The importance of the CRI value

CRI/RA – What do these values mean?

The CRI/RA value is a measure of the color rendering quality of light sources. It indicates how accurately a light source can reproduce colors compared to a reference light source. The reference light source has a CRI/RA value of 100 and reproduces colors very precisely. Thehigher the CRI/RA value of a light source, the better its color rendering. A high CRI/RA value is important for the correct perception of colors.

In many applications, such as in art or industry, it is important that colors are rendered correctly. Incorrect color rendering can lead to errors and problems. It is therefore important to pay attention to the CRI/RA value when choosing lighting fixtures.

The CRI/RA value is measured using color samples that are viewed under a reference light source. These color samples are then viewed under the light source to be measured and compared. The CRI/RA value is then given on a scale from 0 to 100.

A CRI/RA value of 100 is ideal and indicates perfect color rendering. A CRI/RA value of 80 or higher is considered good and is sufficient for many applications. A CRI/RA value below 80 is considered poor and should be avoided. Overall, the CRI/RA value is an important factor in lighting.

Correct color rendering is essential in many applications and can lead to problems if it is not correct. A high CRI/RA value is therefore desirable in many cases and should be taken into account when selecting light sources. 

As mentioned, the color rendering index is abbreviated as CRI and specified with an RA value, and is a property of a light source such as anLED lamp or an incandescent bulb. The index indicates how natural the colors of illuminated objects appear in the light – sunlight serves as a guide. with maximum natural color rendering.

The fact that there are now differences in RA values from lamp to lamp is due to the different light spectra of the light sources. For the human eye, only the part of the electromagnetic radiation between 380 nm and 780 nm is visible light, which is composed of different spectral colors.

Natural sunlight contains all of these colors and thus all visible wavelengths. In order for artificial lighting to achieve color rendering that is as true to life as daylight, the light from the light source must also contain all spectral colors.

However, this is not always the case. In some cases, a lamp emits light unevenly across the color spectrum, with certain colors being overemphasized and others underemphasized. If a spectral color is not present at all, an object in that color will appear grayish. The color rendering index for light sources can be used to determine how naturally your light fixture renders colors and to compare different lamps with each other.

Depending on the purpose of the lighting, better color rendering may be more or less important. 

"As a lighting professional, I always recommend ensuring a CRI/RA value of at least 80 to guarantee sufficiently good color rendering and thus create pleasant and natural lighting."

Why is the CRI/RA value important?

Good color rendering is important for achieving a natural and accurate color representation of objects. Lamps with a high CRI/RA value can render colors better, while lamps with a lower value tend to distort or fade colors.

Lamps with a high CRI/RA value are usually LED lamps and incandescent lamps. LED lamps with a CRI/RA value of 80 or higher are usually labeled as "high color rendering" and are a good choice for applications where color accuracy is important, such as makeup application or painting.

Incandescent bulbs also have a high CRI/RA value, but they are less popular today due to their high energy consumption and environmental impact. The color rendering of a light is measured using a spectrometer, with the RA value ranging from 1 to 100.

Natural daylight from the sun has the maximum value of RA 100, which stands for true-to-life color rendering. The higher the RA color rendering index, the more natural the colors appear and the more pleasant they are to the eye.

The light sources are then tested using 14 colors standardized in DIN 6169, whereby the extent to which the color representation of the artificial lighting deviates from daylight is examined. The 14 colors include the 8 primary reference colors of old rose, mustard yellow, yellow-green, light green, turquoise blue, sky blue, aster violet, and lilac violet, as well as the 6 secondary reference colors of red, yellow, green, blue, pink, and leaf green.

Color rendering, as one of many quality characteristics of light, not only plays a role in private rooms such as the bedroom when getting dressed, in bathroom mirror lighting, or in dining room lighting, but is even relevant to sales in some industries.

Especially in the food sector, good Color rendering index makes meat, fruit, or baked goods look really appetizing, which also influences customers' purchasing decisions. The same applies to fashion stores, where the colors of the clothing must, of course, be clearly visible.

In addition to retail, good color rendering of luminaires with high RA values is also relevant for doctors, architects, and graphic designers. This shows how important lighting can be and that high-quality light with high color fidelity is in demand in many areas—when purchasing a light source, it is important to pay close attention to the CRI specified as the RA value.

Conclusion – How to do everything right!

In summary, it can be said that the CRI/RA value is an important factor in lighting. High color rendering quality is of great importance in many applications, as it helps colors to be perceived naturally and accurately.

When purchasing lighting fixtures, the CRI/RA value should therefore be taken into account to ensure pleasant and effective lighting.

If you are still undecided about how you want to implement your lighting, please feel free to make an appointment with the lighting professionals at skapetze® for a personal consultation and the development of an individuallighting concept.

You are also welcome to visit us at our lighting studio in Simbach am Inn.

If you If you already have a specific idea of how you want the lights in your living room to look, we can help you turn that idea into reality—our in-house workshop makes it possible.