Integrated Loudness -16 LUFS
True Peak Max -1 dBTP

About this Target

Apple Podcasts recommends audio around -16 LKFS, with a +/-1 dB tolerance and true peak no higher than -1 dBFS.

For stereo podcasts, -16 LUFS is a common production target and aligns with Apple Podcasts' current recommendation. It is a useful starting point rather than a universal platform acceptance rule: distributors and players may apply their own normalization, and delivery chains may impose additional format, metadata, and encoding requirements.

Reference type: Official Apple Podcasts recommendation

Guide: Loudness Leveler

Load the Narration - Podcast Episode (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn over the complete program to lock the final correction.

Adjust Target Tolerance for the amount of movement you want around -16 LUFS, then use the built-in limiter for the -1 dBTP ceiling.

APU Loudness Leveler showing Podcast (Stereo) target at -16 LUFS
Fig 1. Real-time Podcast (Stereo) target tracking using APU Loudness Leveler.

Guide: Loudness Compressor

Workflow:
1. Load the Narration - Podcast Episode (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category.
2. To have the compression range follow your material, use Source Range Learn while playing the complete program.
3. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn in the Limiter tab over the complete program.

APU Loudness Compressor showing Podcast (Stereo) target at -16 LUFS
Fig 2. Real-time Podcast (Stereo) LUFS targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.
APU Loudness Compressor showing Podcast (Stereo) target at -1 dBTP
Fig 3. Real-time Podcast (Stereo) dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.

Guide: Loudness Limiter

Load the Narration - Podcast Episode (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category. It configures both ceilings. After the other settings are final, run Compensation Learn over the complete program.

APU Loudness Limiter showing Podcast (Stereo) target at -16 LUFS
Fig 4. Real-time Podcast (Stereo) LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Limiter.

Guide: Dynamics Optimizer

Load the Narration - Podcast Episode (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category, open the complete file, then analyze and optimize it. Review the result, then measure the exported file before delivery.

APU Dynamics Optimizer showing Podcast (Stereo) target at -16 LUFS
Fig 5. Offline Podcast (Stereo) LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Dynamics Optimizer.

Metering for Podcast (Stereo)

Measure the complete stereo programme with linked Integrated LUFS and Maximum True Peak. Monitor Loudness Range and speech consistency as separate production judgments, then verify the encoded deliverable.

Load the QC - Podcast Episode (Stereo) preset from the Purpose category. It configures the target range, True Peak threshold, Short-term history, and Integrated output for this reference.

APU Loudness Meter showing Podcast (Stereo) target at -16 LUFS
Fig 6. Real-time metering of the Podcast (Stereo) reference using APU Loudness Meter.

Sources

Platform behavior and delivery requirements can change. Check the linked source and the destination's current specification before final delivery.