Fragrance Calculator for Candles & Wax Melts
Getting the right amount of fragrance oil is the difference between a candle that fills a room and one that barely throws off the wick. This fragrance calculator takes the guesswork out of fragrance load math so you can scale batches with confidence — from a single test pour to a hundred-unit production run.
The Formula
Fragrance oil per unit is simply: Wax Weight × (Fragrance Load ÷ 100). Multiply by the number of units in your batch to get the total fragrance oil needed, then multiply by your cost per ounce to see the exact dollar impact on your margins.
Choosing the Right Fragrance Load
Every wax has a maximum fragrance load set by the manufacturer. Exceeding it can cause sweating, poor glass adhesion, and inconsistent burns. As a general rule:
- 6% – Light, background scent. Great for bedrooms.
- 8% – The most common starting point for soy candles.
- 10% – Strong throw for living rooms and open spaces.
- 12% – Above the maximum published for most soy container waxes (about 7–10%). Use only if your wax's data sheet allows it.
Pro Tip: Always weigh fragrance oil on a digital scale accurate to 0.1 oz. Eyeballing leads to inconsistent scent throw from batch to batch, which hurts repeat sales.
Need to figure out how much wax your container holds first? Use our Candle Wax Calculator to convert container volume to wax weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fragrance load and how do I choose the right percentage?▼
Fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance oil relative to the weight of wax. Most soy waxes perform best between 6% and 10%. Going above your wax manufacturer’s recommended maximum (published soy maximums are often around 7–10%) can cause sweating, poor adhesion, or wick clogging.
Does fragrance load affect hot throw and cold throw differently?▼
Yes. A higher fragrance load generally increases both hot throw (scent while burning) and cold throw (scent when unlit), but the relationship is not linear. Testing at 8% and 10% side-by-side is the best way to find the sweet spot for each fragrance.
Can I use the same fragrance load for candles and wax melts?▼
Wax melts can be loaded higher than container candles because there is no wick to clog, but only up to your wax supplier’s stated maximum. Container candles usually stay at 6–10%. Always check your wax supplier’s guidelines for the maximum safe load.