LUFS Loudness Gain Calculator
Modern streaming platforms normalize audio to a target integrated loudness level measured in LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale). Masters that are louder than the target get turned down automatically, and quieter masters are sometimes boosted. To ensure your music sounds its best without surprise gain reduction, master to the platform target. This calculator tells you exactly how many decibels of gain to add or remove to reach your target. Measure your integrated LUFS in your DAW loudness meter, enter that value and your target, and the required gain adjustment is shown instantly.
LUFS gain formula
Gain (dB) = Target LUFS - Measured LUFS
Positive result: add gain (audio is quiet)
Negative result: reduce gain / attenuate (audio is loud)
LUFS and LU (Loudness Units) are numerically equal to decibels for gain adjustment purposes. A result of +4 dB means apply 4 dB of make-up gain. A result of -3 dB means reduce the level by 3 dB. Perform the adjustment before your final limiter if adding gain.
Streaming platform LUFS targets
- Spotify: -14 LUFS integrated (applies gain reduction if louder).
- Apple Music: -16 LUFS integrated (Sound Check normalization).
- YouTube: -14 LUFS integrated (Content ID audio normalization).
- Amazon Music / Tidal: -14 LUFS integrated.
- EBU R128 (broadcast): -23 LUFS with a maximum +/-1 LU tolerance.
LUFS loudness: frequently asked questions
What is LUFS?
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is a standardized loudness measurement for audio as defined by the ITU-R BS.1770 standard and EBU R128. It measures perceived loudness integrated over time, which correlates better with how humans hear volume than peak levels do.
What are the target LUFS levels for streaming platforms?
Common targets: Spotify -14 LUFS integrated, Apple Music -16 LUFS, YouTube -14 LUFS, Amazon Music -14 LUFS, Tidal -14 LUFS. These platforms normalize your audio to their target, so louder masters get turned down. Mastering to the target avoids unwanted gain reduction.
Is LUFS gain the same as dB gain?
Yes. Since LUFS is measured in LU (Loudness Units) which equal decibels (dB), the gain adjustment needed is simply: gain (dB) = target LUFS - measured LUFS. Applying this gain in your DAW or mastering chain will bring the integrated loudness to the target level.
What if the calculated gain is positive?
A positive gain means you need to increase the level, i.e. your audio is quieter than the target. A negative gain means you need to reduce the level. Apply the gain in your master bus plugin or export settings.
Should I apply gain or use limiting to reach a target LUFS?
For final delivery, apply the calculated gain as make-up gain before or after your limiter. Do not increase gain after the limiter by more than a fraction of a dB, as this may cause clipping. The gain calculation tells you how much level adjustment is needed; how you achieve it depends on your mastering chain.
Official sources
- ITU-R BS.1770: itu.int/rec/R-REC-BS.1770 - loudness measurement standard.
- Audio Engineering Society (AES): aes.org - loudness normalization best practices.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 15 June 2026. See our methodology.