LUFS Loudness Metering Guide: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music Targets

Loudness metering has become essential for modern audio production. Streaming platforms normalize audio to specific loudness targets, meaning your carefully crafted master might get turned down (or up) during playback. Understanding LUFS metering ensures your music sounds exactly as intended across all platforms.

What is LUFS?

LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) measures perceived loudness according to human hearing, not just signal amplitude. Unlike peak meters that show instantaneous maximum levels, LUFS meters analyze audio over time to determine how loud it actually sounds.

LUFS is defined by international standards:

• ITU-R BS.1770 – The measurement algorithm
• EBU R128 – European broadcast implementation
• ATSC A/85 – US broadcast implementation

Platform Loudness Targets

Each streaming platform has its own loudness normalization target. Mastering to these targets ensures your audio plays back at the intended level:

Why Loudness Normalization Matters

Before loudness normalization, the "loudness war" pushed masters to extreme levels. Quieter tracks seemed inferior, so everyone competed to be loudest. This crushed dynamics and fatigued listeners.

Normalization changed everything:

• Level playing field – All tracks play at similar perceived loudness
• Dynamics preserved – No advantage to crushing dynamics
• Better listening experience – Consistent volume across playlists
• Intentional mastering – Focus on quality, not just level

Understanding True Peak

True Peak (dBTP) measures the actual maximum level including inter-sample peaks – peaks that occur between digital samples during D/A conversion.

A track can read 0 dBFS on a sample peak meter but actually exceed 0 dB during analog playback, causing clipping. True peak limiting prevents this.

Loudness Range (LRA)

Loudness Range measures the dynamic variation in your audio – the difference between loud and quiet sections. It's measured in LU (Loudness Units).

• Low LRA (2-5 LU) – Heavily compressed, consistent level (EDM, pop)
• Medium LRA (6-12 LU) – Moderate dynamics (rock, country)
• High LRA (12+ LU) – Wide dynamics (classical, film scores)

Genre expectations vary. A classical recording with LRA of 20 LU is appropriate. The same LRA on a dance track would sound inconsistent.

Metering Best Practices

During Mixing

1. Use LUFS metering as a reference, not a target
2. Check short-term loudness on choruses and drops
3. Monitor true peaks to avoid intersample clipping
4. Compare your mix to reference tracks in the same genre

During Mastering

1. Measure integrated LUFS of the entire track
2. Set true peak ceiling at -1 dBTP or lower
3. Check LRA matches genre expectations
4. A/B compare at matched loudness levels

Before Distribution

1. Verify integrated LUFS meets platform targets
2. Confirm true peak doesn't exceed limits
3. Check for clipping or limiting artifacts
4. Listen on multiple playback systems

Common Mistakes

Mastering Too Loud

If your master is significantly louder than the platform target, normalization will turn it down. All that limiting you did? Wasted – you could have preserved those dynamics.

Ignoring True Peak

Sample peak limiting isn't enough. Use true peak limiting to prevent intersample clipping on playback systems.

Targeting Only One Platform

Your music will play on multiple platforms with different targets. A master at -14 LUFS works well on Spotify/YouTube but may be turned down on Apple Music (-16 target). Consider creating platform-specific masters if loudness is critical.

Measuring at Wrong Point

Measure after all processing, at the final output. LUFS readings before your limiter are meaningless for delivery.

Using DualView for Loudness Metering

DualView includes professional loudness metering as part of its audio comparison suite:

1. Open DualView and switch to Audio mode
2. Upload your audio file(s)
3. View real-time LUFS measurements
4. Check platform target compliance
5. Compare loudness between versions A and B

The comparison feature is particularly useful – upload two masters at different loudness levels and see how they compare on the LUFS meter.

Conclusion

LUFS metering has transformed audio mastering. Understanding how platforms normalize loudness lets you make informed decisions about your masters.

Key takeaways:

• Master to platform targets (typically -14 to -16 LUFS)
• Always use true peak limiting (-1 dBTP or lower)
• Dynamics are valuable – don't sacrifice them for loudness
• Check your masters on LUFS meters before distribution