Updated October 2026 · Loudness and levels
Read the integrated LUFS for the overall level of a whole file, the short-term reading for how loud a passage feels, and the momentary reading for quick changes. For speech, aim the integrated figure at your target and keep the short-term reading steady.
A LUFS meter can look intimidating, with several numbers moving at once. Most of them answer one question each. Once you know which reading to use for which job, the meter becomes a simple guide to level, and you stop guessing from the waveform.
The integrated reading is the loudness of the whole file, averaged over its length. It is the number you match to your target, and it is the one most platforms use. Read it at the end of the project, after editing, because it changes whenever you add or remove material.
The short-term reading averages over a few seconds. It tells you how loud a passage feels, which is useful for checking that a section of speech sits at the same level as the one before. If the short-term reading jumps between sections, the balance needs work, even when the integrated figure looks right.
The momentary reading averages over a fraction of a second. It moves quickly, so it is useful for spotting a loud word or a sudden noise, but it is too jumpy to set a level by. Watch it while you play, and ignore it when you make the final decision.
Some meters also show loudness range, which measures how much the level varies across the file. A speech file with a wide range can have quiet passages that are hard to hear on a phone. A narrow range can sound squashed. The right range depends on the content, so use it as a guide rather than a rule.
A meter cannot judge quality. A file can hit the right number and still have a muddy mix or a harsh voice. Use the meter to set the level, and your ears to judge the balance. The LUFS meter is a good place to practise reading the numbers on your own files.
Integrated LUFS, true peak and streaming targets. Runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
The integrated loudness of the whole finished file, checked against your target.
It averages over a fraction of a second, so it reacts to every word. That is normal.
It shows how much the level varies over the file. A very narrow range can sound squashed.
Use the meter to set the level, and your ears to judge the balance and quality.
