What is LUFS?
LUFS stands for Loudness Units relative to Full Scale. It measures how loud audio is perceived over its whole length, unlike the peak level, which only shows the single loudest sample.
Players and platforms aim for a similar volume across shows. An episode that is much quieter than the target makes listeners reach for the volume knob, and one that is louder gets turned down by the platform, sometimes with audible distortion. Normalizing to the target avoids both.
The tool measures integrated loudness in LUFS with the K-weighting and gating of ITU-R BS.1770, applies a single gain change and keeps the peaks under -1 dB with a limiter. Nothing is uploaded, the work happens in your browser tab.
How to use it
Choose a file
Drop an MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG, FLAC or WebM file (up to 30 minutes and 250 MB) onto the box or pick it from your device.
Pick a target
Podcast (-16 LUFS) suits most shows. Streaming (-14 LUFS) is closer to what YouTube and Spotify normalize music to, and Broadcast (-23 LUFS) follows EBU R128.
Check the numbers and download
The tool shows the loudness before and after and the gain it applied. Compare the two versions, then download the result as a 16-bit WAV at 48 kHz.
Which target to choose
| Target | Loudness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast | -16 LUFS | A common target for podcasts, for example Apple's recommendation for stereo shows |
| Streaming | -14 LUFS | Close to the level YouTube and Spotify normalize music to |
| Broadcast | -23 LUFS | EBU R128, the European standard for radio and television |
Good to know
- Normalize last: do noise removal, EQ and editing first, because each of them changes the level.
- Loudness normalization changes the volume, not the dynamics. A very uneven recording stays uneven; it needs a compressor, not a louder gain.
- If the result lands slightly below the target, the limiter held back a few loud peaks at -1 dB. That is the safe outcome, a louder file would clip.
- Aim for the target of the place your show is heard most. If you are unsure, -16 LUFS is the safe default for podcasts.
What happens to your file
The file is decoded and processed by your browser and written back as a download. It is not sent to Airtape or any other server, and it is not stored. You can check this in your browser's network tab: no request carries your audio.
Frequently asked questions
Why -16 LUFS for a podcast?
It is a widely used target for podcasts: loud enough for phones and cars, quiet enough that platforms rarely turn the episode down. Check the guidelines of your host or platform if you have a specific requirement.
Is this the same as compression or mastering?
No. It applies one gain change to the whole file and limits stray peaks. It does not even out loud and quiet passages the way a compressor does.
Why is my result a little below the target?
A few loud peaks would have clipped at the new level, so the limiter held them back at -1 dB. The tool shows the measured result, so you see exactly what you got.
Is my audio uploaded anywhere?
No. Measuring and processing run inside your browser tab, and the result is created on your device.
Further reading
Free voice EQ for male and female voices
The next step after noise removal: clear up the tone.
Free background noise remover
Clean the raw recording first, before EQ and loudness.
How to record your first podcast
From setup to a finished episode.
Podcast recording with Airtape
Local tracks per guest, so the call quality never ends up in the file.
Free audio converter
Convert the finished file to MP3, M4A, Opus or FLAC.