The following table shows the correlated colour temperature of common light sources:
Color Temperature | Light Source |
1000-2000 K | Candlelight |
2500-3500 K | Tungsten Bulb (household variety) |
3000-4000 K | Sunrise/Sunset (clear sky) |
4000-5000 K | Fluorescent Lamps |
5000-5500 K | Electronic Flash |
5000-6500 K | Daylight with Clear Sky (sun overhead) |
6500-8000 K | Moderately Overcast Sky |
9000-10000 K
|
Shade or Heavily Overcast Sky
|
Here is a visual representation of the Kelvin temperature scale. Notice how lower temperatures are very warm, and following the color spectrum, increase in numeric value as they become cooler.
PDF: The Kelvin Temperature Scale