What Fragrance Load Means
Fragrance load is the weight of fragrance oil expressed as a percentage of the wax weight. A 10% load means 1.6 oz of oil per pound of wax (16 x 0.10).
Fragrance oil weight = wax weight x load percentage / 100
This is the same formula the MakersMath Fragrance Oil Calculator and Candle Wax Calculator use. The percentage applies to the wax only, not to the finished candle weight.
Worked Example
You are using 2 lb of soy wax at an 8% load.
- 2 lb x 16 = 32 oz of wax
- 32 x 8 / 100 = 2.56 oz of fragrance oil
Quick Tables
By wax weight (ounces)
| Wax amount | 6% load | 8% load | 10% load | 12% load | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 lb (16 oz) | 0.96 oz | 1.28 oz | 1.60 oz | 1.92 oz | | 2 lb (32 oz) | 1.92 oz | 2.56 oz | 3.20 oz | 3.84 oz | | 5 lb (80 oz) | 4.80 oz | 6.40 oz | 8.00 oz | 9.60 oz |
By wax weight (grams)
| Wax amount | 6% load | 8% load | 10% load | |---|---|---|---| | 100 g | 6 g | 8 g | 10 g | | 200 g | 12 g | 16 g | 20 g | | 300 g | 18 g | 24 g | 30 g | | 500 g | 30 g | 40 g | 50 g |
By container (soy wax, fl oz x 0.86)
| Container fill | Wax (oz) | FO at 6% (oz) | FO at 8% (oz) | FO at 10% (oz) | |---|---|---|---|---| | 4 fl oz | 3.44 | 0.21 | 0.28 | 0.34 | | 6 fl oz | 5.16 | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.52 | | 8 fl oz | 6.88 | 0.41 | 0.55 | 0.69 | | 10 fl oz | 8.60 | 0.52 | 0.69 | 0.86 | | 12 fl oz | 10.32 | 0.62 | 0.83 | 1.03 | | 16 fl oz | 13.76 | 0.83 | 1.10 | 1.38 |
Convert ounces to grams at 28.3495 g per ounce. See how the wax figure is derived in how much wax for candles.
Your Wax Sets the Upper Limit
Every wax has a load above which oil can sweat out or the burn can suffer. Published figures differ between makers, retailers and testers, so use your wax's own data sheet. Examples we could source:
- Golden Brands 464 soy: Candle Science lists 10% (1.6 oz per lb) at https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/. A Voyageur Soap and Candle listing gives a manufacturer recommendation of 7-9% at https://www.voyageursoapandcandle.com/products/golden-brands-gw464-soy-container-candle-wax.
- EcoSoya CB-Advanced: Candle Science's lab notes report the wax held up to 12% without sweating in finished candles, but recommend 9% or less for best performance: https://candlescience.com/learning/lab-notes-ecosoya-cb-advanced-soy-wax.
- Nature Wax C-3: retailer listings give about 7-8% as the maximum, for example https://www.nicandlesupplies.co.uk/products/nature-wax-c-3-soy-container-wax.
- Paraffin, coconut, beeswax and blends: published figures vary widely between sources, and we did not find a manufacturer data sheet to cite. Treat these as unverified and use your supplier's number.
The calculators show 6-12% as a general working range. That is a range for planning, not a statement that every wax can take 12%.
What Too Much Oil Looks Like
Going past your wax's limit can show up as oil beading or pooling on the surface or sides, and a candle that burns poorly. If you see oil on the surface, lower the load and retest. Your supplier's data sheet may give a specific figure.
Temperature and Cure
Use your wax maker's temperatures instead of a generic number. As one example, Candle Science's instructions for Golden Brands 464 are to heat to 185 F, add the fragrance, then pour at 135 F, and to allow the candle to cure for two weeks for best scent throw (https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/). Other waxes differ, so check the supplier page for yours.
Cure time matters when judging throw: a candle burned the next day is not representative of a candle cured for two weeks.
Testing and Records
- Make one test candle with the same container, wick and wax as the full batch.
- Wait out the cure time before judging cold and hot throw.
- Record wax brand and weight, oil name and weight, load percentage, wick and container.
Combining Two Oils
Work out each oil as a percentage of the wax weight and add them. For example, 5% of one oil plus 3% of another is an 8% total load. The split here is an arithmetic illustration, not a recommendation for any particular scent.
Troubleshooting
- Weak throw: check the load against your wax's limit, the wick, the temperatures you used and whether the candle has cured.
- Oil on the surface: reduce the load and retest.
- Inconsistent batches: weigh everything on a scale that reads at least 0.1 g or 0.01 oz, and follow the same temperatures each time.
Key Takeaways
- Fragrance load is a percentage of wax weight
- Oil (oz) = wax (oz) x load / 100
- Check your own wax's data sheet for its maximum; published numbers differ by product
- Cure about two weeks before judging scent throw, per Candle Science for Golden Brands 464
- Pour a test candle first and keep records
Ready to run your own numbers? Try our free Candle Wax Calculator and Fragrance Oil Calculator.