Combined Color Temperature
Find the average color temperature when mixing two lights of different kelvin.
About Combined Color Temperature
Color temperature averages must be done in mired, not kelvin, because mired is linear for light mixing. Mixing mismatched lights gives an odd green or cast balance, so averaging in mired shows how close together two sources really are.
Formula
Combined Color Temperature
Average in mired, then convert back to kelvin
- mired
- 1,000,000 / kelvin; averaging in mired is correct
Worked example
With the default values below, Combined Color Temperature returns Combined Temperature of 3,805. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Light A (K)minimum 100
- 5,200
- Light B (K)minimum 100
- 3,000
Results
- Combined Temperature
- 3,805 K
- Combined Mired
- 263
- Match Assessment
- Lights are reasonably matched
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Combined Color Temperature
- 3Combined Temperature= 3,805 K
- 4Combined Mired= 263
- 5Match Assessment= Lights are reasonably matched
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to whole numbers, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Combined Color Temperature calculated?
Average in mired, then convert back to kelvin Color temperature averages must be done in mired, not kelvin, because mired is linear for light mixing.
Why does Combined Color Temperature matter?
Mixing mismatched lights gives an odd green or cast balance, so averaging in mired shows how close together two sources really are.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 2 inputs: Light A (K), Light B (K). The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.