CCT ≠ Spectrum
Same Kelvin, Different SPD
Two light sources can have the same correlated color temperature while having very different spectral power distributions.
Explore standardized spectral references and understand why Kelvin alone does not describe the complete spectral character of a light source.
Select a color temperature to explore its corresponding physical or CIE standard reference spectrum.
The curves are physical or standardized reference spectra used for lighting education. They are not laboratory measurements of a specific LS8 LED strip.
1800K–4000K use Planckian radiator references. 5000K uses CIE Standard Illuminant D50 and 6500K uses CIE Standard Illuminant D65.
Each displayed curve is normalized independently to a visible-range peak value of 100. The chart therefore compares spectral shape rather than absolute optical power.
2700K is commonly perceived as warm white. The displayed curve is a Planckian radiator reference, not measured LED output.
Two light sources can have the same correlated color temperature while having very different spectral power distributions.
CCT describes the apparent color of white light. SPD describes how radiant power is distributed across wavelength.
Light sources with similar CRI values can still differ in how individual colors are rendered. Additional color-rendering metrics can provide more information about fidelity and gamut.