Integrated Loudness -14 LUFS
True Peak Max -1 dBTP

About this Target

YouTube adjusts playback volume but does not publish -14 LUFS as an upload requirement; this is a practical production reference.

YouTube can automatically adjust playback volume and offers Stable volume on supported content. Its public help does not define a numeric mastering or upload target. A -14 LUFS Integrated and -1 dBTP stereo reference remains useful for pre-upload comparison, but playback behavior can vary by content, device, feature availability, and user controls.

Reference type: Working playback reference

Guide: Loudness Leveler

Load the Mastering - YouTube Reference (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 -14 LUFS, then use the built-in limiter for the -1 dBTP ceiling.

APU Loudness Leveler showing YouTube target at -14 LUFS
Fig 1. Real-time YouTube target tracking using APU Loudness Leveler.

Guide: Loudness Compressor

Workflow:
1. Load the Mastering - YouTube Reference (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 YouTube target at -14 LUFS
Fig 2. Real-time YouTube LUFS targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.
APU Loudness Compressor showing YouTube target at -1 dBTP
Fig 3. Real-time YouTube dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Compressor.

Guide: Loudness Limiter

Load the Mastering - YouTube Reference Ceiling (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 YouTube target at -14 LUFS
Fig 4. Real-time YouTube LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Loudness Limiter.

Guide: Dynamics Optimizer

Load the Mastering - YouTube Reference (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 YouTube target at -14 LUFS
Fig 5. Offline YouTube LUFS and dBTP targeting using APU Dynamics Optimizer.

Metering for YouTube

Measure Integrated LUFS over the complete video mix and linked Maximum True Peak. Use the values as pre-upload references, then inspect the uploaded result because YouTube's playback processing is not a file-acceptance test.

Load the QC - YouTube Reference (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 YouTube target at -14 LUFS
Fig 6. Real-time metering of the YouTube 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.