LUFS

LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) measures perceived loudness — integrating level over time with an ear-modeled frequency weighting — and is the unit behind every platform loudness target.

Integrated LUFS describes a whole program; −16 LUFS is the common podcast recommendation, −14 the common music-streaming reference. One LU equals one decibel of level change.

Peaks and loudness are independent: a −16 LUFS master still needs its true peak kept under the ceiling.

Related terms

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