Streaming Loudness Auditor
Drag and drop your master to calculate its LUFS and True Peak securely in your browser. See exactly how Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube will alter your track.
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Works entirely locally in your browser. We never upload your unreleased music to any servers.
Streaming Platform Normalization
Target: -14 LUFS
Target: -16 LUFS
Target: -14 LUFS
What is a Loudness Penalty?
Have you ever noticed how some songs sound incredibly loud on your computer, but when you upload them to Spotify or YouTube, they suddenly sound super quiet? That is the loudness penalty in action. Streaming platforms use a system called Loudness Normalization to make sure all songs play at roughly the same volume.
If your master is mixed louder than the platform's target (usually -14 LUFS), they will automatically turn your track down. If you pushed your mix too hard and squashed all the dynamics, your song will end up sounding weak and flat compared to other tracks.
How to use the analyzer
Before you upload your track to a distributor, drop it into our analyzer. We will measure the exact LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) and tell you exactly how much Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube will turn your song down.
If the penalty is huge (like -4dB or more), you might want to go back to your mix, lower the limiter, and give your track some breathing room so it sounds punchier when streamed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Short Term LUFS?
Short Term LUFS measures the loudness over a rolling three-second window. It is incredibly useful for checking if the chorus of your song is noticeably louder and more impactful than your verses.
Should I always aim for exactly -14 LUFS?
Not necessarily. Most modern pop and electronic music is mastered slightly louder, around -9 to -11 LUFS. It is okay to get a small penalty. The goal is just to avoid destroying your track's dynamics just to make it louder.
Will Spotify make a quiet song louder?
Yes. If you master a very quiet acoustic song at -18 LUFS, Spotify will actually apply a digital boost to turn it up so it matches the -14 LUFS standard.