LED Bulb Color Temperature (CCT - Correlated Color Temperature)

While all landscape lighting uses white light sources, some of these sources have a warm hue (more yellow), others have a cool hue (more blue). This variation in yellowish or bluish hue is what determines color temperature.

Color temperature is expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). A warm white light might be 2700K – 3000K. A cool white source might be 4000K to 4500K. See the chart below for examples of varying color temperatures.

How do you select landscape lighting color temperature?

• If you already have lighting on your property, you may want to keep the same color temperature throughout. (It can look strange to use different color temperatures among nearby lights.)

• 2700K: Most commonly used in landscape lighting (very warm and welcoming).

• 3000K: Preferred by some because they like the cooler look especially when lighting vegetation.

• 4000K: Sometimes used for downlights from trees, because it is similar in color to moonlight. Others prefer warmer colors for those lights.

• 2200K: Very warm (similar to candlelight) and can be used for special romantic effects in patio or deck settings. This light is also close to the color of sodium lamps used in some streetlights – so designers may want to match that effect.