--- title: "Netflix — Sound Mix Specification" description: "Netflix's published sound mix spec for branded titles: −27 LKFS ±2 LU dialogue-gated, peaks at −2 dBTP, 48 kHz/24-bit LPCM, DME stems and M&E — and why theatrical is different." canonical_url: "https://elephantaudio.pk/reference/netflix" type: "Article" date_modified: "2026-10-21T19:45:14+05:00" publisher: "Elephant Audio" publisher_url: "https://elephantaudio.pk" source_kind: "published-standard" source_url: "https://studiopartner.netflix.net/studio/branded-sound-mix-spec-and-best-practices" source_fetched_at: "2026-10-17" entities: - name: "Lahore" type: "City" same_as: - "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11739" - "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahore" - name: "Pakistan" type: "Country" same_as: - "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q843" - "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan" author: name: "Abu Bakar Zahid" role: "Founder, Managing Director & Music Producer at Elephant Audio" url: "https://elephantaudio.pk/founder" same_as: - "https://www.linkedin.com/in/abubakarzahid94" - "https://www.youtube.com/@AbuBakarZahid" - "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12369947/" - "https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vsRY1hLmqEBXcx5xeKs0m" - "https://music.apple.com/us/artist/abu-bakar-zahid/1654787374" - "https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/190524117" - "https://on.soundcloud.com/EnpcD" - "https://www.instagram.com/abubakarzahid94/" - "https://www.facebook.com/abubakarzahid9400/" - "https://twitter.com/abubakarzahid94" - "https://soundsofpakistan.com/artist/abu-bakar-zahid/" person: "Abu Bakar Zahid" person_same_as: - "https://www.linkedin.com/in/abubakarzahid94" - "https://www.youtube.com/@AbuBakarZahid" - "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12369947/" - "https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vsRY1hLmqEBXcx5xeKs0m" - "https://music.apple.com/us/artist/abu-bakar-zahid/1654787374" - "https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/190524117" - "https://on.soundcloud.com/EnpcD" - "https://www.instagram.com/abubakarzahid94/" - "https://www.facebook.com/abubakarzahid9400/" - "https://twitter.com/abubakarzahid94" - "https://soundsofpakistan.com/artist/abu-bakar-zahid/" --- # Netflix — Sound Mix Specification ## What loudness does Netflix require for a mix? Netflix publishes its sound mix specification for branded titles. The home mix must measure −27 LKFS ±2 LU, dialogue-gated, to ITU-R BS.1770-1 over the whole programme, with peaks no higher than −2 dBTP. Files are 48 kHz/24-bit uncompressed LPCM. Theatrical mixes are a separate deliverable with no LKFS requirement. −27 LKFS dialogue loudness (±2 LU, dialogue-gated, BS.1770-1) · −2 dBTP peak limit (by limiting, not by lowering the mix) · 85 dB SPL theatrical reference (no LKFS requirement for cinema) · OC-1-6 specification version (29 October 2024) Published — and not where it used to be: For most of 2026 the only route to Netflix's audio specification was a partner site behind a sign-in, which is why loudness references quoted −27 LKFS as something reported rather than something you could check. The specification now sits on Netflix's public studio-partner help centre, and the old links redirect to it. It applies to Netflix branded titles — the originals Netflix commissions. Licensed titles follow a separate Non-Branded Delivery Specification. Everything below is from the branded document as read on 17 October 2026; where Netflix labels something a best practice rather than a requirement, so does this page. The home mix: what has to measure correctly: Netflix calls the home mix near-field, because it is made at living-room monitoring levels rather than cinema ones: - Average loudness −27 LKFS with a tolerance of ±2 LU, dialogue-gated — the measurement follows the dialogue, not the whole soundtrack. - Measured over the full programme to ITU-R BS.1770-1. - Peaks must not exceed −2 dBTP, which Netflix also expresses as +18 dBu over a −20 dBFS reference — reached by peak limiting, not by turning the mix down. - Mixed at a reference of 79 or 82 dB SPL. - Stereo as Lo/Ro (preferred) or Lt/Rt, and mono-compatible either way. - Delivered as one longplay file, not reels. ⚠️ The line that settles the theatrical question: > "Theatrical mixes have no LKFS loudness requirement and may peak at 0db True Peak" — Netflix, Sound Mix Specifications and Best Practices. OC-1-6, Theatrical Mix section Why −27 is not a cinema number: −27 LKFS is widely repeated as a theatrical figure. Netflix's own document says the opposite: a theatrical mix is made at an 85 dB SPL reference, carries no LKFS requirement, and may peak at 0 dBTP. −27 dialogue-gated is the target for the home mix — the one most viewers actually hear. That is also why a film mixed for cinema is not finished for streaming. The two are different deliverables with different references, and if a theatrical mix is made, Netflix asks for two complete sets of files: one theatrical, delivered as reels, and one near-field, delivered as a longplay. Files and formats: - 48 kHz / 24-bit for the original-language mix and the M&E, stems and mix masters alike. Secondary-language and audio-description mixes may be 16- or 24-bit at 48 kHz. - Uncompressed only: standard or RF64 LPCM WAV or BWAV. Netflix states that lossy or lossless compression is never allowed. - Discrete files, except where audio is muxed by nature — an IMF, a QuickTime or an Atmos BWAV ADM file. - Mono is accepted only if the source is mono and no stereo or 5.1 mix exists, duplicated on channels 1 and 2 as a two-channel file. - Printmasters, M&Es and stems may carry the standard 8-second Academy leader and 2-pop. Dubbed-language and audio-description mixes must not carry an extra leader. Stems and the M&E: The deliverables that decide whether a title can be dubbed into other languages: - 5.1 dialogue, music and effects stems that equal the 5.1 mix when combined. - A fully filled 5.1 M&E with no dialogue. Ambience and Foley fill must match the original mix, and any non-dialogue sound in the main mix must also be in the M&E. - M&E levels mirror the final master, so a dubbed dialogue track drops in without a remix. - For an Atmos title, the 5.1 M&E is rendered from the Atmos M&E. Folding 5.1 down to stereo: When the stereo mix is derived from the 5.1, Netflix specifies the fold-down: - Centre channel lowered by 3 dB and included in both left and right. - Surrounds lowered by at least 3 dB and folded into their own sides. - LFE optional, between −8 dB and −12 dB, folded into both sides and low-pass filtered at 200 Hz or lower. - All adjustments made on the individual 5.1 channels before the fold — and the resulting stereo mix checked for artefacts before delivery. Dolby Atmos: - Mixed in a 7.1.4 room at minimum. Netflix states that Dolby certification is not required for a home Atmos room. - Delivered as a Dolby Atmos BWAV ADM file at 48 kHz / 24-bit. - Netflix recommends true-peak limiters at −2.3 dBFS or lower on all beds and objects, with loudness checked through a 5.1 re-render. - For series, documentary, unscripted and comedy, beds and objects are separated and labelled — Dialog, Narration, Group ADR, Music, Effects, Backgrounds, Foley. For film, dialogue, music and effects separation is kept wherever possible. Best practices — advice, not requirements: Netflix is explicit that this section is not technical specification. It is still how a mix plays best on the service: - Loudness range of 4 to 18 LU for 5.1 and for stereo, with dialogue LRA of 10 LU or less. - A true-peak limiter at −2.3 dBFS on every audio deliverable, to keep minor metering differences from reading as failures. - Where an Atmos or 5.1 mix measures less than 15% dialogue, Netflix uses a programme measurement instead: −24 LKFS ±2 LU to BS.1770-3 or -4. - Netflix normalises every delivery on playback so titles play at a consistent level — which is why the delivery target and the playback level are separate questions. The source: Read directly on 2026-10-17: - Netflix — Sound Mix Specifications and Best Practices — Branded titles. Version OC-1-6, 29 October 2024, per the document's own change log. Every figure on this page.: https://studiopartner.netflix.net/studio/branded-sound-mix-spec-and-best-practices - ITU-R BS.1770 — the measurement every figure here uses — Why LKFS and LUFS are the same unit, and what gating does.: /reference/itu-r-bs1770 ## Frequently asked questions ### Does Netflix publish its loudness specification? Yes, for branded titles. Netflix's Sound Mix Specifications and Best Practices page is on its public studio-partner help centre: −27 LKFS ±2 LU dialogue-gated for the home mix, peaks no higher than −2 dBTP, measured to ITU-R BS.1770-1. Until 2026 the same document sat behind a partner sign-in, which is why older references call the figure reported rather than published. ### Is −27 LKFS the theatrical loudness standard? No. Netflix's own specification states that theatrical mixes have no LKFS loudness requirement and may peak at 0 dBTP; they are mixed to an 85 dB SPL reference. −27 LKFS dialogue-gated is Netflix's target for the near-field home mix, which is a separate deliverable from a theatrical one. ### Why does Netflix ask for −27 when Spotify uses −14? They are different kinds of number. Netflix's −27 LKFS is a delivery specification measured on dialogue, which a mix must meet to be accepted. Spotify's −14 LUFS is playback normalisation applied to music after delivery. Netflix also normalises playback, but separately from the delivery target. ### What audio files does Netflix want delivered? Uncompressed 48 kHz / 24-bit LPCM WAV or BWAV for the original-language mix and the M&E, as a longplay. 5.1 dialogue, music and effects stems that sum to the mix, a fully filled 5.1 M&E with no dialogue, a stereo Lo/Ro, and for Atmos titles a BWAV ADM file. A theatrical mix, if made, is a second complete set delivered as reels. ## Related - [Mixing and mastering to a delivery spec](https://elephantaudio.pk/services/mix-master/raw) - [Sound design, stems and the M&E](https://elephantaudio.pk/services/sound-design/raw) - [The full audio deliverables list](https://elephantaudio.pk/guides/audio-post-deliverables/raw) - [Spotify: playback normalisation, not delivery](https://elephantaudio.pk/reference/spotify/raw) - [Measure a mix in the browser](https://elephantaudio.pk/loudness-meter) ## Studio - **Studio:** Elephant Audio — Lahore, Pakistan - **Founder:** Abu Bakar Zahid — Founder, Managing Director & Music Producer at Elephant Audio - **Website:** https://elephantaudio.pk - **Contact:** abubakar@elephantaudio.pk