Color Temperature Tool

Color temperature describes the warmth or coolness of a light source, measured in Kelvin (K). Lower temperatures (1000-3000K) appear warm/orange like candlelight or incandescent bulbs. Mid-range temperatures (4000-6000K) appear neutral to cool white. Higher temperatures (7000-12000K) appear blue like overcast skies or clear blue daylight. It's essential for photography, lighting design, and achieving consistent color in visual work.

Select or input a color using the color picker. The tool estimates the color's temperature in Kelvin and displays it. Adjust the temperature slider (1000K-12000K) to shift the color warmer (lower K) or cooler (higher K). Use preset temperatures for common lighting conditions like Daylight (6500K), Warm White (3000K), or Blue Sky (10000K). Compare the original and adjusted colors side-by-side, then copy the result.

Temperature ranges have specific characteristics: 1000-2000K: Warm amber/orange (candle, fire), 2500-3500K: Warm white (incandescent bulbs, sunrise/sunset), 4000-5000K: Neutral/Cool white (fluorescent, noon sunlight), 5500-6500K: Daylight (midday sun, camera flash), 7000-8000K: Overcast daylight, 9000-12000K: Blue sky, shade. Lower is warmer/redder, higher is cooler/bluer.

Use warm temperatures (2500-3500K) for: cozy, intimate atmospheres, restaurants, bedrooms, evening scenes, vintage looks. Use neutral (4000-5000K) for: offices, kitchens, task lighting, accurate color work. Use cool (6000-8000K+) for: alertness, modern aesthetics, outdoor scenes, medical facilities, daylight matching. Warmer feels relaxing and inviting, cooler feels energizing and clinical.

Yes! The tool helps understand and correct white balance issues. If your photo looks too warm (orange), adjust toward higher temperatures (cooler/bluer). If too cool (blue), adjust toward lower temperatures (warmer/oranger). The temperature presets match common photography scenarios: Tungsten (3000K), Fluorescent (4000K), Daylight (6500K), Shade (8000K). This helps you understand what Kelvin adjustments to make in photo editing software.

Presets are based on real-world lighting conditions: Candle (1900K) - actual candle flame temperature, Warm White (3000K) - standard incandescent bulbs, Neutral (4000K) - fluorescent office lighting, Cool White (5000K) - bright daylight fluorescent, Daylight (6500K) - standard daylight/photography standard, Overcast (7000K) - cloudy day lighting, Blue Sky (10000K) - clear blue northern sky. These match industry-standard color temperature values.

Screen color temperature affects how you perceive colors in your work. A 6500K screen (standard) shows neutral whites. Warmer settings (3000-4000K) reduce blue light for evening use and eye comfort but make colors appear yellower. Cooler settings (7000K+) increase blue light, make whites look bluer, and may cause eye strain but show more detail. For accurate color work, calibrate to 6500K (D65 standard). For comfort, use warmer temperatures at night.

The tool provides a reasonable estimation based on color analysis algorithms. However, color temperature is technically defined for light sources (blackbody radiation), not arbitrary colors. The estimation works best for neutral colors (whites/grays) and colors that resemble natural lighting. For precise color temperature measurement of actual light sources, use a color meter. This tool is excellent for understanding temperature concepts and making relative adjustments.