Measuring Audio Loudness with LUFS and Peak Metrics
This loudness meter analyzes your audio file and reports integrated loudness (LUFS), true peak (dBTP), loudness range (LU), and RMS level (dB). All processing happens in your browser—no upload required.
Integrated loudness measures perceived loudness over the entire file, matching how humans hear. True peak catches inter-sample peaks that might clip during playback. Loudness range shows the dynamic spread. RMS indicates average power level.
Who Needs Loudness Measurement
- Podcasters who want to meet Spotify's -16 LUFS target. They measure their episodes and adjust accordingly.
- Musicians mastering tracks for streaming. They check integrated loudness against platform targets: -14 LUFS for Spotify, -16 for Apple Music.
- Audio submitters who have audio that sounds quiet compared to other content. They measure to see if it's actually below standard levels.
- Video creators who need to ensure their videos meet YouTube's loudness requirements. They measure before uploading.
- Audio engineers diagnosing dynamic range issues. Loudness range tells them if compression is too heavy or too light.
What to Know Before Using It
- LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is the modern standard for perceived loudness. It's more accurate than RMS for matching how humans hear.
- True peak (dBTP) can be higher than sample peak. It catches peaks that occur between samples during DAC reconstruction.
- Loudness range (LRA) shows dynamic variation. High LRA means wide dynamics; low LRA means heavy compression.
- RMS (Root Mean Square) is the traditional average level measurement. It's less sophisticated than LUFS but still useful.
- This is a measurement tool, not a fix. Use the normalizer or compressor tools to actually change loudness.
FAQ
- What's a good LUFS level for podcasts?
- -16 to -19 LUFS is common for podcasts. Spotify normalizes to -14 LUFS, so anything in that range works well.
- What LUFS should music be?
- Streaming platforms normalize to different levels: Spotify -14 LUFS, Apple Music -16 LUFS, YouTube -14 LUFS. Many commercial releases are louder (-8 to -12 LUFS) but get turned down by platforms.
- What does loudness range tell me?
- High LRA (15+ LU) means wide dynamics—quiet quiet parts, loud loud parts. Low LRA (under 5 LU) means heavy compression—everything is similar volume.
- What's true peak and why does it matter?
- True peak catches peaks between samples that can cause clipping during playback. Keep true peak under -1 dBTP to avoid issues.
- Is RMS still useful?
- Yes—RMS gives a quick sense of average level. LUFS is more accurate for perceived loudness, but RMS is simpler and still relevant.
- Can this measure short-term or momentary loudness?
- No—this measures integrated (whole-file) loudness. For momentary or short-term measurements, you need a real-time loudness meter.