Streaming Loudness Targets 2026
The mastering loudness reference chart — every platform's LUFS and true-peak target in one place. Then drop a track to see PASS or ADJUST for each service. Measured in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
| Platform | Integrated LUFS | True-peak ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Apple Music | −16 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| YouTube | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Tidal | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Amazon Music | −14 LUFS | −2 dBTP |
| TikTok | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Deezer | −15 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| SoundCloud | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
What are the streaming loudness targets for 2026?
Every streaming service plays tracks back at a fixed reference loudness so listeners never have to ride the volume knob between songs. The most common 2026 target is −14 LUFS integrated with a −1 dBTP true-peak ceiling — that's Spotify, YouTube, Tidal, TikTok and SoundCloud. Deezer sits a touch quieter at −15 LUFS, Apple Music references −16 LUFS via Sound Check, and Amazon Music matches −14 LUFS but asks for a slightly deeper −2 dBTP ceiling to stay clean through its codec. If your master is louder than a platform's target, that platform turns it down by the difference — mastering to −8 LUFS doesn't win the loudness war, it just gets attenuated and arrives with squashed dynamics.
Because playback is normalized, the practical answer to "what LUFS for Apple Music" or "what is Spotify's LUFS target" is: master to the loudest common reference (−14 LUFS) with headroom to spare (−1 dBTP), and let each service normalize down from there. You lose nothing on the quieter platforms and stay competitive on the louder ones. Drop your track above and this mastering loudness reference chart becomes personal — it measures your integrated LUFS and true peak and tells you, per platform, whether you PASS or how many dB you'll be turned down or up.
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FAQ
What LUFS should I master to for Spotify?
About −14 LUFS integrated with a −1 dBTP true-peak ceiling. Spotify normalizes to −14 LUFS, so anything louder is just turned down. That same target also covers YouTube, Tidal, TikTok and SoundCloud. See the full target guide →
What LUFS is Apple Music?
Apple Music's Sound Check references about −16 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling — 2 dB quieter than Spotify. A master aimed at −14 LUFS is turned down roughly 2 dB there, which is normal and fine.
Does this upload my file?
No. Your audio is decoded and measured entirely inside your browser with the Web Audio API. It never leaves your device.