How to choose LED headlight color temperature: 6000K vs 4300K vs 3000K

Short answer: 6000K is a cool white close to daylight and the most popular choice for headlights. 4300K is a warmer white, similar in tone to many factory xenon headlights. 3000K is yellow and is mostly used for fog lights and for drivers who prefer a warmer light in rain, fog or snow. Kelvin describes the colour of the light, not its brightness.

What the numbers mean

Colour temperature is measured in kelvin (K). Lower values look warmer (more yellow), higher values look cooler (whiter, then bluish). A typical halogen headlight looks warm white to yellowish. Most LED headlight bulbs are sold at around 6000–6500K.

Colour temperature	How it looks	Typical use
3000K	Yellow / amber-white	Fog lights; bad-weather driving
4300K	Warm white	Drivers who want a factory-xenon look or a softer white
6000K–6500K	Cool white, close to daylight	Main headlights; the most popular LED choice

Brightness is a separate question

A higher Kelvin number does not mean more light. Light output is measured in lumens and depends on the chips, the driver and the cooling. When you compare bulbs, compare lumens and the beam pattern, not the colour. For most ShinVea series, lumens and colour temperature can be customized to your requirements, so we confirm the figures with each quote.

How to plan a colour range as an importer

• Start with 6000K–6500K for headlights. It is the mainstream choice in most markets.
• Add 3000K for fog lights, especially for markets with frequent fog, dust or heavy rain.
• Consider 4300K for customers who want a warmer white, for example to match factory xenon lights on the same vehicle.
• Check local rules. Regulations on headlight colour and on LED retrofits differ between countries. Make sure the products you sell meet the rules of your market.

Multi-colour bulbs

If you do not want to stock several colours of the same bulb code, a switchable bulb is an option. The XT80 App lets the user choose 3000K, 4300K or 6000K from a phone app. The compact Q58 is specified at 6500K ±500K.

For colour options on other ShinVea models, ask on WhatsApp: for most series, colour temperature (for example 6000K, 4300K or 3000K) and lumens can be customized to your requirements. See also Do LED headlights need CANbus?.

FAQ

Is a higher Kelvin number brighter?

No. Kelvin describes the colour of the light, not its output. Brightness is measured in lumens. A 6000K bulb looks whiter and a 3000K bulb looks more yellow, but either can be brighter depending on the bulb.

Which colour temperature is best for fog?

Warmer light such as 3000K is commonly chosen for fog lights, because many drivers find yellow light causes less glare from fog, rain and snow.

Can I switch colour temperature on one bulb?

Yes, with a multi-colour bulb. The ShinVea XT80 App lets the user switch between 3000K, 4300K and 6000K from a phone app.

• color temperature
• 6000K
• 4300K
• 3000K
• fog lights