Loudness targets · Streaming
Spotify loudness target: −14 LUFS
Spotify normalizes playback to about −14 LUFS integrated. A louder master gets turned down, so it doesn't sound louder. It just gives up dynamics for nothing.
What Spotify does with your master
Spotify measures the integrated loudness of each track (or the whole album, in album mode) and adjusts playback gain so everything lands near the same level. With the default Normal setting, that reference is about −14 LUFS.
- Louder than −14 LUFS: the track is turned down by the difference. A −9 LUFS master plays about 5 dB quieter than you sent it.
- Quieter than −14 LUFS: the track may be turned up, but only as far as its peaks allow.
Loudness normalization means the loudness war doesn't pay off on Spotify. A heavily limited master ends up at the same level as a dynamic one, just flatter.
What to aim for
You don't have to hit −14 exactly. The number tells you where your track will play, not a rule. What matters in practice:
- Know your integrated loudness over the whole song, not a loud chorus.
- Keep true peak at or below −1 dBTP, or −2 dBTP for a loud master. Lossy encoding can push peaks over.
- Decide how much turn-down you're happy with. If your genre sits at −8 LUFS, expect about 6 dB of turn-down and judge the mix at that playback level.
Targets change
Streaming services adjust their normalization from time to time. The figures here match the Spotify target built into MixOutpost. Check Spotify's own artist guidance before a critical release.
Checking Spotify loudness with MixOutpost
MixOutpost measures loudness on your iPhone, from the exact audio your Mac sends, while the session plays. There's nothing to bounce first.
- 01
Stream your master bus
Insert the MixOutpost plugin last on the Stereo Out and press Start Sharing. Pair your iPhone once with a QR code.
- 02
Open Loudness and pick Spotify
You'll see momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS, LRA, true peak and maxima (EBU R128). With Spotify selected, the app shows how many dB Spotify would turn the track down.
- 03
Play the whole song
Integrated loudness needs the full song. Reset and play from the top. The reading measures what the Mac sends, before Listen as, Dim, Mute or volume on the phone.
Because you're on the phone, you can also hear the result the way many Spotify listeners will: on the phone speaker or AirPods, with the level pulled down to −14.
Spotify compared with other services
| Service | Integrated | True peak |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Apple Music | −16 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| YouTube | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Amazon Music | −14 LUFS | −2 dBTP |
| Tidal | −14 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
| Deezer | −15 LUFS | −1 dBTP |
See every target, including TV, film and podcasts, on the loudness targets page.
Questions
What LUFS should I master to for Spotify?
There's no required number. Spotify turns playback to about −14 LUFS integrated by default. Masters louder than that get turned down, so many engineers aim near −14 or pick a level for the genre and accept the turn-down. Keep true peak below −1 dBTP either way.
Does Spotify turn quiet songs up?
At its default setting it can raise quieter tracks, but only as far as the track's peaks allow. It doesn't add a limiter to make room. So a quiet master with high peaks may stay quieter than −14 LUFS.
Why −1 dBTP?
Most Spotify playback uses lossy encoding, which can create inter-sample peaks above the original, so a ceiling of −1 dBTP leaves room to avoid clipping on playback. Spotify suggests −2 dBTP for masters louder than −14 LUFS.
Can listeners change the level?
Yes. Spotify's Loud, Normal and Quiet settings use different reference levels, and listeners can turn normalization off. −14 LUFS is the default.
Hear your mix on your phone
Free Mac plugin (AU, VST3) and iPhone app. Lossless, bit-exact and encrypted.