Calculate the gain required to reach a target LUFS level, predict true peak, check peak headroom, and compare loudness adjustments across multiple tracks.
Calculate LUFS Loudness Adjustment
Calculate target gain, predict true peak, check peak headroom, or compare loudness adjustments across multiple tracks.
Required gain
+4.00 dB
- Required gain
- +4.00 dB
- Peak-safe gain
- +3.00 dB
- Predicted loudness
- −15.00 LUFS
- Predicted true peak
- −1.00 dBTP
- Peak headroom before gain
- 3.00 dB
- Linear amplitude multiplier
- 1.413×
- Target difference after safe gain
- −1.00 LU
- Peak status
- Limited by ceiling
Recent calculations
This calculator does not analyze audio. Enter measurements from an ITU-R BS.1770-compatible loudness meter. Limiting, compression, clipping, codec conversion, and platform processing can change final values.
What Is LUFS?
LUFS stands for Loudness Units relative to Full Scale. It is used to describe the perceived loudness of digital audio.
Unlike a simple peak measurement, LUFS considers how audio energy is distributed over time and across frequencies. This makes it useful for comparing the overall loudness of music, podcasts, videos, broadcasts, and other audio programs.
A more negative LUFS value is quieter. A value closer to zero is louder.
For example:
- −24 LUFS is quieter than −18 LUFS.
- −18 LUFS is quieter than −14 LUFS.
- −14 LUFS is quieter than −10 LUFS.
LUFS does not describe audio quality. It measures loudness according to a standardized measurement method.
How the LUFS Calculator Works
The calculator uses measured loudness and true-peak values from an external loudness meter.
It does not upload or analyze an audio file.
Enter:
- Current integrated LUFS
- Current maximum true peak
- Target LUFS
- True-peak ceiling
- Optional short-term LUFS
The calculator determines the gain required to reach the selected target and checks whether applying that gain would exceed the true-peak ceiling.
LUFS Gain Formula
For a simple linear gain adjustment:
Required Gain in dB = Target LUFS − Current Integrated LUFS
Suppose an audio program measures −18 LUFS and the target is −14 LUFS:
−14 − (−18) = +4 dB
A gain increase of 4 dB would theoretically move the program from −18 LUFS to −14 LUFS.
This assumes that only linear gain is applied. Compression, limiting, clipping, editing, or other processing can change the final measured loudness.
Example: Increasing Loudness
Consider the following measurements:
- Integrated loudness: −20 LUFS
- Target loudness: −16 LUFS
- Maximum true peak: −6 dBTP
- True-peak ceiling: −1 dBTP
Required gain:
−16 − (−20) = +4 dB
Predicted true peak:
−6 + 4 = −2 dBTP
Because −2 dBTP remains below the selected −1 dBTP ceiling, the complete 4 dB increase can theoretically be applied without exceeding that ceiling.
Predicted result:
- Integrated loudness: −16 LUFS
- Maximum true peak: −2 dBTP
Example: True Peak Limits the Gain
Suppose the measurements are:
- Integrated loudness: −18 LUFS
- Target loudness: −14 LUFS
- Maximum true peak: −4 dBTP
- True-peak ceiling: −1 dBTP
The target requires:
−14 − (−18) = +4 dB
Available peak headroom:
−1 − (−4) = +3 dB
The target requires 4 dB of gain, but only 3 dB is available before reaching the selected ceiling.
The calculator therefore shows:
- Required gain: +4 dB
- Peak-safe gain: +3 dB
- Predicted loudness: −15 LUFS
- Predicted true peak: −1 dBTP
- Target difference: −1 LU
Reaching −14 LUFS would require additional processing, such as controlled compression or limiting, rather than linear gain alone.
How Peak-Safe Gain Is Calculated
Available true-peak headroom is calculated as:
Peak Headroom = True-Peak Ceiling − Current True Peak
Peak-safe gain is the lower of:
- The gain required to reach the target
- The available true-peak headroom
For example:
- Current true peak: −3.5 dBTP
- Ceiling: −1 dBTP
−1 − (−3.5) = 2.5 dB
A linear gain increase above 2.5 dB would predict a true peak above the selected ceiling.
Reducing Loudness
The same formula applies when the measured audio is louder than the target.
Suppose a master measures −10 LUFS and the target is −14 LUFS:
−14 − (−10) = −4 dB
The result indicates that the level should be reduced by 4 dB.
If its current true peak is −0.5 dBTP, the predicted true peak after attenuation is:
−0.5 − 4 = −4.5 dBTP
Reducing gain also lowers the true-peak value, so a limiter is not normally required for this linear attenuation.
What Is Integrated LUFS?
Integrated LUFS measures average program loudness across the complete measurement period.
It is commonly used for:
- Complete songs
- Podcast episodes
- Finished videos
- Broadcast programs
- Audiobooks
- Advertisements
- Full mixes
Integrated loudness should be measured across the complete program or the exact section being evaluated.
Measuring only a quiet introduction or loud chorus will not represent the complete program.
What Is Short-Term LUFS?
Short-term LUFS measures loudness over a shorter moving window.
It can help identify loud or quiet sections within a program, such as:
- A loud music segment
- A quiet interview answer
- An advertisement
- A video introduction
- A podcast transition
- A sudden sound effect
Short-term LUFS and integrated LUFS answer different questions.
Integrated loudness summarizes the complete measured program. Short-term loudness shows how loud a recent section is.
The optional short-term field in the calculator predicts how that measurement changes after applying the same linear gain.
What Is True Peak?
True peak estimates the maximum level of the reconstructed audio waveform.
A sample-peak meter checks the stored digital samples. A true-peak meter estimates peaks that can occur between those samples during reconstruction or conversion.
True peak is displayed in dBTP.
True-peak measurement is important because inter-sample peaks can be higher than the largest individual sample value. Audio that appears safe on a sample-peak meter may exceed the intended limit after conversion or playback processing.
LUFS vs. dBFS
LUFS describes measured loudness.
dBFS describes digital signal level relative to full scale.
Two recordings can have the same peak level but very different integrated loudness. A heavily compressed recording may remain near its peak level for longer and sound louder than a dynamic recording with the same maximum peak.
Peak level and loudness should therefore be reviewed together.
LUFS vs. dBTP
LUFS measures perceived program loudness.
dBTP measures estimated true-peak signal level.
An audio file can meet a loudness target and still exceed a true-peak limit. It can also remain below the true-peak ceiling while being quieter than the loudness target.
The calculator evaluates both values.
What Does a Gain Multiplier Mean?
A gain change in decibels can be converted to a linear amplitude multiplier:
Amplitude Multiplier = 10^(Gain ÷ 20)
Examples include:
| Gain | Approximate Multiplier |
|---|---|
| +1 dB | 1.122× |
| +3 dB | 1.413× |
| +6 dB | 1.995× |
| −3 dB | 0.708× |
| −6 dB | 0.501× |
A +6 dB gain change approximately doubles linear amplitude. It does not necessarily mean the listener will describe the sound as twice as loud.
Common Loudness Targets
Loudness targets depend on the delivery system, broadcaster, platform, region, and content type.
The calculator includes the following working presets:
- Spotify Normal: −14 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling
- Podcast working target: −16 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling
- General working target: −18 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling
- EBU R128: −23 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling
- ATSC A/85: −24 LKFS with a −2 dBTP working ceiling
The podcast and general presets are convenient production starting points, not universal standards.
Platform behavior and delivery specifications can change. Always check the current requirements for the destination before exporting final audio.
Spotify Loudness Normalization
Spotify currently describes its Normal playback setting as −14 LUFS and applies loudness normalization during playback.
A master louder than the playback target may be turned down. A quieter master may be turned up only when sufficient headroom is available.
Normalization behavior can depend on playback settings, device support, album playback, and available peak headroom.
The calculator estimates gain mathematically. It does not reproduce every part of a platform’s playback processing.
EBU R128
EBU R128 recommends an average program loudness of −23 LUFS for applicable broadcast workflows.
It also uses descriptors including:
- Program Loudness
- Loudness Range
- Maximum True Peak Level
The calculator can estimate the linear gain required to move a measured integrated value toward −23 LUFS and check it against a selected true-peak ceiling.
It does not calculate Loudness Range.
ATSC A/85
ATSC A/85 is used in U.S. television loudness workflows and is associated with a −24 LKFS program target.
LKFS and LUFS are treated as equivalent measurement units for practical numerical comparison under the associated loudness measurement framework.
Delivery requirements can include additional rules that are not represented by a simple gain calculation.
Why the Target May Not Be Reachable with Gain Alone
A loudness target may require more gain than the available peak headroom permits.
For example:
- Current loudness: −22 LUFS
- Target: −14 LUFS
- Current true peak: −3 dBTP
- Ceiling: −1 dBTP
Required gain:
−14 − (−22) = +8 dB
Available headroom:
−1 − (−3) = +2 dB
Only 2 dB can be added before reaching the ceiling. Linear gain would produce approximately −20 LUFS, which remains 6 LU below the target.
Reaching the target may require changing the relationship between average loudness and peak level through editing, compression, limiting, or remixing.
Why Limiting Changes the Calculation
A limiter reduces peaks that exceed its threshold.
If linear gain is applied first and the limiter then reduces peaks, the final integrated loudness may differ from the simple prediction.
The amount of difference depends on:
- Limiter threshold
- Attack and release behavior
- Lookahead
- Audio dynamics
- Number of limited peaks
- Amount of gain reduction
- Oversampling
- Codec conversion
Measure the processed output again after applying limiting or compression.
Comparing Multiple Tracks
The calculator can compare up to four measured integrated LUFS values with the selected target.
For a −14 LUFS target:
| Track | Measured Loudness | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Track 1 | −12 LUFS | −2 dB |
| Track 2 | −16 LUFS | +2 dB |
| Track 3 | −20 LUFS | +6 dB |
These comparison values show the linear gain needed for each track.
Because each comparison track does not include an individual true-peak measurement, check its peak headroom separately before applying positive gain.
Recommended Workflow
Measure the Complete Audio
Use an ITU-R BS.1770-compatible loudness meter to measure integrated LUFS and maximum true peak.
Select the Delivery Target
Choose the target required by the broadcaster, platform, client, or internal workflow.
Calculate the Adjustment
Enter the measured integrated loudness, true peak, target, and ceiling.
Review Peak-Safe Gain
If required gain exceeds the available headroom, do not apply the complete increase without further processing.
Process the Audio
Apply gain, compression, limiting, or mix changes as appropriate.
Measure Again
Run the loudness meter on the final processed export.
Calculation is a planning step. Final compliance should be based on measurement of the finished file.
Common Loudness Mistakes
Using Sample Peak Instead of True Peak
A sample-peak meter may not show inter-sample peaks. Use a true-peak measurement when the destination specifies dBTP.
Measuring Only Part of the Program
Integrated loudness should cover the complete program or the exact delivery segment.
Assuming Every Platform Uses the Same Target
Streaming services, broadcasters, podcast distributors, and clients can use different targets and processing.
Applying Gain Without Checking Peaks
A positive gain adjustment raises loudness and peak level together.
Treating Normalization as Mastering
Playback normalization changes playback gain. It does not replace mixing and mastering decisions.
Assuming Louder Always Sounds Better
Excessive compression or limiting can reduce dynamics and introduce distortion or listening fatigue.
Skipping the Final Measurement
Compression and limiting change the relationship between loudness and peaks. Always measure the processed result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gain moves −18 LUFS to −14 LUFS?
The theoretical linear adjustment is:
−14 − (−18) = +4 dB
The complete increase is safe only if sufficient true-peak headroom is available.
What gain moves −10 LUFS to −14 LUFS?
The required adjustment is −4 dB.
Can LUFS be calculated from peak level?
No. Peak level alone does not provide enough information to calculate integrated loudness.
Can LUFS be calculated from waveform amplitude alone?
Not with a single amplitude value. LUFS measurement applies standardized filtering, channel weighting, time integration, and gating to the audio signal.
Does this calculator analyze an audio file?
No. Enter measurements obtained from a compatible loudness meter.
Is LUFS the same as volume?
LUFS is a standardized loudness measurement. Listener volume also depends on playback equipment, volume controls, environment, hearing, and other factors.
Can the calculator guarantee platform compliance?
No. It calculates linear gain and predicted peak values. Final compliance requires measuring the finished audio and checking the current delivery requirements.
Are entered values uploaded?
No. Calculations, shared settings, and recent history are processed locally in the browser.
Calculation Methodology
The calculator uses:
Required Gain = Target LUFS − Current Integrated LUFS
Peak Headroom = True-Peak Ceiling − Current True Peak
Peak-Safe Gain = Lower of Required Gain or Peak Headroom
Predicted LUFS = Current LUFS + Peak-Safe Gain
Predicted True Peak = Current True Peak + Peak-Safe Gain
Amplitude Multiplier = 10^(Peak-Safe Gain ÷ 20)
These equations predict the result of linear gain changes. Dynamics processing, clipping, limiting, editing, encoding, and platform playback systems can produce different final measurements.
Learn how integrated loudness, true peak, normalization, and peak-safe gain work in our guide to calculating LUFS.