Peak meters show how high a signal’s spikes go, but not how loud it feels. LUFS meters estimate perceived loudness over time, following the algorithm in Recommendation ITU-R BS.1770, first published in 2006 and most recently revised in 2023. Values are negative, and numbers closer to zero mean louder: a track at −10 LUFS sounds louder than one at −14 LUFS.
Broadcasters adopted the approach through the EBU R 128 recommendation of 2010, which targets −23 LUFS for television and radio programmes. Spotify adjusts tracks to −14 LUFS by default, with louder and quieter options for Premium listeners. For a jazz lo-fi stream or playlist, measuring in LUFS helps keep consecutive tracks at a consistent level, so listeners are not left reaching for the volume control.