For music distribution, deliver your song as an uncompressed WAV file, 16-bit or 24-bit, at 44.1kHz or higher, mastered to roughly -14 LUFS integrated with a true peak around -1 dBTP. Getting the file format and loudness right before you upload avoids rejections and makes your song sound its best across every platform. Here's the checklist.
File format
- Format: WAV (uncompressed). Avoid uploading MP3 — it's already lossy and may be rejected.
- Bit depth: 16-bit minimum; 24-bit preferred for headroom and quality.
- Sample rate: 44.1kHz minimum; 48kHz or higher is fine. Don't upsample a low-rate file.
Loudness: why -14 LUFS matters
Streaming platforms normalise playback loudness — Spotify targets around -14 LUFS, and others are similar. If you master much louder than that, the platform turns it down anyway, and you lose dynamics for nothing. Aim for roughly -14 LUFS integrated with a true peak ceiling around -1 dBTP so your track sits well next to everything else and doesn't clip.
Pre-upload checklist
- WAV, 24-bit, 44.1kHz+.
- Around -14 LUFS integrated, true peak ≤ -1 dBTP.
- No clipping, no silence longer than needed at the start/end.
- Correct metadata and 3000×3000px cover art ready.
Then you're ready to release
With your file and art prepped to spec, the upload itself is quick — follow the Spotify release guide or the Apple Music guide. If a release ever gets rejected, the file spec or art is usually why — this checklist prevents it.