4000K vs 5000K : What’s the Difference?

Lighting is one of the most influential aspects of a home environment. There are various options of white light to choose from, so here we discuss the differences between the white light colors of 4000K vs 5000K to help you determine the best choice for your space.

To understand their differences, you first need to understand that color temperature is a way to describe the light given off by a bulb in terms of how warm or cool it appears.

A color temperature is a specific measurement designed to let you know the relative warmth or coolness of colors of white light.

So a white light color is given a number on a scale of degrees of kelvin, which pinpoints the degree of warmth of the white color and allows you to choose the light or product for its intended purpose.

4000k vs 5000k

When it comes to choosing between 4000K and 5000K, the key difference is in the color of the white light.

• 4000K describes a cool white color temperature of light at 4000 degrees of kelvin. 4000K is warmer than 5000K daylight which is closer to blue on the light spectrum.
• 5000K describes a cold white color temperature of light at 5000 degrees of kelvin. 5000K is cooler than 4000K and is almost classed as daylight.

There are other common descriptions of the same light colors or similar, so it may be helpful to also compare warm white vs cool white or soft white vs daylight to help you decide.

As they emit light at two different temperatures that have a direct impact on the appearance of everything around them and the subsequent mood of the room, so it’s VERY important to choose the right color of white for your space.

We created a test video of 3 identical wall lights with differing white light lamps, to show you the difference between the 4000K and other white light sources. You can see how 4000K cool white sits in the middle as a neutral color between the golden tones of 2700K and the 5600K daylight color.

When to Use Cool White 4000K

A 4000K LED color temperature looks clean and modern but can feel harsh and sterile in the wrong environment.

A cool white is preferable if you are either working or playing in an environment that requires clear sightlines and good detail recognition for accurate quality perception, such as when painting, reading a book or cooking.

This is the most popular choice for offices, shops and other commercial spaces where a bright light is required but you do not want to enhance warm tones such as wood or earthy wall coverings.

The blue tone will give more of an impactful look that makes objects stand out which can be good for highlighting features of your room but not so good if you want to create a warm atmosphere.

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In general, 4000K lights are more suitable for:

• commercial spaces
• factories
• warehouses
• garages
• offices
• retail display
• Kitchen uplighting

Let’s take a look at some common situations where you might need to choose which one works best, as sometimes a combination of both works too.

When to Use 5000K Cold White

A 5000K LED color temperature is mid-way up the kelvin scale which ranges from 1000K to 10,000K.

It is a cold white light that can appear bluish in tone and is sometimes described as almost daylight. This makes it a good choice for task lighting where you need to see clearly such as in a home office, workshop or when carrying out detailed work.

In general, 5000K lights are used in:

• Headlight bulbs in cars as it gives better visibility on the road at night.
• Garage
• Workshop
• Work Lights
• Warehouses
• Factories

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Is 5000K Brighter?

The amount of light that is delivered to create brightness is measured in lumens. The more lumens created, the brighter the light will be. Therefore, true brightness quantified by light output is not dependent on the color of white light.

However, the visible impression of brightness is dependent on the color temperature, so although 4000K and 5000K both emit a bright light, the 5000k will feel slightly brighter than 4000K. This is because it emits more blue light which is at the higher end of the visible spectrum.

Wattage is no longer a reliable comparison for brightness.

4000K or 5000K for Kitchens

For general ambient lighting, a 4000K light will create a fresh, modern feel whereas a 5000K will appear brighter but more clinical.

The use of 5000K in residential kitchens is not as common as 4000K but it can work well, especially in large kitchens with plenty of natural light coming in.

If you have a small kitchen or want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere then 2700K or 3000K would be more suitable. These lower color temperatures will make the space feel cozier and highlight any earthy tones in the room.

If you are looking for task lighting over a kitchen island or worktop then 4000K is a good choice for under cabinet lighting as it will give you plenty of light to work with without washing out the color of food.

LED strip lights can come in 4000K to provide good task lighting without being too harsh. It is not common to get them in 5000K but this might be a bit too cold for some people.

Andrew Orange, the owner of Orange Lighting qualified and worked as an interior designer in 1993 before specialising in lighting working on high profile projects based in London. Since starting Orange Lighting Ltd in 2003 he has been sharing his knowledge and unique teaching style mostly to his designer clients, offering practical real life advice born from running a busy consultancy and lighting supply business. Launching in 2020, his blog has evolved into Quick & Easy Lighting, curating some 25 years design experience into making the lighting choice and design process achievable and easy to understand for all.