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# temperature

The color temperature, in degrees Kelvin, of the light source. Animatable.

```
var temperature: CGFloat { get set }
```

## Discussion

SceneKit determines the actual color of the light by multiplying the [`color`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNLight/color) value by a color corresponding to the light’s temperature. The default value of `6500` K represents a pure white light (leaving the color unmodulated); lower values (down to a minimum of zero) add a “warmer” yellow or orange effect to the light source, and higher values (up to a maximum of `40000`) add a “cooler” blue effect.

This property affects all light types, but is especially useful when working with photometric lights (see the [`iesProfileURL`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNLight/iesProfileURL) property) or physically-based rendering (see [`physicallyBased`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNMaterial/LightingModel-swift.struct/physicallyBased)). You can leave the [`color`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNLight/color) property at its default white color and use the [`intensity`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNLight/intensity) and [`temperature`](/documentation/SceneKit/SCNLight/temperature) properties to control the light using realistic parameters.

You can animate changes to this property’s value. See [Animating SceneKit Content](/documentation/SceneKit/animating-scenekit-content).

---

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