By Emmanuel Sauvage · Updated
Technical guide
CRI: colour rendering index
CRI (Ra, 0–100) compares how a light source renders 8 test colours against a reference light. Daylight and incandescent bulbs score 100.
The thresholds that matter
| CRI | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Legal minimum for general-purpose LED lamps in the UK/EU | Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 (ecodesign), retained in GB |
| 80 and R9 > 0 | Minimum for ENERGY STAR certified lamps in the US | ENERGY STAR Lamps specification |
| 90+ | Skin tones, food and wood look natural | Manufacturer "high CRI" lines (e.g. Philips Ultra Definition) |
| 95+ | Colour-critical work: painting, photo, retail | Specialist lamps |
What is R9?
Ra averages 8 pastel colours. R9 is the separate score for saturated red, which LEDs often render poorly. A CRI 80 lamp can have an R9 near zero, which makes skin and meat look grey. Look for R9 > 50 on high-CRI lamps; reputable brands publish it on the datasheet.
Where CRI 90 is worth it
- Bathroom mirror and dressing table.
- Kitchen worktops (food colour).
- Rooms with artwork or wood finishes.
In a hallway or garage, CRI 80 is enough.
Reading the code
The first digit of the 3-digit code is the CRI band: 8xx = 80–89, 9xx = 90+. The two other digits are the Kelvin in hundreds: 927 = CRI 90+, 2700K.
US · E26 120 V
Philips Ultra Definition LED A19, 8W, 2700K (8-pack)
Listing: 60 W equivalent, 800 lm, E26 base, dimmable, flicker-free. Listed as CRI 95.
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