Understanding Tunable White for Lighting⼁Informational Guide

Originally Published: 12/17/2019

Content Updated: 6/25/2026

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) refers to the appearance of white emitted by a light source. We separate these into four categories: ultra-warm, warm, neutral, and cool white. The categories are defined by their CCT range in units Kelvin (K): 

• Ultra-Warm (2000K-2500K): Similar to the warm orange emitted by candlelight, this range provides the warmest option before amber light, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in homes or restaurants. 

• Warm (2700K-3500K): Provides a soft, yellow glow, slightly brighter than ultra-warm CCTs, which can also be used to increase relaxation and create an inviting environment, ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and hotels. 

• Natural (4000K-4500K): Delivers a clean light similar to daylight, ideal for kitchens, classrooms, personal offices, and showrooms. 

• Cool (5000K-6500K): Emits a bright, blue-colored light, ideal for increasing alertness and focus for hospitals, galleries, and warehouse lighting.  

What is Tunable CCT?

Tunable CCT light fixtures can switch between different color temperatures, using a remote, wall switch, or smart device. This allows consumers to adjust the color temperature whenever they’d like, depending on activities, mood, and more. This differs from selectable CCT, where the CCT is typically set during installation. 

What Are the Benefits of Using Tunable CCT Lights? 

Whether installing tunable lights in a residential or commercial application, a new build, or a retrofit, there are multiple benefits. Switching over to LEDs in general will save energy and cut down electricity and replacement costs. Tunable lights also provide a greater sense of flexibility and control compared to other lights. 

Using Tunable CCT for Residential Spaces

Tunable lighting can enhance many aspects of your home. Tunable CCT is ideal in your home if you plan to use lights for different purposes. For example, if you plan to host holiday parties, you may need to adjust the lights in your kitchen to have a neutral CCT when preparing food, but then adjust them to a warmer CCT to create a relaxing feel for guests. Additionally, if you’re someone who redecorates your home, you can adjust the color temperature to match. 

Using Tunable CCT in Commercial Settings

Tunable LEDs are incredibly popular in hotels and restaurants, where lighting has a profound effect on the mood and atmosphere. Managers can easily change the color temperature and brightness to the time of day or season of the year, to get the right feel for their guests. Tunable white can also be installed in airport concourses, where mimicking the natural circadian rhythms can help travelers who may be moving across time zones. It can also help make the space feel more natural and reduce eye strain for weary travelers.

Using Tunable CCT in Schools

Tunable lights are great for schools because different kinds of lighting trigger different physiological effects, and schools can adjust the temperature for specific learning activities. Tunable white lighting can mimic a natural light cycle, which is beneficial to the mind and body and can improve alertness and concentration, raise test scores, and reduce hyperactivity. However, schools may want to adjust their lights to a warmer CCT during times of relaxation, reading, lunch, or when settling down at the end of the day. 

In a study published in Optics Express, titled “Dynamic lighting system for the learning environment: performance of elementary students,” Kyungah Choi and Professor Hyeon-Jeong Suk wrote that, “. . . using high-CCT white lighting can improve subjective alertness in students attending lectures.” They go on to say, “In one of the earliest studies of dynamic lighting, Wessolowski recorded significant improvements in German students’ performance as assessed by increased reading speed, decreased errors, and decreased hyperactive behavior. In support of this argument, Sleegers, et al. observed a positive effect of dynamic lighting on the concentration of Dutch elementary students.”

Choi and Suk performed several experiments. In one, they found that different CCTs create physiological arousal and relaxation. They exposed participants to 6500K cool white light and 3500K warm white light and measured their responses with an electrocardiogram (ECG). The ECGs showed that cool white light was arousing and that the warm white light was relaxing. A school day calls for multiple shades of white—some for focus and concentration, and others for recess and social interaction. 

Using Tunable CCT for Landscaping 

For landscaping, tunable CCT lets you have increased controllability for your garden, path, or patio lights. We carry tunable CCT, as well as RGB+tunable CCT options, depending on your lighting needs. For example, a cool CCT increases safety or visibility, natural CCTs highlight architectural features or are used for outdoor dining, and warm CCTs create a relaxing, comfortable space. If you have a landscape that requires a combo of these, opt for a tunable CCT light. 

When Do I Choose Tunable White Lights? 

Consider choosing tunable white lights when an area serves multiple purposes, must match circadian rhythms, or for individuals wanting to control lights with their smartphone or remote. However, for areas that don’t require different CCTs and are only used for one purpose, e.g., in an office or conference room where a natural CCT may be needed for increased focus, or in warehouses where cool CCTs are needed for safe working conditions, tunable white lights wouldn’t be as beneficial. 

Determine the purpose of your lighting and decide if tunable white lights are the solution for you. 

Shop Tunable CCT Products Here

Once you’re ready to elevate your residential or commercial space with tunable CCTs, check out our LED tunable CCT products now! For specific product questions or help choosing the product you need, contact our team of product support specialists at 866-590-3533 or by email. 

With the simple push of a button, adjustable CCT LEDs are able to change between different temperatures of white light. This feature allows one fixture to have multiple white tones, ranging from warm, to daylight, to cool. Understanding the basics of color temperature helps explain how different hues can affect an environment.

Even with this knowledge, sometimes a light must simply be installed to see how it affects a space. Instead of ordering multiple lights with different color temperatures, order one adjustable CCT product that carries multiple options within itself. Install the fixture, and change the color temperature until it’s right.

This versatility enables contractors to lower their SKUs, while still offering variety and adapting to client needs. It gives homeowners and designers the ability to independently change tones to create a certain atmosphere and easily coordinate decorative fixtures.

When choosing an adjustable CCT product, it is helpful to consider: 

Who will be selecting the temperature and how often?

Contractor Select CCT: Color Temperature will be changed once, by the contractor, at the time of installation.

User Select CCT: Color Temperature can be changed frequently by the user or owner at anytime.

Use the answer to the above question as a guide to select the right products for particular projects.

Best for applications where the color temperature will be adjusted at the time of installation. This selection typically features “Selectable CCT” with a switch that moves from a preset warm, daylight, and cool white. 

Whether the project is securely lighting a public space, accenting landscape features, or downlighting a residential basement, these products offer benefits for contractors who need to anticipate changing client preferences. 

Though it is most ideal to Select CCT at the beginning, it is not difficult to change with the flick of a switch or push of a button at any time. In this case, the selecting mechanism is often protected within housing or a grid ceiling, so the light may need to be opened or removed to change.

See our line of indoor and outdoor Contractor Select CCT products:

• Post Top Light with Selectable CCT and optional photocell
• 4″ Recessed Downlight
• 6″ Recessed Downlight 
• 8″ Recessed Downlight
• Flood Lights ranging from 12 to 86 watts

Best for applications where the color temperature will be adjusted at anytime after installation. This line features both “Selectable CCT” products with preset temperatures selected by switch or remote, or “Tunable CCT” products with a remote or phone app that moves through the spectrum of hues.

To change lights with even greater control, see our Smart Lighting solutions. There are Tunable White and various color options where light can be directed through wireless connections.