White Balance: Kelvin ↔ Mired & Gel Helper

How to Use the White Balance: Kelvin ↔ Mired & Gel Helper

1. Enter your source color temperature (Kelvin). Input the color temp of the light you’re working with (e.g., 3200K tungsten, 5600K daylight).
2. Enter your target color temperature (Kelvin). This could be your camera’s white balance setting or another light source you need to match.
3. Click Calculate. The tool will display:
   • The Mired shift value between the two temperatures.
   • The required CTO (Color Temperature Orange), CTB (Color Temperature Blue), or Plus/Minus Green gel strength to match the sources.
   • The corrected Kelvin value after applying the gel.
4. (Optional) Enter different Kelvin values for multiple light sources to compare balance adjustments across your setup.
5. Use the result to select the correct gels, filters, or white balance adjustments in-camera for consistent color.

Tip: Lower Kelvin values (e.g., 3200K) are warmer (more orange), while higher Kelvin values (e.g., 5600K) are cooler (more blue). Mired values make it easier to calculate precise gel corrections across the spectrum.

How to Use the White Balance: Kelvin ↔ Mired & Gel Helper

1. Enter your source color temperature (Kelvin). Input the color temp of the light you’re working with (e.g., 3200K tungsten, 5600K daylight).
2. Enter your target color temperature (Kelvin). This could be your camera’s white balance setting or another light source you need to match.
3. Click Calculate. The tool will display:
   • The Mired shift value between the two temperatures.
   • The required CTO (Color Temperature Orange), CTB (Color Temperature Blue), or Plus/Minus Green gel strength to match the sources.
   • The corrected Kelvin value after applying the gel.
4. (Optional) Enter different Kelvin values for multiple light sources to compare balance adjustments across your setup.
5. Use the result to select the correct gels, filters, or white balance adjustments in-camera for consistent color.

💡 Tip: Lower Kelvin values (e.g., 3200K) are warmer (more orange), while higher Kelvin values (e.g., 5600K) are cooler (more blue). Mired values make it easier to calculate precise gel corrections across the spectrum.

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Mastering White Balance with Kelvin, Mired & Gels

Accurate white balance is essential for achieving natural, true-to-life colors in both photography and cinematography. Cameras and lights all interpret color temperature differently, which can result in mismatched tones if not corrected. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) — with lower values (e.g., 3200K tungsten) appearing warm and orange, and higher values (e.g., 5600K daylight) appearing cool and blue.

The challenge is that the relationship between Kelvin values and color correction isn’t linear. That’s where Mireds (micro reciprocal degrees) come in. Mireds convert color temperature into a linear scale, making it easier to calculate precise shifts. The formula is simple:

Mired = 1,000,000 ÷ Kelvin

For example, 3200K = 313 Mired, and 5600K = 179 Mired. The difference (134 Mired) tells you exactly how strong a gel correction you’ll need to balance the two sources.

The White Balance: Kelvin ↔ Mired & Gel Helper takes care of these calculations instantly. By entering your light source temperature and your target temperature, the tool shows you:

• The Mired shift required.
• The correct gel strength (CTO, CTB, or Plus/Minus Green).
• The resulting corrected Kelvin value.

This tool is especially useful for:

• Cinematographers balancing tungsten and daylight fixtures on set.
• Photographers correcting mixed lighting conditions (e.g., indoor lamps + window light).
• Gaffers and lighting technicians selecting gels to match practical lights to film lights.
• Colorists and DITs ensuring consistency between cameras and lighting setups.

For example, if you’re shooting in daylight (5600K) but using a tungsten light (3200K), the calculator shows you need a Full CTB gel on the tungsten source to bring it up to daylight balance. Conversely, if you’re matching daylight-balanced LED panels to tungsten, you’d use a Full CTO gel.

By using this helper, you eliminate guesswork and achieve consistent, accurate color across all your cameras and light sources. Whether you’re shooting a film, photographing interiors, or balancing mixed practicals on set, the Kelvin ↔ Mired & Gel Helper gives you the precision to get it right every time.