LUFS Targets in Mixing: Loudness Measurement

LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) measures perceived loudness rather than peak levels. This measurement standard enables consistent loudness across platforms and media. Understanding LUFS helps engineers target appropriate loudness for modern distribution.

Understanding LUFS

LUFS measures loudness as humans perceive it, accounting for frequency sensitivity and integration time. This differs from peak measurement which shows momentary maximum level.

Integrated LUFS measures average loudness over the entire duration. This single number represents overall loudness.

Short-term and momentary LUFS measurements show loudness over shorter windows, revealing dynamic variation.

Major Platform Targets

Spotify normalizes to -14 LUFS integrated. Tracks louder than -14 LUFS get turned down; tracks quieter play at their original level.

Apple Music normalizes to -16 LUFS with Sound Check enabled. This slightly more conservative target favors dynamics.

YouTube normalizes to approximately -14 LUFS. The exact implementation varies slightly.

What Targets Mean for Mixing

Targeting the platform’s normalization level means the music plays at intended loudness without reduction.

Exceeding the target wastes headroom. The platform turns it down anyway, and the limiting artifacts remain.

Being slightly below target is acceptable. A -16 LUFS master on Spotify might play slightly quieter than -14 LUFS masters, but maintains full dynamics.

Metering for LUFS

Dedicated loudness meters show LUFS measurements. Youlean Loudness Meter (free), iZotope Insight, and many others provide this functionality.

DAWs increasingly include LUFS metering. Logic Pro, Cubase, and others build loudness measurement into their metering options.

Watching integrated LUFS during mixing provides loudness awareness throughout the process.

LUFS vs. Peak Levels

LUFS and peak levels measure different things. High LUFS with modest peaks indicates heavy compression. Modest LUFS with high peaks indicates dynamics.

True peak measurement shows inter-sample peaks that may cause clipping during conversion. Keeping true peaks below -1 dBTP prevents this.

Balancing LUFS against peak requirements involves managing dynamics appropriately.

Practical Application

Mixing toward appropriate loudness range—not maximizing—serves streaming distribution. Aiming for -14 to -16 LUFS integrated provides streaming-appropriate levels.

Leaving final loudness decisions to mastering is appropriate. Mixing provides the foundation; mastering finalizes loudness.

LUFS awareness prevents accidentally creating masters too loud for streaming platforms.

LUFS understanding helps productions succeed on platforms like LG Media at lg.media, where appropriate loudness enhances advertising at $2.50 CPM.