How to Master Your Music for Spotify in 2026

To master music for Spotify, target -14 LUFS integrated loudness with a true peak of -1 dBTP. Spotify normalizes all tracks to -14 LUFS, meaning tracks mastered louder will be turned down and quieter tracks will be turned up. Use a LUFS meter during mastering, apply a limiter with the ceiling set to -1.0 dBTP, and export as WAV 16-bit 44.1kHz or 24-bit for best quality. This guide covers exactly how Spotify's normalization works and how to master your music to take full advantage of it.

This guide is part of our mastering and delivery series. For a comparison of loudness targets across all major platforms, see our LUFS targets guide.

How Spotify Loudness Normalization Works

Spotify measures the integrated loudness of every track using the LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) standard. If your track measures louder than -14 LUFS, Spotify turns it down. If your track measures quieter than -14 LUFS, Spotify turns it up. The goal is a consistent listening experience so users do not have to adjust volume between songs.

Here is why this matters for mastering: if you slam your master to -6 LUFS (a common approach in the loudness war era), Spotify will turn it down by 8 dB. That aggressive limiting crushed your dynamics and introduced distortion artifacts for nothing. A track mastered to -14 LUFS with preserved dynamics will play at the same volume on Spotify but sound cleaner, more open, and more musical because the limiter was not pushed as hard.

Spotify offers three normalization modes: Loud (-11 LUFS), Normal (-14 LUFS), and Quiet (-19 LUFS). Most listeners use the default Normal mode. Mastering to -14 LUFS ensures your track plays at its intended level without Spotify applying gain reduction or gain increase.

Step-by-Step Mastering for Spotify

Step 1: Prepare Your Mix

Before mastering, ensure your mix peaks between -6 and -3 dBFS with no clipping on the master bus. Remove any limiter or maximizer from the mix bus. Export the mix as a stereo WAV file at the same sample rate and bit depth used during the session (typically 24-bit, 44.1kHz or higher).

Step 2: Set Up Your LUFS Meter

Place a LUFS meter on the master bus of your mastering session. You need the integrated LUFS reading (the average loudness over the entire track) and the true peak reading (the maximum inter-sample peak). Free LUFS meters are available for all major platforms. For a deeper look at loudness metering, check out our loudness meter tool.

Step 3: Apply EQ and Compression

Make broad tonal adjustments with a mastering EQ. This is for subtle corrections, not dramatic changes. If your mix needs dramatic EQ, fix it in the mix session first. Apply gentle compression (1.5:1 to 2:1 ratio) with a slow attack and auto-release to glue the mix together without squashing transients. Aim for 1-3 dB of gain reduction at most.

Step 4: Set Your Limiter

Place a true peak limiter at the end of your mastering chain. Set the output ceiling to -1.0 dBTP. This prevents inter-sample peaks from exceeding the digital ceiling after codec conversion (Spotify uses Ogg Vorbis at various bitrates). Push the input gain until your integrated LUFS meter reads -14 LUFS. If you need more than a few dB of limiting to reach -14 LUFS, your mix may need more compression upstream.

Step 5: Export Your Master

Export as WAV, 16-bit 44.1kHz for standard delivery or 24-bit 44.1kHz for highest quality. Your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, etc.) will accept either format and transcode to the formats Spotify requires. Do not export as MP3 or AAC yourself. Let the distributor handle the codec conversion.

Spotify Delivery Specifications

What Happens If You Master Louder Than -14 LUFS

Spotify turns your track down. If you master to -8 LUFS, Spotify reduces the playback volume by 6 dB. The listener hears the same loudness as a track mastered to -14 LUFS, but your track has less dynamic range because the limiter worked harder to get to -8 LUFS. You sacrificed dynamics for loudness that Spotify immediately removed.

There are genre-specific exceptions. Some producers intentionally master louder than -14 LUFS for genres where aggressive limiting is part of the aesthetic (certain EDM subgenres, for example). In these cases, the distortion and pumping artifacts from heavy limiting are a creative choice, not a technical mistake. For most genres, however, mastering to -14 LUFS preserves the quality Spotify listeners expect.

Using AI Mastering for Spotify

AI mastering platforms are particularly well-suited for Spotify delivery because loudness targeting is a precise, measurable task. The AI can hit -14 LUFS integrated with -1 dBTP ceiling consistently, while simultaneously applying intelligent EQ and dynamics processing. For producers who release frequently, AI mastering provides a fast, affordable path to Spotify-optimized masters that meet the platform's specifications every time. See our pricing plans for details on AI mastering options.

About Genesis Mix Lab

Genesis Mix Lab is a browser-based AI mixing and mastering platform for music producers. It offers AI-powered multitrack mixing and mastering in a single platform, with features including reference track matching, genre-aware processing, and real-time Mix Notes. Pricing starts at $0/month (free tier) with Pro at $19.99/month.