CRI value for LED lamps - what does it really say?

Whether it's a desk lamp, a living room or a content creation setup: good LED lighting is essential in almost every scenario. After all, light has an influence on color perception, the quality of our work, our state of alertness and also our mood.

But have you ever wondered why some colors suddenly look different under a lamp? Why, for example, your new shirt looks different in daylight than it does indoors?

The answer is provided by the CRI value - a value that is often overlooked but is crucial to the colors you see.

CRI definition - three letters that influence our everyday lives

CRI definition - color rendering index determines the authenticity of colors in your everyday life

CRI stands for Color Rendering Index - in German: Color Rendering Index. However, the abbreviation CRI is usually not used alone, but is often used together with Ra (CRI Ra) is often used. Both terms refer to the ability of a light source to reproduce colors as faithfully as possible. The higher the CRI, the better the color reproduction - at least in theory.

Color rendering index CRI vs. Ra

The color rendering index CRI (short for Color Rendering Index) is a key figure that indicates how natural and realistic colors appear under an artificial light source. The higher this value, the better the effect of the light - especially in terms of the color impression it makes on our eyes.

The maximum value is CRI 100 and corresponds to the ideal reference light, such as sunlight or a classic incandescent lamp. An LED lamp with a CRI value of 80 is standard nowadays - but when it comes to high-quality color rendering, visual accuracy or simply a pleasant atmosphere, you should opt for light sources with a CRI of 90 or more.

The CRI value takes into account the reproduction of eight defined test colors. The average of these values results in the so-called Ra value. Although this is helpful, it does not tell the whole story - because particularly critical colors such as strong red (R9) are not included in the Ra, but are decisive for many applications.

High CRI value is important for interior design, make-up and photography

Whether for interior design, make-up, photography or simply more visual well-being in everyday life - a high color rendering index is a real quality feature of LED lighting.

How the CRI value is measured

The CRI value is based on a comparison: How does an LED reproduce eight standard colors compared to a so-called reference light source - such as daylight? These colors range from red to blue to skin tones.

The Ra value is the average of these eight colors.

Some manufacturers also specify the so-called R9 value which describes how well the LED reproduces a rich red. The R9 value is particularly important for skin tones, art or food photography.

Tip: Make sure that high-quality LED light sources have a CRI of at least 90 and an R9 value above 50!

What the CRI value tells you

The CRI LED is helpful for comparing products - but it is not perfect. It is based on old measurement methods that do not always evaluate modern LED strips, fluorescent lamps or new light sources fairly.

The color temperature (e.g. warm white vs. daylight white) does not play a role in the CRI value. The CRI only evaluates how true-to-life colors appear under a light source - regardless of whether the light is warm (e.g. 2700 K) or cold (e.g. 6500 K).

In addition, the CRI does not show the efficiency of the lamp, i.e. how much light is produced per watt - or how energy-efficient it is. Differences in the color spectrum, especially with extreme colors, are also not included. This is why some manufacturers also give spectral diagrams in the data sheet - especially for LED light sources for professional applications.

CRI LED vs. other light sources - a brief comparison

Comparison of the color rendering of LED light with different CRI values (98, 90, 80, 70) at 2700 Kelvin, shown with colored pencils.

Light source	Typical CRI value	Remark
Sunlight	100	Reference for perfect color reproduction
Incandescent lamp	100	Natural, warm light
Fluorescent lamp	60–85	Cheap, but limited reproduction
Standard LED	70–85	Inexpensive, moderate color reproduction
High CRI LED	90–98	Ideal for true colors & aesthetics

So if you value colors - whether in everyday life, cooking, photographing or streaming - you should prefer LED lamps with a high CRI value.

What you should look out for when buying LED lamps

If you are not just looking for "bright enough" when buying light, but for a realistic color representation, you should definitely take a look at the color rendering index. Here is a small checklist for you:

Pay attention to the Ra value: The so-called general color rendering index (Ra) should be at least 90 for high-quality LED light sources - for particularly natural colors, 95+ is even better.
Check the R9 value: The R9 value indicates how well strong red tones are reproduced. This is particularly important for skin tones or food. The higher this value, the better the reproduction quality.
Look at the data sheet: Many important details such as the exact CRI value, the R9 value or even the color spectrum are not on the packaging. It is therefore always worth taking a look at the data sheet - especially for professional applications.
Think about the area of application: For purely decorative purposes, a lamp with a lower color rendering index is also sufficient. However, if you are applying make-up, producing content or are dependent on color accuracy, you should definitely look for a high CRI.
Invest in quality: Good LED lighting with a high color rendering index usually costs a little more, but also delivers significantly better results - both for the eye and for photos, videos or everyday living quality.

Conclusion: Why the CRI LED value is important for you

A high Ra value is important for your well-being

The Color Rendering Index is more than just a number. It determines how realistic your surroundings look - and how comfortable you feel. A high CRI LED value is a real sign of quality, especially for LED luminaires that are in daily use. For light that is not only bright, but also natural - almost like the sun itself.

LEDs with perfect light quality

In our store you will soon find LED light sources with a high CRI and Ra 98 (2700K) and Ra 99 (4000K). For maximum color variety, efficiency and true reproduction.