Quick Reference
| Parameter | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Programme loudness | -23.0 LUFS ± 0.5 LU | Integrated, measured in EBU Mode (BS.1770-4) |
| Max true peak | -1.0 dBTP | Oversampled true peak, not sample peak |
| Gating | EBU Mode | Absolute gate -70 LUFS, relative gate -10 LU |
| Loudness range | Descriptor only | LRA is reported, R128 sets no limit - see notes |
| Live tolerance | ± 1.0 LU | Informative for live programmes, not enforced |
| Channel formats | Mono to 5.1 | Format-agnostic - same target for all |
| Shortform variant | R128 s1 | Ads/promos: same loudness and TP, no LRA check |
| Current version | v5.0 (Nov 2023) |
How R128 Measures These Values
EBU Mode gating changes the reading
The -23.0 LUFS target is measured in EBU Mode: an absolute gate at -70 LUFS removes silence, then a relative gate 10 LU below the ungated level removes quiet passages. On material with long pauses or quiet scenes, a meter without this gating reads noticeably different from the ingest server on the other side. If your meter does not say "EBU Mode" or "BS.1770-4", verify with one that does.
True peak, not sample peak
The -1.0 dBTP limit is an oversampled true-peak measurement. A master that shows -1.0 dB on a sample-peak meter can carry inter-sample peaks well above the limit. R128 has the tightest true-peak ceiling of the major broadcast specs - tighter than Netflix or ATSC at -2.0 dBTP - so this is where borderline masters fail first.
LRA is reported, not limited
Loudness range per EBU Tech 3342 is a descriptor: R128 requires it to be measured, but sets no pass/fail threshold. In practice, individual broadcasters bolt their own LRA limits onto their delivery specs. Passing R128 does not mean passing a specific broadcaster's ingest - always check the channel-specific requirements on top.
Shortform is its own variant
Commercials, promos and trailers fall under the R128 s1 supplement: identical loudness target and true-peak limit, but no LRA descriptor. If you deliver both longform and shortform, the checks differ - do not run a shortform spot through a longform profile.
FAQ
Is -23 LUFS a hard limit in EBU R128?
The target is -23.0 LUFS integrated with a tolerance of ±0.5 LU for produced content. For live programmes, a wider ±1.0 LU deviation is considered acceptable, but that value is informative, not a separate limit. Individual broadcasters can and do enforce the ±0.5 LU window strictly at ingest.
What is EBU Mode gating?
EBU Mode is the measurement configuration defined in EBU Tech 3341, built on ITU-R BS.1770-4. It uses a two-stage gate: an absolute gate at -70 LUFS removes silence, then a relative gate 10 LU below the ungated level removes quiet passages. A meter without this gating will read differently on material with pauses or quiet scenes.
Does EBU R128 limit loudness range (LRA)?
No. LRA (defined in EBU Tech 3342) is a descriptor: it must be measured and reported, but R128 itself sets no maximum. Individual broadcasters often add their own LRA limits in their delivery specs, so check the specific broadcaster requirements on top of R128.
What is the difference between EBU R128 and ATSC A/85?
Both are based on ITU-R BS.1770, but the targets differ: R128 requires -23 LUFS with EBU Mode gating and -1 dBTP true peak; ATSC A/85 (US broadcast, CALM Act) targets -24 LKFS with a ±2 LU tolerance and -2 dBTP. A master that passes one does not automatically pass the other.
What is EBU R128 s1?
R128 s1 is the shortform supplement for commercials, promos and trailers. Loudness target and true peak limit are identical to the main recommendation, but the LRA descriptor is not applied because it is not meaningful on very short material.