Quick answer
Color rendering index (CRI) is a 0-to-100 score of how closely a light source shows the colors of objects compared with a reference light of the same color temperature, where a higher number means colors look more natural.
The headline number, called Ra, averages just eight pastel test colors. That is why lighting specs often add R9, the score for saturated red, and why newer metrics such as TM-30 exist.
Quick facts
The key facts about Color Rendering Index (CRI), with sources:
- Scale
- Fidelity scored up to 100; 100 means a match with the reference light 2
- Headline value
- Ra, the average of 8 medium-chroma Munsell test colors 2
- California minimum (JA8-2025)
- CRI 90 or more and R9 50 or more for most residential sources 1
- Old ENERGY STAR LED lamp floor
- CRI 80 and R9 above 0 (2010 criteria) 4
- Newer method
- IES TM-30: fidelity Rf and gamut Rg from 99 color samples 2
Key takeaways
- CRI tells you how faithfully a bulb shows colors, not how bright or how warm it is.
- The single CRI number averages eight soft test colors, so it can hide weak reds.
- Check R9 along with CRI when you light a kitchen, bath or closet where skin, food and wood tones matter.
- California’s JA8 rule asks for CRI 90 and R9 50 on most new and altered home lighting.
- TM-30 is a newer, fuller method; use it when a maker publishes it.
What CRI measures, in plain terms
Every light source has a spectrum, a mix of colors in the light it gives off. Sunlight and old incandescent bulbs have a smooth, full spectrum. Many LEDs have peaks and dips.
When a spectrum has a dip, objects that reflect that color can look dull or shifted. CRI is the number that tries to capture that effect.
To get the score, a lab compares how a set of test colors look under the lamp and under a reference light of the same color temperature. Small differences give a high score. Big differences give a low one. A perfect match scores 100 2.
The general score is called Ra. It is the average of eight test colors with medium saturation and lightness, all drawn from the Munsell color system 2. Extra samples, numbered R9 and up, cover strong colors. R9 is saturated red, and it matters because red sits in skin, wood, meat, fruit and brick.
CRI is a fidelity score. It tells you whether colors look the way they would under the reference light. It does not tell you whether colors look richer or duller, which is a separate idea measured by newer methods.
How a CRI score is worked out
You will never run this test yourself, but knowing the steps explains the limits of the number on the box.
- Measure the lamp’s spectrum in a lab.
- Pick a reference light at the same color temperature. CRI uses a step change between a warm blackbody reference and a daylight reference 2.
- Compare the test colors under the lamp and under the reference.
- Score each sample from its color shift; less shift means a higher score.
- Average samples 1 to 8 to get Ra, the number printed as “CRI.” R9 and the rest are reported separately, if at all.
- SpectrumLab measures the light the lamp gives off
- ReferenceSame color temperature, ideal source
- 8 test colorsPastel Munsell samples compared
- RaAverage of the 8 scores, printed as CRI
- R9 and upSaturated colors, reported on spec sheets
Ra is an average, so a lamp can score well overall and still render deep red poorly. Source: [2]
The color numbers you may see, and what each tells you
| Metric | What it describes | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| CRI (Ra) | Average fidelity across 8 medium-saturation test colors, up to 100 | CIE method, summarized by DOE 2 |
| R9 | Fidelity for one saturated red sample | Reported alongside Ra; required by JA8 1 |
| TM-30 Rf | Average fidelity across 99 color samples, 0 to 100 | IES TM-30 2 |
| TM-30 Rg | Gamut: whether colors look more or less saturated, roughly 60 to 140 when Rf is above 60 | IES TM-30 2 |
| Color temperature (CCT) | Whether white light looks warm or cool, in kelvin; not accuracy | JA8 caps most sources at 4000 K 1 |
Color temperature is not color rendering
A 2700 K bulb and a 4000 K bulb can both score CRI 90. Kelvin tells you the tint of the white light. CRI tells you how true colors look under it. Pick both. Our glossary entry on lighting color temperature covers the kelvin side.
Example: two lamps with almost the same CRI
DOE’s 2016 TM-30 presentation shows real lamp readings that make the point. The pairs below are copied from those slides, not from products we tested.
| Lamp shown by DOE | CRI (Ra) | R9 | What it means for a kitchen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamp A | 75 | 20 | Low overall fidelity and weak red; wood and skin can look gray |
| Lamp B | 77 | 22 | Similar Ra to Lamp A; small number gaps hide real spectrum gaps |
| Lamp C | 98 | 83 | High fidelity and strong red; food and finishes look close to daylight |
All three values come from DOE’s slides 2. The lesson is to read R9 next to CRI. A lamp at CRI 90 with R9 near zero can make a cherry cabinet or a tan face look flat, while one with R9 in the 50s or higher keeps reds lively.
Where CRI shows up when you shop and plan
On the box or spec sheet. Look for “CRI” or “Ra” and a number. Better spec sheets also list R9. If R9 is missing, ask for it or check the maker’s photometric file.
On the JA8 mark. In California, lamps and LED light engines that meet the residential rule carry a JA8 marking; JA8-2025 is the current edition 1.
On a lighting plan. A designer may write a minimum CRI and R9 on the fixture schedule. Ask for both, since an electrician will buy what the plan lists.
In the remodel scope. When fixtures are on allowance, write the color spec into the allowance so a cheaper lamp is not swapped in. Our guide to kitchen remodeling shows where lighting falls in the plan.
What a high CRI does for a remodeled room
High CRI and R9 help when
- You pick paint, tile or stone under the same lights you will live with.
- You need to judge food, skin or makeup at a counter or vanity.
- Wood floors and cabinets have red or orange tones.
- A room shows art, fabric or a feature wall.
They matter less when
- The light is for a garage, attic or utility space.
- The fixture is a night light or a path light.
- The space is lit mostly by daylight.
- Lamp life, glare or dimming are the bigger problems.
The limits of the CRI number
CRI has known blind spots. Its eight main samples are pastel, so it can miss how a lamp treats strong colors 2. It uses older color science and a reference that jumps from one kind of light to another at a set color temperature 2.
Scientists have flagged the problem for LEDs. A committee of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) found that CRI values do not agree with what people see under white LED sources and concluded that a new metric was needed 3.
CRI also says nothing about brightness, glare, flicker or color consistency from one lamp to the next. Two lamps can share a CRI and still look different side by side. Buy all the lamps for one room from the same product line.
What drives the price of high-CRI lighting
We do not list prices. What changes cost is how the maker fills the gaps in the LED spectrum.
Higher CRI and R9 usually take extra phosphor, a different LED chip or both, and that can lower the light output per watt.
California still requires at least 45 lumens per watt for JA8 sources, so makers have to balance color against efficiency 1.
Other drivers are dimming range, flicker limits and whether a lamp is rated for enclosed fixtures. JA8 asks for dimming down to 10 percent and has a separate “E” marking tied to elevated-temperature testing and a rated life of 15,000 hours or more 1.
Fixtures are a small share of most remodel budgets, but swapping lamps after the drywall is painted is a nuisance. Our kitchen remodel cost calculator shows where lighting fits in a total.
How to specify color quality for a remodel
- Decide the color temperature for each room first.
- Set a minimum CRI and R9 for rooms where color matters, such as kitchen, bath and dressing areas.
- In California, confirm the products carry the current JA8 mark for code compliance 1.
- Ask for spec sheets, and TM-30 values if the maker publishes them.
- Buy a sample and view it on your real finishes at night.
- Write the lamp model or the color spec into the plan or allowance.
- Have a licensed electrician install hard-wired fixtures and any new circuits; a permit is often required.
Bulbs are easy; wiring is not
Swapping a screw-in lamp is a homeowner task. Adding fixtures, recessed cans or new circuits is electrical work. Turn off power at the breaker before touching a fixture, and use a licensed electrician for new wiring. Most places require a permit for it.
Keeping color consistent over time
- Buy spares from the same batch so replacements match.
- Record the model numbers of every lamp and LED module in your project file.
- Replace lamps by room, not one at a time, if colors start to drift.
- Keep enclosed fixtures on enclosed-rated lamps; heat shortens LED life. In California, look for the “E” suffix on the JA8 mark 1.
- Clean lenses and diffusers; dust and yellowed plastic shift color.
Signs your lighting has poor color rendering
- Skin looks gray or green at the vanity.
- Red wood or brick looks brown or muddy.
- Paint chips match in the store but not at home.
- Two fixtures in one room look different, even with the same kelvin rating.
- No CRI or R9 is printed anywhere on the box or sheet.
If a new kitchen looks “off” after install, check the lamps before blaming the finishes. Changing lamps is far cheaper than changing tile.
Rules and programs that set CRI levels
No national building code sets a CRI minimum for homes. The federal rules for lamps focus on efficiency. Color quality rules come from state codes and voluntary programs.
California Title 24, Part 6, Joint Appendix JA8 (2025 edition). High-efficacy light sources must score CRI 90 or more (82 or more for T20 lamps) and R9 50 or more, with color temperature at or below 4000 K, efficacy of at least 45 lumens per watt and dimming to 10 percent 1.
JA8 applies to interior lighting in new and altered homes in California.
ENERGY STAR (historic). EPA’s 2010 integral LED lamp criteria required CRI 80 and an R9 above zero 4.
EPA has since sunset its lamp and luminaire programs; its lamps page is titled “ENERGY STAR Lighting Sunset - March 13, 2023” 5, and the trade press reported the end date as December 31, 2024 6.
An ENERGY STAR mark on older stock tells you about that older spec only.
Methods. The CRI method comes from the CIE. IES TM-30 is a newer method using 99 samples 2. Neither is a code by itself; codes and programs adopt them.
CRI compared with related lighting terms
| Term | Question it answers | Unit or scale |
|---|---|---|
| Color rendering index | Do colors look true under this light? | Up to 100 2 |
| Color temperature | Does the white look warm or cool? | Kelvin 1 |
| TM-30 Rf and Rg | How true, and how saturated, across 99 colors? | Rf up to 100; Rg around 100 2 |
| Efficacy | How much light per unit of power? | Lumens per watt 1 |
| Recessed lighting housing | What holds the light in the ceiling, and is it rated for insulation contact? | Fixture rating, not color |
CRI myths
- Myth CRI 90 means every color is 90 percent right.
- Reality Ra is an average of eight pastel samples; individual colors such as deep red can score far lower 2.
- Myth Warm light has better color rendering.
- Reality Kelvin and CRI are separate. A warm lamp can have poor CRI and a cool one excellent CRI.
- Myth Higher than 100 is possible.
- Reality Fidelity tops out at 100. Values above 100 belong to TM-30 gamut (Rg), which is a different measure 2.
- Myth The ENERGY STAR mark guarantees good color.
- Reality The old LED lamp floor was CRI 80 with R9 above 0, and the lamp program has been sunset 45.
- Myth CRI is the best measure for LEDs.
- Reality A CIE committee concluded that CRI does not evaluate white LEDs accurately 3.
Where state rules change the answer
Color rendering is regulated in very few places. California is the main one: its JA8 appendix sets CRI 90 and R9 50 for most residential light sources in new and altered homes, and a remodel that replaces lighting in California falls under it 1.
Other states adopt energy codes that limit watts or require high-efficacy lamps without a color floor. Ask your building department which energy code edition applies, or start with our permit checker.
Choosing a CRI for each room
For rooms where you judge color, use the California numbers as a benchmark even if you live elsewhere: CRI 90 or more with R9 of 50 or more 1. For utility spaces, the color score matters less than brightness and life.
If you are planning a bathroom remodel or a basement finish, settle lamp specs before you buy tile and paint, then check samples under the real lamps. For whole-house projects, the whole-home budget tool keeps lighting from being cut late.
- If Kitchen, bath, vanity or closet
- Then CRI 90 or more and R9 50 or more
- If Living areas with wood or art
- Then CRI 90 or more; ask for TM-30 Rf if offered
- If Garage, attic, storage
- Then Any listed CRI; focus on brightness and life
- If California new or altered home
- Then Use JA8-marked sources to meet code
Source: [1]
Questions about Color Rendering Index (CRI)
What is a good CRI for home lighting?
A CRI of 90 or more is a good target for rooms where color matters, such as kitchens and baths. California’s JA8 rule uses that level, plus an R9 of 50 or more, for most residential light sources. For garages and storage rooms, a lower CRI is usually fine.
Is CRI 80 good enough?
CRI 80 is acceptable for general lighting but can look flat in kitchens and baths. It was the floor in EPA’s 2010 ENERGY STAR LED lamp criteria, which also asked for an R9 above zero. Where you judge skin, food or wood tones, CRI 90 with a strong R9 looks noticeably more natural.
What is R9 and why does it matter?
R9 is the color rendering score for one saturated red sample. It is not part of the average that makes up the main CRI number. Reds show up in skin, wood, food and brick, so a lamp with a weak R9 can make those look dull even when its CRI looks fine.
Does color temperature affect CRI?
No, they are separate measures. Color temperature, in kelvin, describes whether white light looks warm or cool. CRI describes how true colors look under that light. A 2700 K lamp and a 4000 K lamp can both score CRI 90, so choose the kelvin you like and then check CRI and R9.
Can CRI be higher than 100?
No, CRI fidelity tops out at 100, which means a match with the reference light. Numbers above 100 you may see belong to TM-30’s gamut index, Rg, which shows whether colors look more saturated than the reference. DOE notes Rg typically ranges from about 60 to 140.
What is TM-30, and is it better than CRI?
TM-30 is a newer method from the Illuminating Engineering Society. It uses 99 color samples instead of eight, and it gives two numbers: Rf for fidelity and Rg for saturation. DOE presents it as more complete than CRI. Few home lamp boxes print it yet, so use it when a maker offers it.
Do LED bulbs have good color rendering?
Some do and some do not, because LED spectra vary. Better LEDs reach CRI 90 or more with a strong R9. A CIE committee found that CRI does not always match what people see under white LEDs, which is why reading R9 and TM-30 values helps.
Does California require high-CRI lights in a remodel?
Yes, for most interior lighting in new and altered homes. The 2025 JA8 appendix of Title 24, Part 6 requires CRI 90 or more and R9 50 or more for qualifying light sources, with color temperature at or below 4000 K. Check with your building department for your project.
Where do I find CRI on a light bulb box?
Look for “CRI” or “Ra” followed by a number, usually near the lumens and kelvin. R9 is more often on the maker’s spec sheet than the box. In California, a JA8 mark means the lamp met the state’s CRI 90 and R9 50 floor for that code edition.
Sources
- Energy Code Ace (California Energy Commission program), 2025 Reference Ace: Joint Appendix JA8, Qualification Requirements for High Luminous Efficacy Light Sources, retrieved .
- U.S. Department of Energy, M. Royer, TM-30, Color Preference, and More (Lightfair 2016 presentation), retrieved .
- NIST, Color Rendering (CIE TC1-62 findings on white LED sources), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR, Summary of ENERGY STAR Integral LED Lamp Criteria (2010), retrieved .
- U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR, ENERGY STAR Lighting Sunset - March 13, 2023, retrieved .
- LightNOW, ENERGY STAR releases timeline to sunset most lighting but launches downlight category (March 2023), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreRemodel Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: CRI method, sample counts, TM-30 ranges and the three lamp readings are taken from a DOE presentation; LED limits from the NIST-hosted CIE abstract.
California thresholds were read from the 2025 JA8 text on Energy Code Ace. ENERGY STAR values come from EPA’s 2010 criteria summary, and the sunset from EPA’s lamps page and trade press. No products were tested and no prices are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.