LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is the standard measurement for perceived audio loudness used by all major streaming platforms. Each platform normalizes playback to a target LUFS, so masters louder than the target get turned down — and you lose the dynamic range you compressed away.
Streaming Platform Loudness Standards
| Platform | Integrated LUFS | True Peak | Normalization |
|---|
Mastering Target Guide by Release Type
Understanding LUFS Measurements
Integrated LUFS
Average loudness over the entire track. This is the primary streaming target. Measured from start to end of audio.
Short-Term LUFS
Loudness over a 3-second sliding window. Used for checking loudness consistency within a track. Not the streaming target.
True Peak (dBTP)
Maximum sample peak after inter-sample interpolation. Keep at -1 dBTP or lower to prevent codec artifacts and clipping.
How to Use the Audio Loudness Reference
This LUFS reference guide gives you the loudness targets for every major streaming platform. Use these targets when mastering music to ensure it sounds its best on each service.
Why LUFS Matters for Streaming
Streaming platforms measure your track's integrated loudness and compare it to their target (usually -14 LUFS). If your track is louder, the platform turns it down to match. If it's quieter, it stays at its native level (or gets boosted slightly, depending on the platform). Masters crushed to -8 LUFS don't get the "louder = better" benefit — they sound over-compressed and over-limited compared to well-mastered tracks at -14 LUFS.
Recommended Mastering Workflow
Target -14 LUFS integrated for general streaming distribution. Measure with a LUFS meter (Youlean Loudness Meter is free). Keep your true peak at -1 dBTP to prevent inter-sample clipping in streaming codecs. Use a brickwall limiter as your final stage to control true peak while managing perceived loudness.
Special Cases
Classical music and jazz: aim for -18 to -23 LUFS for more dynamic range. Heavy metal and EDM: -8 to -10 LUFS integrated is common (Spotify will normalize down, but the dynamic character is preserved). Broadcast TV/podcast content: -23 LUFS per EBU R128 standard. Streaming normalization has largely eliminated the loudness wars in the streaming era.
FAQ
Is this LUFS reference free?
Yes, completely free. Reference all platform loudness standards without any account or payment.
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What is LUFS?
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is a standardized measurement of perceived audio loudness. Unlike peak level (dBFS), LUFS accounts for how humans perceive volume over time. -14 LUFS integrated means the average perceived loudness is 14 dB below the digital maximum.
What happens if my track is too loud for Spotify?
Spotify normalizes tracks to -14 LUFS. If your master is louder (e.g., -8 LUFS), Spotify reduces playback volume. This makes your track sound quieter than -14 LUFS masters and wastes the loudness you crushed into the mix.
What is the difference between integrated and short-term LUFS?
Integrated LUFS measures average loudness over the entire track — this is the main platform target. Short-term LUFS measures loudness over a 3-second window. Momentary LUFS is a 400ms window. For streaming, integrated LUFS is what matters.
What is true peak and why does it matter?
True peak (-1 dBTP is the standard) measures the actual analog peak after digital-to-analog conversion, which can exceed the digital sample peak. Inter-sample peaks above 0 dBTP cause clipping in some decoders and streaming codec artifacts.
Should I master differently for each platform?
Generally, master to the strictest target (-16 LUFS for Apple Music) and it will sound fine everywhere. Spotify, YouTube, and Tidal are all at -14 LUFS. Broadcast TV (EBU R128) targets -23 LUFS, requiring a separate master for that use case.