What is fragrance load percentage?

Fragrance load (FO load) is the percentage of fragrance oil relative to the total wax weight. Most candles use 6-10% fragrance load. Higher percentages (up to 12%) can create stronger scents but may affect burn quality if too high.

How much fragrance oil should I use?

A good starting point is 6-8% fragrance load. For example, if you have 500g of wax, use 30-40g of fragrance oil (6-8%). Always check your wax manufacturer's recommendations, as some waxes have maximum fragrance load limits.

Why do I need to account for container volume?

You typically fill containers to 85% capacity to leave room for the wax pool when burning. This calculator accounts for that, ensuring you calculate the right amount of wax and fragrance for your specific container size.

Can I use more fragrance oil for a stronger scent?

While you can increase fragrance load, going above 10-12% can cause issues like poor burn quality, sooting, or the fragrance oil not binding properly with the wax. Always test your candles and follow your wax manufacturer's guidelines.

How do I measure fragrance oil accurately?

Use a digital scale with 0.1g accuracy to measure fragrance oil by weight (grams), not volume. This ensures accuracy since fragrance oils have different densities - some are heavier or lighter than others. Always measure both wax and fragrance oil by weight for consistent results. Place your container on the scale, tare it to zero, then add the fragrance oil until you reach the calculated weight. Never measure by volume (ml) as this can lead to inaccurate ratios.

What temperature should I add fragrance oil?

Add fragrance oil when your wax is at the correct temperature - typically 65-75°C (149-167°F) for most waxes. This temperature allows the fragrance to bind properly with the wax without evaporating. If wax is too hot (above 80°C), fragrance will evaporate and you'll lose scent. If too cold (below 60°C), fragrance won't bind well and may separate. Check your specific wax manufacturer's recommendations, as optimal temperatures vary by wax type.

Why does my candle have poor scent throw?

Poor scent throw can result from several factors: fragrance load too low (try 8-10%), fragrance added at wrong temperature, insufficient curing time (let candles cure 24-48 hours), wrong wick size (prevents proper melt pool), or poor quality fragrance oil. Also ensure you're using fragrance oils designed for candles, not essential oils which have different properties. Test different fragrance loads and wick sizes to find what works best for your specific wax and container.

Can I mix different fragrance oils?

Yes, you can blend fragrance oils to create custom scents. When blending, calculate the total fragrance load percentage based on the combined weight of all fragrance oils. For example, if using 8% total load with two fragrances, you might use 4% of each, or 5% of one and 3% of another. Always test blends in small batches first, as some fragrances don't blend well together. Keep notes on successful blends for future reference.

What's the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils?

Fragrance oils are synthetic or blended scents specifically designed for candle making, with consistent performance and good scent throw. Essential oils are natural extracts that can be used in candles but often have weaker scent throw, higher cost, and may not bind as well with wax. Essential oils also have lower flash points and may require different handling. For best results, use fragrance oils designed for candles. If using essential oils, research their specific properties and maximum safe usage percentages.

Candle Wax + Fragrance Calculator

Calculate wax and fragrance oil amounts for candle making.

Container Volume (ml)

Fragrance Load Percentage (%)Recommended: 6-10% (most candles use 8%)

How This Tool Works

This calculator determines the exact amounts of wax and fragrance oil needed for your candle based on container volume and desired fragrance load percentage. The calculation accounts for the standard 85% fill capacity, which leaves room for the wax pool that forms when the candle burns. This prevents overflow and ensures safe, proper burning.

The fragrance load percentage (FO load) is calculated as a percentage of the total wax weight, not the container volume. This is important because different waxes have different densities, and measuring by weight ensures consistent results. Most candle waxes work best with 6-10% fragrance load, though some specialty waxes can handle up to 12%. Exceeding recommended fragrance loads can cause poor burn quality, sooting, or the fragrance not binding properly with the wax.

Formula

The calculations are based on:

Total Fill = Container Volume × 0.85
Wax = Total Fill × (1 - Fragrance Load %)
Fragrance Oil = Total Fill × Fragrance Load %

For example, a 200ml container with 8% fragrance load:

Total Fill = 200 × 0.85 = 170ml
Wax = 170 × 0.92 = 156.4g
Fragrance = 170 × 0.08 = 13.6g

Examples

200ml container, 8% FO: 156g wax + 14g fragrance (standard strength)
300ml container, 6% FO: 240g wax + 15g fragrance (light scent)
150ml container, 10% FO: 115g wax + 13g fragrance (strong scent)
250ml container, 7% FO: 198g wax + 15g fragrance (balanced)
500ml container, 9% FO: 391g wax + 39g fragrance (large, strong candle)

Candle Making Best Practices

Measure by Weight: Always use a digital scale to measure both wax and fragrance oil by weight (grams), not volume
Melt Temperature: Heat wax to the manufacturer's recommended temperature (usually 70-85°C for soy, 80-90°C for paraffin)
Add Fragrance at Right Time: Add fragrance oil when wax is at the correct temperature (usually 65-75°C) - too hot and fragrance evaporates, too cold and it won't bind
Stir Gently: Stir fragrance oil into wax for 1-2 minutes to ensure even distribution
Pour Temperature: Pour wax at the recommended temperature (usually 55-65°C) to prevent sinkholes and ensure smooth tops
Cure Time: Let candles cure for 24-48 hours before burning to allow fragrance to fully bind with wax
Wick Selection: Choose the right wick size for your container diameter - too small causes tunneling, too large causes sooting
Test Burn: Always test burn your candles to check for proper melt pool, scent throw, and burn quality

Understanding Fragrance Load

6-8%: Standard fragrance load - works well for most waxes and provides good scent throw
8-10%: Strong fragrance load - provides powerful scent, suitable for most waxes
10-12%: Maximum fragrance load - only for waxes specifically designed for high FO loads
Above 12%: Not recommended - can cause poor burn quality, sooting, and fragrance not binding properly
Wax-Specific: Always check your wax manufacturer's maximum fragrance load recommendation
Testing: Start with lower percentages and increase gradually, testing each batch for performance

FAQ

What is fragrance load percentage?
Fragrance load (FO load) is the percentage of fragrance oil relative to the total wax weight. Most candles use 6-10% fragrance load. Higher percentages (up to 12%) can create stronger scents but may affect burn quality if too high.
How much fragrance oil should I use?
A good starting point is 6-8% fragrance load. For example, if you have 500g of wax, use 30-40g of fragrance oil (6-8%). Always check your wax manufacturer's recommendations, as some waxes have maximum fragrance load limits.
Why do I need to account for container volume?
You typically fill containers to 85% capacity to leave room for the wax pool when burning. This calculator accounts for that, ensuring you calculate the right amount of wax and fragrance for your specific container size.
Can I use more fragrance oil for a stronger scent?
While you can increase fragrance load, going above 10-12% can cause issues like poor burn quality, sooting, or the fragrance oil not binding properly with the wax. Always test your candles and follow your wax manufacturer's guidelines.
How do I measure fragrance oil accurately?
Use a digital scale with 0.1g accuracy to measure fragrance oil by weight (grams), not volume. This ensures accuracy since fragrance oils have different densities - some are heavier or lighter than others. Always measure both wax and fragrance oil by weight for consistent results. Place your container on the scale, tare it to zero, then add the fragrance oil until you reach the calculated weight. Never measure by volume (ml) as this can lead to inaccurate ratios.
What temperature should I add fragrance oil?
Add fragrance oil when your wax is at the correct temperature - typically 65-75°C (149-167°F) for most waxes. This temperature allows the fragrance to bind properly with the wax without evaporating. If wax is too hot (above 80°C), fragrance will evaporate and you'll lose scent. If too cold (below 60°C), fragrance won't bind well and may separate. Check your specific wax manufacturer's recommendations, as optimal temperatures vary by wax type.
Why does my candle have poor scent throw?
Poor scent throw can result from several factors: fragrance load too low (try 8-10%), fragrance added at wrong temperature, insufficient curing time (let candles cure 24-48 hours), wrong wick size (prevents proper melt pool), or poor quality fragrance oil. Also ensure you're using fragrance oils designed for candles, not essential oils which have different properties. Test different fragrance loads and wick sizes to find what works best for your specific wax and container.
Can I mix different fragrance oils?
Yes, you can blend fragrance oils to create custom scents. When blending, calculate the total fragrance load percentage based on the combined weight of all fragrance oils. For example, if using 8% total load with two fragrances, you might use 4% of each, or 5% of one and 3% of another. Always test blends in small batches first, as some fragrances don't blend well together. Keep notes on successful blends for future reference.
What's the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils?
Fragrance oils are synthetic or blended scents specifically designed for candle making, with consistent performance and good scent throw. Essential oils are natural extracts that can be used in candles but often have weaker scent throw, higher cost, and may not bind as well with wax. Essential oils also have lower flash points and may require different handling. For best results, use fragrance oils designed for candles. If using essential oils, research their specific properties and maximum safe usage percentages.