CRI (Color Rendering Index) vs CCT (Correlated Color Temperature): what each measures, recommended values by application…
| Comparison | Option A | Option B | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| What It Measures | Color accuracy (Ra 0-100) | Light color appearance (Kelvin) | Different purposes |
| Office Recommendation | CRI ≥80 | CCT 3500-5000K | Both matter |
| Retail Recommendation | CRI ≥90 | CCT 2700-3500K | Both matter |
| Museum/Gallery | CRI ≥95 (R9 ≥90) | CCT 2700-3500K | CRI more critical |
| Warehouse/Industrial | CRI ≥70 (sufficient) | CCT 4000-6500K | CCT more critical |
| Healthcare | CRI ≥90 (R9 ≥50) | CCT 3500-4500K | Both equally critical |
| Hospitality/Hotel | CRI ≥90 | CCT 2700-3000K | CRI more critical |
| Cost Impact | CRI 95 costs 30-50% more | CCT has minimal cost impact | CCT (no premium) |
CRI and CCT serve different purposes. CRI (Ra) measures color accuracy — critical for retail, museum, healthcare. CCT (Kelvin) sets mood and visual comfort — warm (2700-3000K) for relaxation, cool (4000-6500K) for alertness. Both should be specified in procurement: never choose based on just one.