LUFS Loudness Targets & Calculator

See the integrated LUFS target each streaming platform normalises to, then enter your track’s measured loudness to get the exact gain change needed to hit it.

LUFS Loudness Targets & Calculator

PlatformTarget loudness
gain adjustment to hit target

Streaming platforms normalise to an integrated LUFS target; mastering louder than the target just gets turned down (and can reduce dynamics). Aim near the target with a true-peak ceiling around −1 dBTP. Audiobook (ACX) and broadcast figures are the standard reference values.

How it works

Streaming services normalise playback to a target integrated loudness in LUFS. Mastering louder than the target just gets turned down on playback (and can cost you dynamics), so it pays to aim near the target with a true-peak ceiling around −1 dBTP. The calculator subtracts your measured LUFS from the chosen target to give the gain adjustment.

FAQ

What LUFS should I master to?

For most streaming, around −14 LUFS integrated is a safe target; podcasts sit near −16. Match the platform you care about most and don’t chase loudness past it.

What is true peak?

The actual peak level after digital-to-analogue conversion. Keeping true peak below about −1 dBTP avoids distortion, especially after lossy encoding.

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