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About this tool
Audio Loudness Normalizer applies EBU R128 / LUFS loudness normalization to any audio file using ffmpeg's loudnorm filter. Drop in an MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG or FLAC, pick a target loudness (Spotify -14, Apple/podcast -16, audiobook -18, EBU broadcast -23), set a true-peak ceiling, choose an output format, and download the normalized file. The whole pipeline runs locally in your browser via ffmpeg.wasm — files never leave your device. Loudness normalization is different from peak normalization: instead of rescaling to a maximum sample value, it adjusts perceived loudness across the whole file using a psychoacoustic model. That's the standard streaming services and broadcasters use to keep tracks consistently loud without clipping. Use this tool to prep podcast episodes, master a music release for streaming, or unify audiobook chapters that were recorded at different volumes.
Why use it
Hits broadcast / streaming loudness targets exactly (LUFS, not just dB)
EBU R128 / ITU BS.1770 algorithm — the same standard major platforms use
True peak control prevents inter-sample clipping after codec re-encoding
100% private — files are processed locally via ffmpeg.wasm
No watermark, no signup, no daily cap
Works on MP3, WAV, M4A, OGG and FLAC inputs
How to use
- Click or drag your audio file onto the upload area.
- Pick the target loudness — -14 LUFS for streaming, -16 LUFS for podcast, -18 LUFS for audiobook, -23 LUFS for EBU broadcast.
- Set the true peak ceiling (-1.5 dBTP is a safe default that survives codec re-encoding).
- Pick an output format — WAV for lossless, MP3 for compatibility, M4A or OGG otherwise.
- Click 'Normalize & Download' and wait for ffmpeg.wasm to analyse and re-encode.
- Audition the normalized result in the inline player, then download.
When it helps
- Mastering podcast episodes for Apple Podcasts (-16 LUFS)
- Preparing music tracks for Spotify / YouTube (-14 LUFS)
- Unifying loudness across audiobook chapters
- Hitting EBU R128 broadcast spec for radio submission (-23 LUFS)
- Levelling voice memos before publishing or sharing
- Avoiding the 'this episode is way quieter than the last' complaint
Examples
InputM4A recording at average -22 LUFS
Expected resultM4A at exactly -16 LUFS, peak ≤ -1.5 dBTP — Apple Podcasts ready
InputWAV master at -10 LUFS (loud and clipping)
Expected resultMP3 at -14 LUFS — Spotify won't clamp it down on playback
InputEight chapter WAVs ranging -19 to -25 LUFS
Expected resultEight files all at -18 LUFS — consistent volume across the book
Tips
- Use -1.5 dBTP for true peak unless you have a reason to push hotter — many lossy codecs add inter-sample peaks that can clip if you target -0.1 dBTP.
- If the source has a wide dynamic range (classical, film score), loudness normalization may compress it more than you'd like; consider gentler manual mastering instead.
- EBU R128 is single-pass loudnorm in this tool. A two-pass workflow is more accurate but takes twice as long; for most podcast / streaming work the single-pass result is fine.
- Spotify, YouTube and Apple all clamp loudness above their target on playback, so targeting their value (-14, -16) gives the most consistent result across platforms.
- If you need broadcast spec (-23 LUFS, EBU R128), keep the true-peak ceiling at -1 dBTP — this is the published spec, not the safer -1.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between loudness and peak normalization?⌄
Peak normalization scales audio so the loudest sample hits a target. Loudness normalization adjusts perceived volume using a psychoacoustic model (LUFS) — the standard for streaming and broadcast.
What target should I pick for podcasts?⌄
-16 LUFS is the de facto Apple Podcasts standard. Many podcasters also use -14 LUFS to match Spotify.
Why -1.5 dBTP instead of -0.1?⌄
Lossy codecs can introduce small inter-sample peaks during decode. A -1.5 dBTP ceiling protects against playback clipping on phones and laptops.
Is this a one-pass or two-pass loudnorm?⌄
Single pass. Two-pass is slightly more accurate (especially for very dynamic material) but takes twice as long; for typical podcasts and music the difference is small.
Does it preserve dynamics?⌄
Mostly. Loudnorm with default LRA=11 leaves most dynamics intact. Very dynamic material (orchestral, film score) may see more compression than you'd want — manual mastering is gentler.
What does the LRA value mean?⌄
Loudness Range — how much loudness varies through the file. EBU R128 targets 11 LU; the tool uses that value.
Are my files uploaded?⌄
No — ffmpeg.wasm runs in your browser. The audio never leaves your device.
Will my file get bigger or smaller?⌄
Output size depends on the format and bitrate (192 kbps default for lossy formats). Loudness normalization itself doesn't change file size meaningfully.
Glossary
- LUFS
- Loudness Units relative to Full Scale — a perceptual measure of how loud audio sounds, accounting for human hearing.
- EBU R128
- European Broadcasting Union recommendation for loudness normalization. -23 LUFS, -1 dBTP true peak, 11 LU range.
- ITU BS.1770
- International Telecommunications Union loudness measurement algorithm — the technical basis for LUFS.
- True peak (dBTP)
- The maximum inter-sample peak after codec reconstruction. Setting a ceiling here prevents clipping on lossy playback.
- Loudnorm filter
- ffmpeg's implementation of EBU R128 loudness normalization. Used here in single-pass mode.
- Loudness range (LRA)
- The variation in loudness across a file. Set to 11 LU here to match EBU R128 expectations.