In short: Apple Podcasts asks for an overall loudness of about -16 LKFS, within 1 dB, with the true peak no higher than -1 dB. Spotify's artist support page gives a reference of -14 LUFS for tracks. Measure the whole episode, subtract the measured loudness from the target to get the gain change, then check the true peak still sits under the ceiling after that change.
Loudness is how loud an episode sounds over its whole length. Peak is the single loudest moment. Platforms set targets for the first, and your peaks decide how far you can raise the first before it distorts. The calculation below works from both numbers.
Know the two numbers
LKFS and LUFS are the same unit, and both describe the loudness of the whole programme. True peak is the highest level the signal reaches once it has been converted back to analogue, which can be higher than the peak your editor shows on a sample basis. Targets are written in both.
The targets
- Apple Podcasts. Apple's guidance is an overall loudness of around -16 LKFS, with a tolerance of plus or minus 1 dB. The true peak should not exceed -1 dB. Apple says these values are calculated to ITU-R BS.1770-5, and that loudness should be set before the file is encoded.
- Spotify. Spotify's artist support page gives a normalisation reference of -14 LUFS, based on ITU 1770, for tracks. Louder masters are turned down to reach it. Quieter ones are turned up, but only within headroom. That page does not mention podcasts, so confirm the figure in Spotify's podcast delivery specification before you master to it. Listeners can also choose Loud (-11), Normal (-14) or Quiet (-19) volume settings.
The calculator also lists EBU R 128 for broadcast work, which asks for -23.0 LUFS and a true peak no higher than -1 dBTP. That is a broadcast delivery target, not a podcast one. Spotify's page gives a true peak ceiling of below -1 dBTP, and the calculator uses -1 for Spotify.
Check both figures again before a big release, because platforms revise their guidance.
How the calculation works
The gain change is the target minus the measured loudness. The peak check is the measured true peak plus the gain change, which must come out at -1 or lower.
- Export the finished mix as a WAV before you make the MP3, because Apple asks for loudness to be set before encoding.
- Measure the whole episode. Use the integrated loudness reading, not the momentary or short-term one, and record the true peak at the same time.
- Work out the gain change. Target minus measured. If the episode measures -21.4 LKFS and the target is -16, the change is +5.4 dB.
- Check the peak. Add the gain change to the true peak. If the result is -1 or lower, the change is safe. If it is higher, the peaks will clip, so you need to bring them down in the edit first.
- Apply the change, export the MP3 and measure it once. Encoding can move the figures a little, so check the file you are publishing.
A worked example
| Episode | Measured loudness | True peak | Gain change | Peak after change | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | -21.4 LKFS | -7.0 dB | +5.4 dB | -1.6 dB | Passes |
| B | -21.4 LKFS | -3.2 dB | +5.4 dB | +2.2 dB | Fails, reduce the peaks first |
Episode A has room to rise to the target. Episode B has the same loudness, but a sharp peak that would clip if you raised it, so the peak has to come down in the edit before the gain change is applied.
Common mistakes
- Normalising to the peak. A peak of -1 dB does not mean the episode is at target.
- Aiming for -14 for Apple. Apple's target is -16, so an episode mastered to -14 is 2 dB too loud for its own platform.
- Measuring only the MP3, or only the master. Check the master, then the file you publish.
- Judging by ear on one speaker. Use headphones and a second device before you release.
If you would rather not measure your own files, our Classic episode package includes the audio and video edit. For the order of work that leads to a finished master, editing in the right order is the next read, and file size and bitrate covers the export settings.
Sources
- Apple Podcasts, Audio requirements, read 5 November 2026
- Spotify for Artists, Loudness normalization on Spotify, read 5 November 2026
Related guides
- Editing order of work: clean, tighten, mix, master
- File size and bitrate calculator for podcasts
- All guides and tools
The picture at the top of this page is an illustration, not a photograph of a client or a real job.
Questions we get asked
What loudness should a podcast be?
For Apple Podcasts, about -16 LKFS overall, within 1 dB, with the true peak no higher than -1 dB. Measure the finished episode before encoding, and check the MP3 once it is exported.
What is the difference between LUFS and peak level?
LUFS measures how loud the episode sounds over its whole length. Peak is the single loudest moment. Platforms set loudness targets, and your peaks decide how far you can raise the loudness before the sound clips.
Does Spotify turn podcasts up or down?
Spotify's normalisation page, which is written for music tracks and does not mention podcasts, gives a reference of -14 LUFS, with louder masters turned down and quieter ones turned up only within headroom. Check Spotify's podcast delivery specification for what it asks of podcasts before a release.
granary.digital · 01243 884993 · studio@granary.digital · The Old Grainstore, Adsdean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9DN · Prices exclude VAT unless marked inc VAT