LUFS Loudness Standards for Every Platform (2026)
The complete reference for target loudness levels across streaming music, video platforms, podcasts, broadcast, and more. Updated for 2026.
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is the industry standard for measuring perceived loudness. True Peak (TP) is the maximum sample level to prevent clipping during digital-to-analog conversion.
Streaming Music
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | -14 | -1 | Normalizes to -14 LUFS by default. Users can change to -11 (Loud) or -23 (Quiet). |
| Apple Music | -16 | -1 | Uses Sound Check normalization. Targets -16 LUFS integrated. |
| Amazon Music | -14 | -2 | Similar to Spotify's target. Applies normalization on playback. |
| Tidal | -14 | -1 | Normalizes to -14 LUFS. HiFi and Master tracks may differ. |
| YouTube Music | -14 | -1 | Follows YouTube's standard normalization. |
| Deezer | -15 | -1 | Targets -15 LUFS with ReplayGain-style normalization. |
| SoundCloud | -14 | -1 | Applies normalization on playback. No penalty for louder uploads. |
| Pandora | -14 | -1 | Standard streaming normalization. |
Video Platforms
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | -14 | -1 | Normalizes down but does NOT turn up quiet content. Master at -14 LUFS for optimal playback. |
| TikTok | -14 | -1 | Heavily compresses audio. Aim for -10 to -14 LUFS for best results in the feed. |
| Instagram Reels | -14 | -1 | Similar to TikTok. Louder content tends to grab attention in the feed. |
| Facebook/Meta | -16 | -1 | Targets -16 LUFS for video content. |
| Twitch | -14 | -1 | No automatic normalization, but -14 LUFS is the community standard. |
| Vimeo | None | — | No automatic loudness normalization. Encode at your preferred level. |
Podcasts
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | -16 | -1 | Recommends -16 LUFS mono, -19 LUFS stereo. Applies Sound Check. |
| Spotify (Podcasts) | -14 | -1 | Same normalization as music. Louder than Apple's target. |
| Google Podcasts | -16 | -1 | Targets -16 LUFS. Same as Apple's recommendation. |
| Amazon/Audible | -14 | -3 | ACX requirements: -18 to -23 LUFS for audiobooks. Podcasts follow -14. |
Broadcast & Film
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Broadcast (ATSC A/85) | -24 | -2 | FCC-mandated standard. The CALM Act requires commercials to match program loudness. |
| EU Broadcast (EBU R128) | -23 | -1 | European standard. Used by BBC, ARD, France Télévisions, etc. |
| Netflix | -27 | -2 | Theatrical-style mix. Uses dialogue-gated loudness (dialog at -27 LUFS). |
| Disney+ | -24 | -2 | Follows theatrical/broadcast standards. |
| Film (Theatrical) | -24 | -2 | Dolby standard for cinema. Wide dynamic range. |
| Advertising (US) | -24 | -2 | Must match surrounding program content per CALM Act. |
Gaming & Other
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Audio | -18 to -23 | -1 | No universal standard. -18 LUFS is common for cutscenes, -23 for ambient. |
| Zoom/Teams/Meet | None | — | Auto gain control adjusts dynamically. No fixed LUFS target. |
| Clubhouse | None | — | Live audio with auto gain. No fixed standard. |
| CD Audio | -9 to -14 | 0 | No standard — the 'Loudness War' pushed CDs to -7 to -9 LUFS. |
| Vinyl | -14 to -18 | — | Physical constraints naturally limit loudness. Typically more dynamic than CD. |
Why LUFS Matters for Your Videos
If your video's audio is too quiet (well below the platform's target LUFS), it will sound noticeably softer than other content in the user's feed. This is especially important on YouTube and TikTok, where YouTube will NOT boost quiet content — it only turns down content that exceeds -14 LUFS.
This means if your video is at -24 LUFS (common for raw phone recordings), it will play back 10 dB quieter than properly mastered content. Viewers will either skip your video or fumble with their volume buttons — neither is good for engagement.
The fix: boost your video's audio to match the platform's target before uploading. On iPhone, Loudify makes this easy — amplify up to 1000% and apply noise reduction in seconds.
FAQ
What LUFS should I target for YouTube?+
YouTube normalizes to -14 LUFS. Master your audio to -14 LUFS integrated with -1 dBTP true peak. YouTube will turn down louder content but will NOT boost quiet content — so being too quiet is worse than being too loud.
What's the difference between LUFS and dB?+
dB (decibels) measures the level of an audio signal. LUFS measures perceived loudness, taking into account how human hearing works — we're more sensitive to mid-range frequencies. Two signals can have the same dB peak level but different LUFS readings because of their frequency content.
Should I master differently for different platforms?+
For most creators, mastering to -14 LUFS with -1 dBTP is a safe universal target. This works well for YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, and most platforms. Only broadcast (-24 LUFS) and Apple Podcasts (-16 LUFS) differ significantly.
How do I measure LUFS?+
Professional tools like iZotope Insight, Youlean Loudness Meter (free), or EXPO Loudness Meter can measure LUFS in real-time. For a quick check, many DAWs (Logic Pro, DaVinci Resolve Fairlight) have built-in loudness meters.
Video audio too quiet for the platform?
Loudify boosts video volume up to 1000% so your content hits the right LUFS target. Free on iOS.