Average loudness target per platform
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Most streaming platforms use 'Loudness Normalization' to ensure a consistent listening experience. While targets vary slightly, -14 LUFS Integrated with a -1.0 dB True Peak is the industry-standard 'safe' target to avoid heavy gain reduction or unwanted limiting.
- 1.Target -14 LUFS Integrated for the most consistent results across Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
- 2.Set your True Peak (TP) ceiling to -1.0 dBTP to prevent clipping/distortion during the lossy conversion process (AAC/Ogg Vorbis).
- 3.Maintain a target of -16 LUFS Integrated for Apple Music, as their normalization standard is slightly quieter than other major streamers.
- ×Avoid pushing your True Peak higher than -1.0 dB; inter-sample peaks can cause audible distortion on cheaper speakers and Bluetooth codecs.
- ×Don't sacrifice your mix's punch and transients just to hit a high LUFS number; platforms will turn loud masters down anyway.
Master your track to sound its best dynamically at -1.0 dB True Peak rather than 'hitting a number.' If your track is -10 LUFS, the platforms will simply turn it down; if it's -18 LUFS, they may apply limiting to turn it up, which can alter your sound.
Based on AI training data — may not reflect current information.
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