PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator
Convert between EBU/BBC PPM scale marks and dBFS using the standard alignment (PPM 4 / 'Test' = −18 dBFS).
The BBC Peak Programme Meter spaces its marks 4 dB apart, with PPM 4 as the alignment/'Test' level mapped to −18 dBFS in the EBU digital world (0 dBu / PML). PPM 6 — the normal permitted maximum for speech/music peaks — lands at −10 dBFS, leaving 10 dB of safety headroom that PPM's slow 10 ms integration deliberately under-reads.
Rule / Formula
Convert between EBU/BBC PPM scale marks and dBFS using the standard alignment (PPM 4 / 'Test' = −18 dBFS).
About PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator
Convert between EBU/BBC PPM scale marks and dBFS using the standard alignment (PPM 4 / 'Test' = −18 dBFS). The BBC Peak Programme Meter spaces its marks 4 dB apart, with PPM 4 as the alignment/'Test' level mapped to −18 dBFS in the EBU digital world (0 dBu / PML). PPM 6 — the normal permitted maximum for speech/music peaks — lands at −10 dBFS, leaving 10 dB of safety headroom that PPM's slow 10 ms integration deliberately under-reads.
How to use PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator
- 1Enter your values into the fields in PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator.
- 2The result and any pass/fail verdict update instantly as you type — no button to press.
- 3Check the substituted formula and worked example to see exactly how the result was derived.
- 4Copy or note the result for your spec, delivery or planning.
Why use PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator?
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser with instant, private results — no data leaves your device.
- ✓Built on a published reference: BBC R&D / EBU Tech 3205 (PPM characteristics).
- ✓Shows the governing formula and a worked example, so you can trust and check every result.
- ✓100% free with no sign-up, no watermark and no usage limits.
- ✓Works on any device — desktop, tablet or phone — and keeps working offline once loaded.
Frequently asked questions
What does PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator do?+
Convert between EBU/BBC PPM scale marks and dBFS using the standard alignment (PPM 4 / 'Test' = −18 dBFS). The BBC Peak Programme Meter spaces its marks 4 dB apart, with PPM 4 as the alignment/'Test' level mapped to −18 dBFS in the EBU digital world (0 dBu / PML).
Is my data private?+
Yes. PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator runs entirely in your browser — your inputs are never uploaded, stored or logged.
What standard or source is PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator based on?+
It follows BBC R&D / EBU Tech 3205 (PPM characteristics); EBU R 68. Always confirm against the current official document, as specifications and rates can change.
What formula does it use?+
PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator uses: dBFS = −18 + (PPM − 4) × 4 (BBC PPM: 4 dB per mark, PPM4 = −18 dBFS alignment). The tool shows this formula with your own numbers substituted so you can verify the result.
Is PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculator free to use?+
Yes — it is completely free with no account, no sign-up and no usage limits. There is no watermark and no paywall.
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Want PPM ↔ dBFS Alignment Calculatoron your own site? Paste this snippet into any HTML page — it's free, with no API key or sign-up. The tool loads in an iframe and keeps working exactly as it does here.
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