What LUFS is
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) measures the average loudness of a whole track, weighted for the fact that our ears are more sensitive to mids than to deep bass. It's the standard used in broadcasting, TV, and streaming services.
Three things to remember:
- The number is always negative. −8 LUFS is louder than −14 LUFS.
- 1 LUFS is roughly 1 dB.
- A gap of about 3 LUFS or more is easy to hear when you switch tracks.
Why not just look at the peak
The peak only tells you the single loudest moment. Two tracks that both peak at 0 dB can sound completely different: one is heavily compressed and loud all the way through, the other has room to breathe and sounds much quieter.
LUFS measures what you actually hear, so it's the number to compare tracks with.
Typical numbers
| Source | Typical level |
|---|---|
| Electronic music mastered for clubs | about −9 to −6 LUFS |
| Common target of streaming services | about −14 LUFS |
| Film and TV | about −24 to −23 LUFS |
A downloaded electronic track sitting at around −12 LUFS will sound noticeably weak next to the rest of your crate.
How LUFS helps DJs
- Balance levels before the set. Know which tracks are much quieter so you're ready to bring the gain up, with no dip in the transition.
- Spot overcooked tracks. Anything louder than about −6 LUFS often loses punch, flattens the kick, and distorts on a big system. See what clipping is.
- Spot odd copies. If one copy of a track is much quieter than another, it may have been ripped from a different source. Check it before you play it.
Balancing while you play
LUFS is a starting point, your ears have the final say. Set the gain (trim) on the mixer so both tracks sound equally loud, then use the faders. The level meters shouldn't sit in the red.
Faster with TaxonomyDJ
TaxonomyDJ measures loudness (LUFS) for every track along with BPM and key, for free. In the Inspector tab, a file's loudness is also compared to your own library, so outliers stand out right away.