Free PDF · US Letter and A4
Loudness Specs Cheat Sheet
The integrated loudness, tolerance and true-peak ceiling for the broadcast and streaming specs that publish them, each row cited to the spec itself, and the platforms that publish no number.
1 page. Every figure checked against its source on October 17, 2026.
What’s on the sheet
- Target, tolerance, measurement basis and true-peak ceiling for each spec
- Broadcast: EBU R 128 and ATSC A/85, with what the US CALM Act requires
- Streaming and audio platforms that publish their numbers
- A source and a "verified on" date for every row
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A table from the sheet
The same figures as the PDF, so you can check them before you print.
| Spec | Target | Measured on | Tolerance | True peak max | Also | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBU R 128 (V5, 2023): European broadcast | −23.0 LUFS | Whole programme, gated (BS.1770) | ±1.0 LU only where the target is impractical, e.g. live; ±0.2 LU for QC measurement | −1 dBTP | 1 | |
| EBU Tech 3343: short-form (ads, promos) | −23.0 LUFS | Whole spot | As R 128 | −1 dBTP | Max short-term loudness −18.0 LUFS | 2 |
| ATSC A/85:2026-07: US broadcast | −24 LKFS | Long-form: dialogue (anchor element). Short-form: full mix | About ±2 dB measurement tolerance; aim at the target, not an edge | −2 dBTP | Annex L, streaming: one target between −23 and −27 LKFS | 3 |
| US CALM Act, 47 CFR 73.682(e) | Follow A/85 | As A/85 | — | — | Applies to commercials on US TV; the rule cites A/85:2013 | 4 |
| Free TV Australia OP-59 (Issue 4, 2018) | −24 LKFS | BS.1770-3; dialogue or full mix, stated on delivery | ±1 LU | −2 dBTP | 5 | |
| Netflix (sound mix spec, Oct 2024) | −27 LKFS | Dialog-gated, BS.1770-1, full programme | ±2 LU | −2 dBTP | Atmos or 5.1 under 15% dialogue: −24 LKFS ±2 LU, full program (BS.1770-3/-4) | 6 |
| EBU R 128 s2 (2023): streaming | −23.0 LUFS | As R 128 | — | — | Interim streaming level −20.0 to −16.0 LUFS where no loudness metadata is used | 7 |
| Apple Video and Audio Asset Guide: Dolby Atmos | −31 to −10 LKFS (ideally −30 to −18) | Dialogue, on a 5.1 render | A range, not ± | Not stated | Under 10% dialogue: full mix, −31 to −5 LKFS | 8 |
| Spotify (playback normalization) | −14 LUFS | Whole track, ITU 1770 | — | Master below −1 dBTP; below −2 if louder than −14 LUFS | Loud setting −11, Quiet −19 LUFS | 9 |
| Apple Podcasts | −16 LKFS | Whole episode, BS.1770-5 | ±1 dB | −1 dB true peak | 10 |
Sources
Checked on October 17, 2026. Spot an error or a newer version? Email support@cinemath.app.
- EBU R 128 V5 (2023)
- EBU Tech 3343 V4 (2023)
- ATSC A/85:2026-07
- 47 CFR 73.682(e)
- Free TV Australia OP-59 Issue 4
- Netflix Sound Mix Specifications & Best Practices (OC-1-6)
- EBU R 128 s2 V3 (2023)
- Apple Video and Audio Asset Guide, Dolby Atmos Audio Source Profile
- Spotify loudness normalization
- Apple Podcasts audio requirements