter objects emit bluer light, but we perceive reddish-orange tones as "warm" and blue tones as "cool" based on psychological association (fire vs. ice). So 2700K is called "warm white" and 6500K is called "cool white" even though the Kelvin number is lower for warm.

What color temperature should I use for home lighting?

Most homes use 2700-3000K (warm white) in living rooms and bedrooms for a cozy feel. Kitchens and bathrooms often use 3500-4000K (neutral white) for better visibility. Home offices benefit from 4000-5000K (cool white) to reduce eye strain and improve focus.

How accurate is the RGB approximation?

The Kelvin-to-RGB algorithm is a widely used approximation that closely matches the perceived color of black body radiation on an sRGB display. It is accurate enough for visualization, white balance reference, and lighting design, but it does not replace spectroradiometric measurement for scientific applications.

What is the difference between CCT and color temperature?

CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) is the Kelvin temperature of the black body radiator that most closely matches a given light source's chromaticity. Real light sources (LEDs, fluorescents) are not perfect black bodies, so CCT is an approximation of their apparent color. For practical purposes, CCT and color temperature are used interchangeably.

Does this tool store my data?

No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, and nothing is stored.

Privacy & Limitations

Privacy: This converter runs entirely in your browser. No data is transmitted or stored.

Limitations: The RGB values are an approximation based on the Planckian locus algorithm for sRGB displays. Actual light source spectra vary from ideal black body radiation. Color perception also depends on your display calibration and ambient lighting. For critical color work, use a calibrated monitor and spectroradiometer.

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Color Temperature Converter FAQ