# Increase the Volume of an Audio File

A recording that is too quiet even at full volume on your phone? Boost it by a few decibels; the built-in limiter keeps the loud peaks from distorting.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/increase-audio-volume · Updated 2026-09-29_

**Quick answer:** To increase audio volume, open the file, keep +6 dB (or drag the slider up to +30 dB) and press Make it louder. +6 dB doubles the signal level; +10 dB sounds roughly twice as loud. The limiter keeps peaks below −1 dBFS so the boost does not crackle. Nothing is uploaded.

## How to use it

1. Choose the quiet audio file or files.
2. Keep +6 dB, or drag the slider: +3 dB for a little, +10 dB or more for very quiet recordings.
3. Leave Prevent clipping on, and choose MP3, M4A or WAV.
4. Press Make it louder and listen to the result before you download it.

## How many decibels to add

| Boost | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| +3 dB | Just noticeably louder |
| +6 dB | Clearly louder; the signal level doubles |
| +10 dB | Sounds about twice as loud |
| +20 dB | For very quiet recordings; background noise rises too |

## Why a limiter matters

Digital audio has a ceiling. If a recording already has loud moments, such as a laugh, a clap or a drum hit, boosting everything pushes those peaks past the ceiling and they crackle. With Prevent clipping on, a limiter gently holds the peaks just below the ceiling while the rest gets louder. For a big boost, listen to the loudest part of the result to check it still sounds natural.

## Louder to a standard instead?

If you want a file to match other tracks or a platform's level rather than just be louder, use loudness normalization: [Change audio volume](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/change-audio-volume) measures the loudness and sets it to a target such as −14 LUFS, and [Normalize podcast audio](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/normalize-podcast-audio) sets −16 LUFS. For the sound of a video, extract it first with [Extract audio from video](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/tools/extract-audio-from-video).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I make an MP3 louder?

Open it here, keep +6 dB or choose more, and press Make it louder. Download the louder MP3.

### Will boosting the volume distort the sound?

Not with Prevent clipping on: the limiter keeps the peaks below the ceiling. Very large boosts can still make background noise and hiss audible.

### How much louder is +6 dB?

The signal level doubles. Our ears perceive about +10 dB as twice as loud, so +6 dB is clearly but not dramatically louder.

### Can I boost several files by the same amount?

Yes. Add them all; each gets the same boost.

### Is my audio uploaded?

No. It is processed in your browser.