Understanding CRI Ra 80 90 and 95 in LED Lighting

What CRI Ra Actually Measures

CRI Ra measures how accurately a light source renders eight standard colour samples compared to a reference source at the same colour temperature. A score of 100 means no perceptible shift in colour appearance.

On these products, CRI is stated as Ra above 80, above 90 or above 95, and it is a selectable option during production rather than a fixed property of the fixture.

Where Ra Above 80 Is Enough

In areas such as corridors, storage rooms, parking garages and utility spaces, where colour accuracy is not critical, Ra above 80 provides sufficient rendering without added cost.

Ra above 80 is the standard specification across the silicone strip, downlight and spot light product lines unless otherwise specified.

Where Ra 90 or 95 Earns Its Cost

In retail environments, food display areas, art galleries, showrooms and spaces where skin tone or product finish is visible, Ra 90 or 95 improves visual fidelity, especially for reds and textiles.

The silicone flexible strip range, often used in close proximity to displayed goods, offers Ra 95 as an available option.

CRI and Efficacy Are a Trade-Off

Higher CRI typically reduces lumens per watt because the phosphor blend used to fill spectral gaps absorbs some light output. Efficacy above 90 lm/W is achieved across the strip range despite this trade-off.

Select the CRI required for the application, then verify the lumens per watt value for that variant to ensure performance meets the space’s lighting needs.

How to Specify It on an Order

CRI must be specified alongside colour temperature during production, as both are set at the time of manufacturing. A run ordered as 3000K Ra>90 will differ visually from a run ordered as 3000K Ra>80.

Maintain a single CRI value across all fixtures in a single visual field to ensure consistent colour rendering and avoid visible mismatches.