Color temperature is one of the most important specifications when ordering LED strip lights. It determines whether your light appears warm, neutral, or cool. This guide explains CCT (Correlated Color Temperature), how color consistency is achieved, and what color temperatures Lightstec can offer for your project.
What Is CCT (Color Temperature)?
CCT stands for Correlated Color Temperature, measured in degrees Kelvin (K). It describes white light as warm (reddish), neutral, or cool (bluish). The concept comes from black-body radiation — as a solid object is heated, its emitted light progresses through a sequence of colors.
For example, an incandescent lamp emits light around 2700K (warm end of the scale). Even though LEDs don't actually get hot enough to glow, their light color is matched to the same Kelvin scale.
Color Temperature Scale at a Glance
1900K
Ultra Warm
2700K
Warm White
3000K
Soft White
4000K
Neutral
6500K
Cool White
Color Consistency & MacAdam Ellipses
Even with the same CCT value, there can be visible color variation. LED manufacturers control this through binning — sorting LEDs into groups with tightly matched color coordinates.
The MacAdam ellipse measures how far a color point deviates from the black-body curve. A 3-step MacAdam rating means the color variation is imperceptible to the human eye — the gold standard for professional lighting.
Why MacAdam Matters
- 1-step: Barely noticeable difference
- 3-step: Imperceptible to most eyes — Lightstec standard
- 5-step+: Visible color difference between strips
Lightstec uses 3-step MacAdam binning to ensure uniform color across every reel.
Allowable CCT Variations & Binning
Each nominal CCT has an allowable tolerance range. Variations along the black-body curve make light appear more reddish or bluish; variations above/below the curve make it appear pinkish or greenish.
Příklad: A nominal 3000K has a tolerance of ±175K, centered on 3045K. The 3000K quadrangle covers from 2870K to 3220K along the black-body curve. Even with measured Duv and CCT variation, these are still classified as 3000K.
Achieving Consistent Color
LEDs naturally vary in lumen output, CCT, and voltage during production. To manage this, manufacturers sort LEDs into bins — groups with matching specifications. This binning process ensures that every LED in a strip meets the stated color and performance criteria.
For professional projects, strict binning means no visible color difference between adjacent strips — essential for seamless installations in cove lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and architectural applications.
What CCT Can Lightstec Offer?
Lightstec offers white LED strip color temperatures ranging from 1900K to 6500K, including custom CCTs for special projects. All strips use 3-step MacAdam binning for consistent color. Also available for COB LED strips.
Available Color Temperatures
2400K Warm
2700K Warm White
3000K Soft White
4000K Neutral
5000K Daylight
6500K Cool White
10000K+ Custom
Často kladené otázky
What is CCT in LED strip light?
CCT stands for Correlated Color Temperature. It marks the color of the LED light — such as warm white, natural white, or cool white — measured in degrees Kelvin (K).
How many CCT can you offer for strip light?
We offer ultra warm white 1800K and 2400K, warm white 3000K, natural white 4000K, cool white 6500K, and even 10000K+. Custom CCTs available on request.
What MacAdam step do you offer?
We offer 3-step MacAdam binning as standard, ensuring color is consistent and uniform across the entire strip light reel.
New to LED lighting? Check our beginner's guide for everything you need to know about LED strips.
Choosing the right color temperature? Learn more about LED color kinds and how to select the perfect shade for your project.
Need a Specific Color Temperature?
Lightstec offers CCT from 1900K to 6500K with 3-step MacAdam binning. Contact us for custom color temperature options and free samples.
O autorovi
JerryHu
Zakladatel Lightstec.Engineering degree.Více než 13 let pracovních zkušeností v podnikání s LED osvětlením.Seznámení s výrobou produktů LED osvětlení.Tento blog vám sdílí znalosti a řešení v oblasti LED osvětlení.Vítejte získávání LED světel z Číny.
Zjistěte více Profesionální vedené kurzy, o kterých vám řekne méně lidí, než uděláte chybu.
Dear Manager,
Jak se máte?
Galaxy LED Batten light with 3 CCT adjustable. Terminal block in end cap got great
feedback from our customers.
How do you think of this batten light?
Dear,nice you are interesting in our cct adjustable led strip light,we will send products detail to you by mail
i was looking on alibaba for led strips adjustable temperature from cool to warm white 5050, 12V voltage, 14,4W/meter.
Can you send me a price list, and do you sending a sample too?
We have cct adjustable led strip light . SMD2835-120LED/M -DC12V and DC24V vision. Color can from 2200K to 6500K.
I will send you price list by mail.
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Our company “LEDLIGHTPROMER” is one of the leader Russian LED market and specialized in LED-goods distribution.
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Hi Sir,Nice you are interesting in our led lights. Our sales team will following your request.
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I have one good client that is interested in your product and they are ready to buy large quantity. But I will need 4% commission on whatever they buy and also I near future, if he place any order from your company’ my 4% should be sent to me. If your company agrees then we can do business.
I have attached the company quotation so please go through and get back to me. Meanwhile I will also like to know whether my 4% is acceptable also.
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Hi Lillian, welcome you have your own business.
let’s check what we can do.
Could you please quote me based on below request from my customer? Pls try to be back to me asap.
UL or ETL Listed Tape Light in 3528 SMD and 5050 SMD LEDs that are jacketed and un-jacketed. Our goal is to offer a complete range of tape light that we would hopefully buy from one source, rather than just the 5050 Jacketed product we are offering now from Wufeng. UL or ETL Listed product is a MUST for us moving forward. We realize that the power supplies are UL Listed, but we want an entire system (drivers and tape light) that is UL Listed.
Hi Jamie, our strip light have FCC ,does it ok for your market ?
We are very interested your some of your led strip.
Could u pls send the datasheet with excel format to us?
1.LT-5050RGB/W72R-W24
2.LT-335W30R-W12
3.LT-335W120R-W24
4.LT-3528W60R-W24
Hi Terry , Nice to have your message. Our sales team will contact with you via mail.
we would like to order CRI 90 led strip light. Send me your price.
Hi Flex,we have CRI>90 led strip light, can send you price.
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