Different LED light colors include mainly white lights and RGB lights. In the case of White lights, the soft white is Yellow, warm white is yellowish-white. Again cool white is neutral white and daylight is White-blue. And for RGB, 3 primary colors are red, green, and blue.
In this article, I’ve explained everything more practically. For example, where to use different color LEDs, what do the different colors of LED lights mean, and what their effects are. So keep on reading till the end and explore everything in different led light colors.
8 Different White LED Lights Colors
When you talk about led lights the very first thing that comes into explanation is the white led lights. So let’s start with white LED lights.
First, an overview table is given below to have a quick understanding.
| White LED Lights | Color Temperature | Color/Tone |
| Amber | 1800k-2200K | Orange-red |
| Soft white | 2700k-3000K | Yellow |
| Warm White | 3000k-4000K | Yellowish-white |
| Bright White/Cool White | 4000k-5000K | Neutral white |
| Daylight | 5000k-6000K | White-blue |
| Cool Daylight | 6000k-8000K | Ice blue |
| Blue | 8000k-10000K | Pure blue |
| Purple | 12000K | Purple |
Now let’s move on to the explanation part.
Amber
You shouldn’t be too familiar with amber Leads as they aren’t used widely for regular tasks.
The color temperature of amber is 1800-200K and the color of amber glow can be different; orange-red/Orange/Yellow (Depending on the color temperature). But usually, the amber light appears in the orange-red spectrum.
Where to Use
The wavelength of amber light is 570 nm. They are used for applications where photochemically sensitive materials are manufactured or used. It’s because of the prevention of inadvertent exposure to damaging blue rays or UV.
They are also used as warning lights and in construction vehicles. Sometimes, you may notice them where workers use photosensitive processes.
Light Effect
Amber light is good for the eyes. It brings an intimate warm feeling to us. Sometimes they also bring back out concentration.
Though for focusing and concentration different colors of LEDs are better to use.
Soft White
The soft white lights come with a color temperature between 2700-3000K. The visible color of a soft white LED is Yellow.
Where to Use
The most suitable place to use soft white LEDs is the living room, bedroom, dining, and kitchen. Also, if you’re in a residential area then it is also suitable for using outdoors.
Light Effect
Soft white light brings a comfortable and cozy feeling. Sometimes, they are considered welcoming lights. Plus, the yellow color simulates the sun’s brightness. So, it is one of the LED colors that help to wake up.
Warm White
Considering the color temperature, warm white comes immediately after soft white. The color temperature of warm white LEDs is between 3000k-4000K. And it provides a yellowish-white shade.
Where to Use?
People get confused very easily between warm white vs soft white. Some of us think the application for warm white and soft white is the same. But they are wrong.
Warm white has a whiter shed and is appropriate for use in the bathroom and sometimes for the make-up room.
Besides, they are also suitable for the dining room and kitchen. Sometimes, you may find them used in the office and garage as well.
Light Effect
Warm lights are great for making you feel warm and comfortable. Also, they hold a joyous environment.
Cool White
According to the color temperature range, the next one is cool white which is also known as bright white. For these LEDs, the color temperature is 4000k-5000K.
There is no exact color to explain the visibility of the cool white LED. They contain more blue light and are brighter than warm white. However, the color of cool white LEDs is called neutral white.
Where to Use?
You are seeing cool white LEDs almost in every commercial place. Most of the offices use cool white LEDs. If you are a makeup person, they’re also a good suit for the bathroom.
Light Effect
Cool white lights help to hold our attention special for the players and workers. Besides, it brings an exciting feeling.
Daylight
The LEDs having a color temperature between 5000k-6000K is known as Daylight. Daylight bulbs produce more blush tone and visibility when they are in bluish or white-blue color.
Where to Use?
The daylight LEDs are used for a wide variety of applications. Compared to soft white and warm white, daylight is more suitable for offices, garages, and parking lots.
To understand the scientific logic behind this you’ll have to understand the difference between 5000k vs 4000K, and 2700K vs 5000K.
Aside from that, daylight bulbs are suitable for sports fields, industrial lighting, and security lights.
Light Effect
Daylight improves our mood and enhances morale. Besides, it reduces eye strain and makes us productive.
Cool Daylight
Cool daylight LEDs come with a color temperature of 6000-8000k. For sure they have a more blueish tint than daylight but they are not as bright as daylight. Most people think they will be highly bright but they are wrong. Comparing the brightness they are slightly brighter than the halogen bulbs.
Having a higher bluish tint, the cool daylight provides an ice-blue LED color.
Where to Use?
Not a lot of things you will find for cool daylight to use for. They are known as stylist LEDs.
Most of the time they are used as off-road exterior lights. And sometimes, you can find them used as headlights.
Light Effect
Cool daylight brings a cold vibe. Also, they help to be in a fresh mood.
Read Also: Difference Between 3000k vs 6000k
Blue
Blue LEDs emit a darker blue light compared to other white lights. The color temperature of blue light is 10000k. And visibly blue LEDs are pure blue in color.
Where to Use?
Blue lights are used only for looks. Unfortunately, they emit low bright lights. So they don’t come in regular usage.
Light Effect
Blue lights boost alertness and help in focusing at a higher rate.
Purple
The purple light has the highest color temperature till now, I’ve explained. It has a color temperature of 12000K. The color of the purple light is purple.
Where to Use?
Purple lights are very unique and look beautiful. They are used by car enthusiasts. They use the light as headlights and sometimes for decorating their vehicles.
Light Effect
They generally bring a royal and festival mood. Sometimes they help us to be more decorative.
Different RGB LED Light Color
Very often we hear about 16 million colors from RGB led light, right? So does RGB really come with 16M colors?
Practically the answer is NO. To explore more about RGB LEDs you need to figure out what RGB LEDs actually mean.
The full form of RGB is red, green, and blue. That means there are 3 primary colors. And with the combination of three colors RGB produces over 16 million hues of colors.
There are several RGB light colors that are highly popular, especially among the young generations.
Below let’s get the list of the most popular RGB colors and their effects on mood.
RGB Color Moods
- Yellow: Friendly, happy, stimulus, caution, warmth, energized, hungry.
- Red: Energy, love, anger, passion, straight, strength, excitement, urgency.
- Green: Peace, safety, healing, freshness, natural, profit, focusing.
- Orange: Confident, successful, vibrance, healthy, innovative, cheerful, hungry.
- Blue: Stable, harmonious, peaceful, trust, integrity, loyal, dependable, attentive.
- Purple: Luxury, wisdom, ambitious, success, creative, royalty, imaginative, fashion.
- Pink: Party, romantic, soft, cozy, happy, fashion.
- Amber: Cozy, warm, decorative, relaxed, royalty.
How to Make Custom Color on LED Strips?
You can make custom colors on the LED strips using the LED remote. Though different LED lights come with different remote controls, the overall button will be the same. So, below I am explaining the step-by-step guide to doing it.
- First take the remote and turn on your RGB LED light strips.
- On the static mode, there you’ll find 20 preset colors. There, select one for your LED strips.
- Now, find out the DIY mode button. It should be the buttons with letters (DIY1, DIY2, DIY3, and like this).
- Below the DIY button you’ll find buttons with up and down arrows.
- By pressing the up and down arrows you can increase and decrease the intensity of the base colors (blue, green, and red) and show richer, custom colors.
NB: The smart led strips come with smart features. You can control the colors using the app from your phone. It is, even more, easier to control the color intensity.
Effect of Different LED Light Colors for Different Moods
For sure our mood gets affected by different types of colors. Curious about it?
No worries, this time you’re going to understand the colors according to different moods.
- Energy: Yellow or red light
- Hungry: Yellow or Orange
- Friendly: Yellow, orange, pink
- Decorative: Amber, yellow, orange
- Harmony: Green or light blue
- Royalty: Purple
- Creativity: Yellow, purple
- Focusing: Green, Blue
What’s the Best LED Color for Mood?
So, now you must be puzzled seeing so many effects and colors. So the straightforward question is now what’s the best color?
There are generally 6 colors considered the best LED color for mood; blue, red, pink, green, orange, and purple.
Blue: According to a study, released in the journal PLOS ONE in 2017 – Blue lighting helps in post-stress relaxation 3x quicker than white lights. Plus, it brings a calming effect.
You should notice blue colors in different industries such as finance, healthcare, and aerospace. It’s because blue LEDs, can promote trustworthiness and brings a sense of security.
You’ll find blue LEDs in different sheds. The light blue colors are soothing and good for healing. On the other hand, dark blue colors are better for concentration at a higher rate.
Red: Just like blue, red is also a calming light. Again, if you ask which light is best for sleeping one of the answers will be a red light. Also, red is known as a dynamic color that is good for, fun, work, and relaxation.
Red LEDs also boost our strength and energy. Besides, red color can be a great color for a romantic night. After all, red is the symbol of love.
Pink: If you have already read the book Drunk Tank Pink then you should already understand why pink color is a great color for mood. According to author Adam Alter, pink color helps to make use of calm and coolness.
Aside from that, pink is considered as a non-threatening and soft color. In most jails, pink lights and walls are used to reduce aggression among inmates. Overall, pink LEDs bring an innocent vibe.
Green: According to a study in 2016 from the University of Oxford – Just like the red color green color brings calming effects and strongly reacts with sleep hormones (Melanipsin). That’s how it helps to get a good night’s sleep.
However, among green, there are different shades and they have different effects. For example, deep color such as kelly green is a balancing color that brings a sense of harmony and growth. Again, lime green is considered good for promoting growth.
Overall green LEDs help to focus for the long term and are relaxing for human eyes. That’s why green is also one of the best LED colors for mood.
Orange: For a friendly environment, orange LEDs are the most suitable light colors. The color brings a cheerful and confident vibe to the mood.
Besides, orange LEDs make you enthusiastic and energized. However, the color sometimes can be an attention-getter that may create nervousness among us.
Purple: It is the color of royalty and one of the best colors for mood. Purple LEDs are found helpful to reduce mental and emotional stress. Moreover, they are good for relaxation and help to fall asleep.
Purple LEDs also bring a stylish and festival look to your house. You can enjoy yourself better in a room with purple lights. Finally, the brings a sense of wisdom and luxury.
Now the last thing and the most important thing is the best LED color for mood in on your personal preferences. The above 6 colors come out to be better for the mood. But it is possible you personally like some different colors to cheer up.
Verdict
So, by now you’ve completely understood everything about different led light colors. Aside from that, you know the light effect on mood and the suitable led light for different places and positions.
I think from now on, you can decorate any place better with the ideal color LED. Plus, you know, for different programs and occasions which light you should use. Also, you got ideas for using led light colors for different situations
Hope you find this article interesting. Good luck with lighting your next time.
I am Mark Braeden, a professional electrician based in California. With over a decade of experience in the electrical industry, I have launched this website with the aim of sharing my expertise and providing solutions to common lighting issues that can cause frustration for homeowners.
Whether you need help selecting the right bulb for your living room lamp or require guidance in installing LED strip lights, I am here to assist you.
But it’s not just about fixing problems. I’m also here to inspire you with all sorts of creative lighting ideas that can transform your home.
