The Color Rendering Index (CRI) rates how accurately a light source shows colors compared to natural light, on a scale to 100. This chart maps the ranges to quality and use.
| CRI range | Quality | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 90 to 100 | Excellent | Art, retail, medical, photography |
| 80 to 89 | Good | Offices, homes, schools |
| 70 to 79 | Fair | Warehouses, parking |
| Below 70 | Poor | Security, roadway |
See the CRI to TM-30 Converter and the Color Temperature Comparison.
Reading the CRI scale
The Color Rendering Index rates how faithfully a source shows colors compared to natural light, on a scale up to 100. Below 80 is generally poor for interiors (colors look muted or off); 80–89 is good and fine for most homes and offices; 90–100 is excellent and recommended for retail, art, photography, medical, and anywhere accurate color matters. A hidden gotcha is the deep-red R9 value, which the averaged CRI can mask — a lamp can post a high CRI yet render reds poorly — so check R9 separately for skin tones, food, and artwork. CRI is independent of brightness and color temperature, so weigh it alongside lumens, efficacy, and CCT.
Rule of thumb by use: 80+ for hallways, storage, and general areas; 90+ for kitchens, retail, and bathrooms (makeup); 95+ with strong R9 for art, photography, and medical. Higher CRI sometimes costs a little efficiency, so don’t over-specify where color isn’t critical — match the number to the task rather than always chasing 100.