CCT

CCT

CCT, or correlated color temperature, is a way of describing the "temperature" of white light. It is popular and familiar to most consumers.

Lower = warm, Higher = cool

At Diode, we use 6000K-CCT white LEDs, because this best matches the color temperature used on factory-installed lighting. 

Some consumers may prefer a warmer or more neutral tone, as they feel it is more comfortable. However, we feel it's most important to match factory-installed lighting. Also, most high-end automotive LEDs are only produced in a 6000K CCT.

What about 3000K?

3000K bulbs in your home are warm white, right? So why do many in the automotive world use 3000K to describe a pure yellow color? 

It's not clear what the origins are, but yellow color can also have a 3000K energy level - even though it's not on the "white line."

This is very confusing since consumers think color temperatures, like 3000K, refer to a specific color. In fact, a "white" 3000K is warm white, and yellow should simply be called "yellow" rather than 3000K. At Diode, we will be working to correct this in our catalog.

It is more accurate to describe any color, like yellow, as that color name, rather than the color temperature of the color. In fact, CCT is not very precise at all.