Hit the right loudness target without clipping or crushing your mix. Most streaming platforms in 2025 normalize to −14 LUFS integrated, and keeping true peaks below −1.5 dBTP prevents distortion after transcode. Upload too hot, and platforms apply aggressive limiting. Upload too quiet, and viewers turn you off. The LUFS Analyzer shows you integrated, short-term, and true peak readings in one pass so you can dial in the exact gain adjustment before you hit publish.
Table of Contents
Category hub: /creator/video
Quick Start
- Upload your audio file to the LUFS Analyzer
- Check the integrated LUFS reading (target: −14 for most platforms)
- Note the true peak level (keep under −1.5 dBTP)
- Apply the suggested gain adjustment or use the provided ffmpeg loudnorm command
- Re-analyze the normalized file to confirm you're within target range
Why LUFS Matters for Creators
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) measures perceived loudness rather than simple peak levels. When you upload audio that's hotter than a platform's target, the platform applies aggressive limiting to bring it down. This crushes your dynamics, introduces distortion, and makes your mix sound harsh on phone speakers. When you upload too quiet, viewers turn up their volume—then get blasted by the next video in their feed.
Integrated LUFS measures the average loudness of your entire track, weighted by how humans perceive sound. Unlike peak meters that only show the highest sample value, LUFS accounts for frequency response and duration. A track with a −14 LUFS reading will sound roughly as loud as another track with the same target, even if their peak levels differ.
Most platforms in 2025 normalize to −14 LUFS integrated. Upload at that target, and the platform applies minimal processing. Upload hotter, and you trigger more compression. Upload quieter, and you force viewers to adjust volume manually—leading to lower engagement and more drop-offs.
Platform-Specific LUFS Targets
While most platforms cluster around −14 LUFS, subtle differences exist. These targets come from platform documentation and ongoing mastering practice. Because algorithms evolve, rely on current measurements instead of outdated forum posts.
| Platform | Integrated LUFS | True Peak Guard |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | ≈ −14 LUFS | Keep peaks under −1.5 dBTP |
| TikTok / Shorts | ≈ −14 LUFS | Stay under −1 dBTP to avoid clipping after transcodes |
| Instagram Reels | ≈ −14 LUFS | Limit peaks to −1 dBTP |
| Spotify Podcasts | ≈ −14 LUFS | Keep peaks under −2 dBTP for headroom |
| Apple Podcasts | ≈ −16 LUFS | Stay below −1 dBTP |
YouTube & YouTube Shorts
YouTube normalizes most content to −14 LUFS. For Shorts, the same target applies, but mobile playback dominates. Phone speakers have limited bass response, so your mix should translate well on small drivers. Keep true peaks below −1.5 dBTP to survive multiple transcode passes.
TikTok & Instagram Reels
Both platforms target −14 LUFS and apply aggressive compression to content that exceeds it. Because most viewing happens on phones with the screen held vertically, mid-range frequency clarity matters more than deep bass. Keep your true peaks under −1 dBTP to avoid distortion after AAC encoding.
Spotify & Apple Podcasts
Spotify targets −14 LUFS for music and podcasts. Apple Podcasts prefers −16 LUFS, giving you slightly more headroom. For podcast workflows, voice clarity in the 2–4 kHz range is critical. Keep true peaks below −2 dBTP for Spotify to account for potential loudness fluctuations in dialogue.
True Peak Protection
True peak (measured in dBTP) accounts for inter-sample peaks that occur during digital-to-analog conversion. When platforms transcode your upload to AAC, Opus, or other lossy formats, the encoder can introduce peaks that exceed your original sample values. Keeping true peaks below −1 to −2 dBTP provides headroom for these artifacts.
Phone speakers and cheap earbuds are unforgiving. A mix that sounds clean on studio monitors can distort on a $20 pair of earbuds if your true peaks are too high. The LUFS Analyzer shows true peak readings alongside LUFS measurements, so you can catch clipping before it happens.
If your true peaks exceed −1 dBTP, apply a limiter with a ceiling set to −1.5 or −2 dBTP. This ensures you stay within safe range even after multiple transcode passes. Avoid pushing your limiter too hard—over-limiting crushes dynamics and makes your mix fatiguing.
How to Measure and Normalize
Using the LUFS Analyzer
Upload your audio file or record directly in the LUFS Analyzer. The tool displays integrated LUFS, short-term LUFS, momentary LUFS, and true peak in real-time. Once analysis completes, note the integrated reading. If you're at −18 LUFS and need to hit −14, apply +4 dB of gain. If you're at −12 LUFS, reduce by −2 dB.
The analyzer also provides a copy-ready ffmpeg command with your exact gain adjustment. Paste it into your terminal to normalize in seconds. Re-upload the normalized file to confirm you've hit the target.
Using ffmpeg loudnorm
The loudnorm filter performs EBU R128 normalization. For a quick one-pass normalization to −14 LUFS:
ffmpeg -i input.wav -af loudnorm=I=-14:TP=-1.5:LRA=11 output.wav
This command targets −14 LUFS integrated (I=-14), limits true peaks to −1.5 dBTP (TP=-1.5), and sets a loudness range of 11 LU (LRA=11). The filter analyzes your input and applies the necessary gain and limiting automatically.
Two-Pass vs Single-Pass Normalization
For highest accuracy, use a two-pass workflow. First, run loudnorm to measure your file's integrated loudness, true peak, and loudness range. Then, feed those values back into a second pass using the measured_I, measured_TP, and measured_LRA parameters. The LUFS Analyzer provides these values automatically—no manual calculation required.
Dynamics and Short-Term LUFS
Short-term LUFS measures 3-second windows and reveals how your loudness fluctuates throughout the track. For energetic music, short-term readings between −9 and −12 LUFS keep your mix punchy without crushing dynamics. For podcasts or voiceovers, short-term values closer to −12 to −14 LUFS ensure consistent dialogue levels without sudden volume jumps.
Avoid over-compressing to hit the integrated target. A track that measures −14 LUFS integrated but has no dynamic variation sounds lifeless. Your mix should breathe—louder sections should feel louder, and quieter sections should create contrast. The LUFS Analyzer shows you the short-term range so you can verify your dynamics are intact.
If your short-term LUFS readings are all within 1 dB of your integrated value, you've likely over-limited your mix. Back off the limiter threshold and allow more dynamic range. If short-term readings swing wildly (±6 dB or more), apply gentle compression to even out the levels without flattening the performance.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
- Uploading hotter than target → Platforms apply more limiting; you lose dynamics. Normalize to −14 LUFS before upload.
- Ignoring true peaks → Clipping after transcode; distortion on mobile. Keep peaks below −1.5 dBTP.
- Mixing only on studio monitors → Sounds thin on phone speakers. Check on mobile first and boost mid-range clarity if needed.
- Normalizing without measuring → Guessing leads to inconsistent results. Use the LUFS Analyzer to know your starting point.
- Over-limiting to hit target → Crushed dynamics and listener fatigue. Use gain adjustment instead of aggressive limiting.
FAQs
- What is LUFS?
- LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) measures perceived loudness rather than simple peak level. Integrated LUFS covers the entire program, accounting for frequency response and duration.
- Do all platforms normalize to −14 LUFS?
- Most do (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Spotify), but Apple Podcasts targets −16 LUFS. Always check current platform specs, as algorithms evolve.
- What's the difference between integrated and short-term LUFS?
- Integrated measures the entire track's average loudness; short-term measures 3-second windows. Short-term helps spot problem sections where loudness spikes or drops too much.
- Why keep true peaks below −1 dBTP?
- AAC and Opus encoders can introduce inter-sample peaks during transcoding. Headroom prevents clipping after multiple encode passes, especially on mobile devices.
- Can I just increase the volume to be louder than the target?
- No. Platforms normalize down, so you'll just trigger more limiting and lose dynamics. Upload at the target for best sound quality.
- What happens if I upload audio hotter than the target?
- Platforms apply aggressive limiting, which crushes dynamics and can introduce distortion on mobile devices with cheap speakers or earbuds.
- How does the LUFS Analyzer compare to desktop limiters?
- The LUFS Analyzer gives you measurements, normalization recipes, and export tools in one place—no bloated DAWs or freemium paywalls hiding the real numbers. You get instant readings and copy-ready commands.