Loudness targets, on one page.
Platform targets, what the numbers mean, a pre-delivery checklist and how to pick the right meter.
UPDATED · 20 PLATFORMS & STANDARDS
Platform Targets
| Platform / Standard | Integrated | True Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Music Streaming | ||
| Spotify−2 dBTP if the master is louder than −14. Loud setting −11, Quiet −19. | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Apple MusicSound Check turns loud tracks down and quiet ones up. | −16 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| YouTubeTurns loud uploads down, never up. | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Amazon Music | −14 LUFS | −2 dBTP |
| TIDAL | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Deezer | −15 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| SoundCloudPlays your master as uploaded. | No normalization | −1 dBTP |
| BandcampPlays your master as uploaded. | No normalization | −1 dBTP |
| Podcasts & Audiobooks | ||
| Apple Podcasts | −16 LUFS ±1 | −1 dBTP |
| Spotify Podcasts | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| AES TD1004 (streaming & podcasts)−16 for stereo, −19 is common for mono. | −16 to −20 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Audible / ACXACX measures RMS, not LUFS. Noise floor below −60 dB. | −23 to −18 dB RMS | −3 dBFS peak |
| Film, TV & Broadcast | ||
| EBU R128 (Europe)±1 LU for live programmes. | −23 LUFS ±0.5 | −1 dBTP |
| ATSC A/85 (US) | −24 LKFS ±2 | −2 dBTP |
| ARIB TR-B32 (Japan) | −24 LKFS | −1 dBTP |
| OP-59 (Australia) | −24 LKFS | −2 dBTP |
| NetflixMeasured on dialogue (dialogue-gated). | −27 LKFS ±2 | −2 dBTP |
| Amazon Prime Video | −24 LKFS ±2 | −2 dBTP |
| Games | ||
| ASWG-R001 (home console)Sony Audio Standards Working Group. | −24 LKFS ±2 | −1 dBTP |
| ASWG-R001 (portable) | −18 LKFS ±2 | −1 dBTP |
Every platform turns tracks above its target down. Spotify and Apple Music also turn quieter tracks up, but only as far as the peaks allow; YouTube never does. So you don't have to hit −14 exactly: a louder master reaches the listener at the same level, just with less dynamics. Targets can change; the published specifications are linked below.
To see where your master sits against these targets, drop it into the Online Analyzer. It also plays your file at each service's level, so you can hear the turn-down before your listeners do.
Sources: Spotify: Loudness normalization · Apple Podcasts: Audio requirements · AES TD1004 · ACX: Audio submission requirements · EBU R128 · ATSC A/85 · ARIB TR-B32 · ITU-R BS.1770
What the Numbers Mean
Integrated LUFS
The average perceived loudness of the whole track, start to finish. This is the number platforms normalize to.
Short-Term & Momentary
Loudness over 3-second and 400 ms windows. Shows your loudest moments, like the chorus.
True Peak
The real peak once the signal is converted to analog. Above 0 dBTP it can distort during conversion.
LRA (Loudness Range)
The spread between the quiet and loud parts of a track, measured from 3-second windows. It shows how much the song moves, not how hard it's limited.
PSR (Peak-to-Short-Term Ratio)
The gap between peaks and loudness. Below 8 is usually a sign of over-compression.
PLR (Peak-to-Loudness Ratio)
True peak minus integrated loudness. Around 8 or less is a very dense master; 11 and up keeps more punch after normalization.
Correlation (Stereo Phase)
+1 means mono-compatible. Below zero, parts of the mix can disappear when played in mono.
Guides
One page per platform and per number: what it means, how it's measured and what to do about it.
What Is LUFS?
What LUFS measures, how it differs from dB and RMS, and the LUFS numbers that matter for streaming.
Spotify LUFS
What −14 LUFS means, the Loud, Normal and Quiet settings, and how loud to master for Spotify.
Apple Music LUFS
Sound Check, the −16 LUFS level, AAC and lossless, and what they mean for your master.
YouTube LUFS
YouTube turns loud videos down and never turns quiet ones up. How to read content loudness.
SoundCloud LUFS
No normalization, so louder is louder. Why true peak matters more on SoundCloud than anywhere.
True Peak vs Sample Peak
Why a master that peaks at 0 dBFS can still clip, and why −1 dBTP is the number everyone quotes.
What Is LRA?
Loudness range, how it's calculated, typical values, and what it can't tell you.
PLR and PSR
Peak-to-loudness and peak-to-short-term ratio: how hard is your master limited?
Loudness Penalty
How much Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and others turn your master down, with a calculator.
Loudmeter vs Other Meters
How Loudmeter compares with plug-ins, online meters and desktop analyzers, and when another meter fits better.
Choosing a Loudness Meter
Plug-in, online tool or app? What each kind of meter does well, and which one fits your work.
Why Meters Show Different LUFS
Same file, different numbers? The four setup mistakes behind almost every mismatch.
Five Checks Before You Deliver
- 01Is True Peak below −1 dBTP?
- 02How does Integrated compare with your target platform?
- 03Is PSR above 8? If not, you may have over-compressed.
- 04Does Correlation stay below zero anywhere for long?
- 05Did you compare against a reference track at the same loudness?
Loudness Targets FAQ
How loud should I master for streaming?
Most services play music at −14 LUFS integrated (Apple Music at −16). A louder master is turned down to that level, so aim for the sound you want rather than a number, and keep true peak at −1 dBTP or lower, −2 dBTP for loud masters.
Does Spotify turn quiet songs up?
Yes, on the default Normal setting, but only as far as the peaks allow: Spotify won't push a track's true peak above −1 dBTP to reach −14 LUFS. YouTube never turns quiet uploads up.
What is the loudness target for podcasts?
−16 LUFS integrated with peaks at −1 dBTP is the common choice for Apple Podcasts and the AES recommendation. Spotify normalizes podcasts to −14 LUFS.
What loudness is used for TV and film?
Broadcast uses −23 LUFS in Europe (EBU R128) and −24 LKFS in the US (ATSC A/85). Netflix measures dialogue at −27 LKFS. LUFS and LKFS are the same unit.
Is LUFS the same as LKFS?
Yes. Both are loudness units from ITU-R BS.1770, relative to full scale. EBU documents say LUFS, ATSC documents say LKFS, and 1 LU equals 1 dB.
GUIDE · 4 MIN READ
Choosing a Loudness Meter
Plug-in, online tool or app? What each kind of meter does well, where it falls short, and which one fits your work.
Read the Guide →Measure your file now.
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