What is LUFS and why does it matter?

LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is the standard measurement for perceived loudness. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube use LUFS to normalize playback volume, so hitting the right target ensures your music sounds as intended without unwanted gain changes.

What loudness target should I aim for on Spotify?

Spotify normalizes to -14 LUFS integrated. If your track is louder, Spotify turns it down; if quieter, it may turn it up (depending on user settings). Mastering to around -14 LUFS gives you the best balance of dynamics and loudness on the platform.

What is true peak and why should I check it?

True peak measures the absolute maximum level of your audio after digital-to-analog conversion, accounting for inter-sample peaks that standard peak meters miss. Streaming platforms recommend a true peak ceiling of -1 dBTP to prevent distortion during encoding.

Is my audio uploaded to a server?

No. The LUFS meter runs entirely in your browser. Your audio files never leave your device — all decoding and loudness analysis happens client-side using the Web Audio API. Nothing is uploaded, stored, or transmitted.

What audio formats does the loudness meter support?

The meter supports all common audio formats including WAV, MP3, FLAC, AAC, and OGG. Any format your browser can decode will work — no plugins or downloads needed.

What is loudness range (LRA)?

Loudness range (LRA) measures the variation in loudness across your track, expressed in LU (loudness units). A higher LRA indicates more dynamic range. Most streaming-ready masters fall between 5-12 LU, though the ideal range depends on genre and artistic intent.

How is the LUFS meter different from full loudness management in SyncMuse?

This meter lets you analyze a single file manually. SyncMuse provides automatic loudness tracking across every revision of your project — every time you save, SyncMuse measures LUFS, true peak, and LRA so you can compare loudness changes across your entire version history.

Can I compare two audio files side by side?

The LUFS meter analyzes a single file. To compare two audio files — for example, a pre-master and mastered version — use our free AudioDiff tool at /tools/diff. It lets you A/B listen and see waveform differences between any two files.

Loudness Meter

Free Online LUFS Meter

Measure integrated LUFS, true peak, and loudness range — then compare against Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube streaming targets. Entirely in your browser.

No uploads. No signup. 100% client-side.

Drop your audio file here

or click to browse · WAV, MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG

How to Check Your Loudness

Measure LUFS and true peak online in three steps

Upload your file

Drag and drop an audio file to analyze. Supports WAV, MP3, FLAC, AAC, and OGG.

Analyze loudness

The meter measures integrated LUFS, true peak, loudness range (LRA), and short-term loudness — all in your browser.

Compare to streaming targets

See how your track stacks up against Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other platform loudness targets at a glance.

Why Check LUFS Before Release?

Streaming platforms normalize loudness automatically — checking LUFS before you distribute ensures your music sounds the way you intended

Hit streaming platform targets

Check your integrated LUFS against Spotify (-14), Apple Music (-16), and YouTube (-14) before distributing to avoid unexpected volume changes.

Verify mastering loudness

Measure your master against reference tracks and confirm your true peak stays below -1 dBTP to prevent clipping during codec conversion.

Maintain dynamic range

Monitor your loudness range (LRA) to ensure you preserve dynamics while still meeting competitive loudness standards for your genre.

Check consistency across an album

Analyze each track in your album or EP to ensure consistent loudness and true peak levels across the full release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the LUFS Meter

Ready to track loudness across every revision?

SyncMuse automatically measures LUFS, true peak, and LRA for every version of your project. Compare loudness changes over time and share reports with your team.

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Built by SyncMuse — version control for music production