What Is CRI and Why Does It Matter?

If a garment looks vivid in a store window but dull once you get home, the culprit is likely low CRI. The Color Rendering Index measures how accurately a light shows objects' true colors, and it is the most important yet most overlooked indicator of lighting quality.

01How Is CRI Measured?

CRI evaluates how accurately a source shows colors compared to a reference light (daylight or incandescent), on a 0–100 scale. 100 means perfect color rendering. Generally, 80 is acceptable while 90 and above is considered high quality.

02Where Is High CRI Essential?

• —Retail and displays: a product's true color directly affects sales.
• —Restaurants: food must look appetizing.
• —Homes: skin tones and furniture colors should look natural.
• —Museums and galleries: fidelity to artwork is critical.