Have you ever bought an item of clothing that looked black in the store, but navy blue in daylight? You were the victim of poor Color Rendering.
What is Color Rendering Index (CRI)?
CRI is a scale from 0 to 100 that measures how accurately a light source reveals the true colors of objects compared to natural sunlight (which is CRI 100). The higher the CRI, the more vibrant and accurate colors appear.
| CRI Value | Quality | Recommended Application |
|---|---|---|
| < 70 | Poor | Street lighting, parking garages |
| 80 - 89 | Good | Basic offices, general areas |
| 90 - 95 | Excellent | Luxury homes, retail stores, museums |
| 95+ | Superb | Art galleries, medical exams, jewelry displays |
Why CRI Matters in Retail
In retail, CRI directly impacts sales. Fresh produce looks more appetizing under high-CRI lights. High-end fashion fabrics display their true textures. For showrooms and boutiques, we strictly recommend CRI 90 or above. Visit our [Retail Lighting](/retail-lighting) page for more.
When checking specs, look for the 'R9' value. R9 measures how well the light renders deep reds, which is essential for skin tones and food.
