How Many LUFS Should My Master Be? (2026 Standards)
The Most Common Mastering Mistake
Many producers think "loud is better." But in the age of Loudness Normalization, mastering too loud can actually make your song sound quieter and worse than the competition.
When you upload your track to DistroKid or TuneCore, it gets sent to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Each platform has a different "Target Loudness." If you exceed it, they will turn you down—often aggressively.
LUFS Targets by Platform (2026)
Here is the definitive cheat sheet for your mastering limiter settings:
| Platform | Target LUFS | True Peak Max | Normalization Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | -14 LUFS | -1.0 dBTP | Turns down if loud; Turns up (limiter) if quiet. |
| Apple Music | -16 LUFS | -1.0 dBTP | Only turns down. Does NOT turn up quiet tracks. |
| YouTube | -14 LUFS | -1.0 dBTP | Strict reduction. Penalizes songs over -13 LUFS. |
| SoundCloud | Not Normalized | -0.5 dBTP | Make it loud! Aim for -8 to -6 LUFS. |
| Club / DJ | -9 to -6 LUFS | -0.3 dBTP | DJs need loudness to match other tracks. |
The "Safe" Target Strategy
You cannot master a different file for every platform. So what should you do?
The Golden Rule: Master to -9 LUFS Integrated.
Why? Because -14 LUFS (Spotify's target) is actually very quiet for modern Pop, Hip-Hop, or EDM. If you master at -14, your song will lack "punch" and density compared to chart-topping hits.
It is better to master slightly louder (-9 to -8 LUFS) and let Spotify turn you down by 5dB. Your song will retain its dynamic density and impact, whereas a native -14 master might feel "thin."
Don't Forget True Peak
While LUFS measures average loudness, True Peak measures the absolute highest point of the waveform. As discussed in our Clipping vs. Limiting guide, you must set your final limiter ceiling to -1.0 dBTP.
This provides a safety margin for the conversion to MP3/AAC. If you set your ceiling to 0.0, the compression process will create "inter-sample peaks" that cause distortion on consumer speakers.
Conclusion
Do not obsess over hitting -14 LUFS exactly. Focus on making your mix sound great first. Use -9 LUFS as a competitive target for release, and always keep your True Peak at -1.0 dB.