True Peak and Codec Headroom: The Delivery Rules to Follow
Published · by Loopin
A master that peaks at 0 dBFS can clip after it is turned into AAC or Ogg. Five rules keep it clean: ceiling, loudness, check, trim and test.
Rule 1: Set the ceiling at −1 dBTP, not 0
Streaming services convert your WAV to lossy formats, and that conversion can push peaks above the level your file showed. A true-peak meter reads the level the playback will actually reach, which can sit a dB or more above the highest sample. Headroom is the buffer that absorbs the overshoot. If your file already reads below −1 dBTP, you do not need to change anything.
Spotify’s artist guidance says to target −14 dB integrated LUFS and keep true peak below −1 dB TP, because that ceiling avoids extra distortion in transcoding. Loopin’s default WAV export is built to that spec: about −14 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling.
Rule 2: Go to −2 dBTP when the master is louder than −14 LUFS
The same Spotify page says that if your master is louder than −14 dB integrated LUFS, keep true peak below −2 dB. Louder masters have more peaks pressing against the ceiling, so the lossy conversion has more to distort.
That matters for the Punchy feel (about −11 LUFS) and the Club feel (about −10 LUFS). If you are delivering one of those to a distributor, trim the exported WAV by 1 dB in your editor and check it again. Trimming a finished file is safe; stacking another limiter on top of it is not.
Rule 3: Check true peak, not the sample-peak meter
Your DAW’s default meter shows sample peaks. Switch the master meter to true peak (dBTP) or use a loudness meter that reads it, and play the loudest chorus, not the intro. Intersample overs show up there first. Our explainer on true peak vs sample peak covers what the two meters disagree about. Read the meter over the whole track, not a single bar, and keep it on true peak for the entire session.
Spot-check by ear too. If the hi-hats sizzle or the 808 grain changes after you encode a quick MP3 or AAC copy, you are over the edge. Back the ceiling off another 0.5 dB and compare again.
Rule 4: Never limit twice to hit a number
If a file reads −0.2 dBTP and a platform asks for −1, lower the gain on the whole file by 0.8 dB. Do not add a second limiter just to reach a ceiling: you lose punch and gain nothing. Cut the level once, at the end of the chain.
For client deliveries, keep a 0 to −1 dB trim copy handy so you can provide a −2 dBTP version without a revision round. Name it clearly, for example track-name_-2dBTP.wav, so nobody mixes up versions.
Rule 5: Test the lossy version before you send
Export a 256 kbps MP3 or AAC of the final master, load both next to each other and level-match them. They should sound the same. If the lossy copy is harsher or the low end is rougher, the ceiling is too hot or the master is over-limited. You can also run it through the free masterer first and use its A/B to check that nothing got harsher at matched volume.
The easy way to start from safe levels is to master the track free and take the default export. Mastering, previews and loudness-matched A/B are unlimited; downloads are capped at 1 per rolling 24 hours with no account, or 2 with a free account. See what true peak is if the term is new.
Frequently asked questions
What true peak should I master to?
Keep true peak below -1 dBTP, per Spotify's artist guidance (checked October 2026). If the master is louder than -14 LUFS integrated, keep it below -2 dBTP.
What is codec headroom?
The gap between your highest true peak and 0 dBFS. Lossy encoding such as AAC or Ogg can overshoot the original peaks, and headroom absorbs it without clipping.
Is -1 dBTP enough for Apple Music and YouTube?
-1 dBTP is a widely used safe ceiling for lossy delivery. Check each platform's current guidance, and use -2 dBTP for loud masters if you want extra margin.
Why does my master clip after exporting an MP3?
The MP3 encoder created peaks above your ceiling. Lower the file by 1 to 2 dB, export again and compare. Aim for a ceiling of -1 dBTP or lower.
Does Loopin export with a true-peak ceiling?
Yes. The default 16-bit WAV is about -14 LUFS with a -1 dBTP ceiling. Punchy is about -11, Club about -10 and Cinematic about -16.