Normalize Audio
Upload an audio file and normalize its volume to broadcast-standard levels using ffmpeg's loudnorm filter. The filter targets -16 LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale), which is the standard for podcasts, YouTube, and most streaming platforms. True peak is limited to -1.5 dB to prevent clipping, and loudness range is normalized to 11 LU.
Unlike simple volume boosting, loudnorm is an intelligent filter that analyzes the audio's loudness contour and adjusts levels dynamically. Quiet sections are boosted and loud sections are tamed, resulting in a more consistent listening experience. This is the same type of processing used by broadcast television and streaming services.
Everything runs in your browser using ffmpeg.wasm — your audio is never uploaded to a server.
By The Paper Room Editorial Team — Audio Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is LUFS and why -16?▼
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is the industry standard for measuring perceived loudness. -16 LUFS is the target recommended by most streaming platforms (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts). It's loud enough to be clearly audible but leaves enough headroom to prevent distortion.
How is this different from volume boosting?▼
Volume boosting applies a uniform multiplier — everything gets equally louder. Loudness normalization is intelligent: it analyzes the audio's loudness contour and adjusts levels to achieve consistent perceived loudness, handling quiet and loud sections differently. The result sounds more professional and consistent.
Will this fix audio that varies a lot in volume?▼
The loudnorm filter helps even out volume variations, but it's not a compressor. For audio with extreme dynamic range (whispers and shouts), you may still notice some variation. For most recordings (podcasts, lectures, interviews), normalization produces a significant improvement in consistency.