Loudness for YouTube, Podcasts and Spotify
Updated October 2026
Loudness is measured in LUFS, a single number for how loud something sounds over its length. True peak tells you how close the loudest moment is to clipping.
The short version
- LUFS measures average loudness; true peak measures the highest moment.
- Many platforms turn loud files down, so a target near -14 LUFS for online video and about -16 LUFS for podcasts is a safe starting point.
- Keep the true peak below -1 dBTP so the file does not distort when converted.
- Measure the whole file, not a short part.
LUFS, in one paragraph
LUFS (loudness units relative to full scale) is the loudness people actually hear, averaged over the whole file and weighted to how the ear works. Two files with the same LUFS feel about equally loud. A peak meter cannot tell you that.
The targets people use
Platforms set their own rules and change them, so check the current guidance before you publish. As a starting point many creators use about -14 LUFS for online video (YouTube turns louder files down to around that level), about -16 LUFS for stereo podcasts and about -19 LUFS for mono or audiobook work. Tunedzy’s match loudness has presets for these targets.
True peak
True peak shows the highest level after conversion, including the overs a conversion to MP3 can create. Keep it at or below -1 dBTP. A file that reads -0.1 dBTP on the peak meter can still sound distorted once it is converted.
Set the level
- Measure the loudness of the whole file with a LUFS meter.
- Raise or lower the level to the target. Do not use a limiter to reach a high LUFS target: it squashes the voice.
- Check the true peak. If it is above -1 dBTP, a true-peak limiter at -1 dBTP is the safe fix.
The free LUFS meter on this site measures a file in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Set the loudness, check the peak
Tunedzy’s match loudness sets a voice to a target with the true peak checked, and the free LUFS meter measures a file in your browser.
Free tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Is -14 LUFS the YouTube standard?
It is a common reference, because YouTube turns louder files down toward that level. Check YouTube’s own guidance for the current rule.
Does a higher LUFS sound better?
Not always. A very high LUFS usually means the voice is squashed. A moderate level with a clean voice sounds better.
Why does my file sound quieter on Spotify?
Music platforms normalise loudness. A file that is far above the target is turned down; a file far below may be turned up with more noise.
Keep going
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How to Fix Clipped, Distorted Audio
How to Record a Voiceover on Your PhoneAll guides and comparisons · Tunedzy Go on your phone · Pricing