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CRI: What is it and what is its importance in Lighting?

Image with 4 apples illustrating the importance of CRI
Simply put, the CRI (Color Rendering Index) is the measurement of light in relation to how it influences the color appearance of objects. Understanding the CRI of the lighting you choose for your home will play an important role in the appearance of your home.
Has it ever happened to you that you can't tell your black socks from your dark blue ones? If yes, then your current bedroom or closet lighting source is likely to have a very low CRI.

The type of light bulb you select for your home can have a profound effect on the appearance of a room. This is due to the color rendering index, or CRI. Not all lamps are created equal, and some will render colors better than others. The CRI index measures a light source's ability to reveal the colors of objects compared to a natural light source such as sunlight.

This rating is also a measurement in the lighting industry to help distinguish naturalness, hue, vividness and color harmony.

As a general rule, it is considered:
  • Light sources with a CRI greater than 80 are considered perfectly acceptable for most applications.
  • Light sources with a CRI greater than 90 are considered high CRI lights.
The index is measured from 0-100, with a perfect 100 indicating that colors under the light source appear to be the same as under natural sunlight.

There are several factors to consider when choosing lighting for your home. However, checking the CRI scale can also help ensure that your environments are filled with vivid, flawless colors.
Image with red fruits representing the importance of CRI