Fragrance is what most customers buy a candle for, and it's also one of the more expensive ingredients. Too little and the candle smells faint; too much and it can burn poorly or "sweat" oil. This guide explains fragrance load, shows exactly how to calculate how much fragrance oil each candle needs, and how the percentage you choose changes the cost of every candle.
How much fragrance oil should you use per candle?
Most candle makers measure fragrance as a percentage of the wax weight, called the fragrance load. At an 8% load, a candle with 7 oz of wax needs 0.56 oz of fragrance oil. Many soy waxes are used somewhere between about 6% and 10%, but every wax has its own recommended maximum, so check your wax supplier's guidance.
How do you calculate fragrance load?
Fragrance oil (oz) = wax weight (oz) × fragrance load %
Always measure both by weight, not volume — fragrance oils vary in density, so measuring by volume gives inconsistent results.
| Wax weight | 6% load | 8% load | 10% load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 oz (one candle) | 0.42 oz | 0.56 oz | 0.70 oz |
| 16 oz (1 lb of wax) | 0.96 oz | 1.28 oz | 1.60 oz |
| 7 oz in grams (198 g) | 11.9 g | 15.9 g | 19.8 g |
Some makers calculate fragrance as a percentage of the total (wax + fragrance) weight instead. Both conventions are used; the important thing is to use one consistently and match the convention your wax supplier uses for its maximum.
What fragrance load should you use?
It depends on the wax, the fragrance and the vessel. As one example, CandleScience reports that in its testing of SimplySoy Artisan wax, fragrance loads from 6% up to 10% held its test fragrances without oil separation. Other waxes have different limits.
Some general principles:
- Stay under your wax's maximum. Exceeding it can cause sweating (oil on the surface) and poor burning.
- More isn't always stronger. Scent throw depends on the fragrance, the wax, the wick and curing time, not just the percentage.
- Test every combination. A fragrance that throws well at 8% in one wax may need a different load in another.
How does fragrance load affect the cost of a candle?
Fragrance oil is priced per ounce, so the load you choose changes your cost directly. At $2.00 per ounce, for a candle with 7 oz of wax:
| Fragrance load | Fragrance per candle | Cost per candle |
|---|---|---|
| 6% | 0.42 oz | $0.84 |
| 8% | 0.56 oz | $1.12 |
| 10% | 0.70 oz | $1.40 |
That's a 56-cent difference per candle between 6% and 10% — $13.44 on a batch of 24. If you use premium fragrance oils at a higher price per ounce, the difference grows. That's why your pricing should use the load you actually pour, not a round guess. See how much it costs to make a candle for the full cost picture.
Why does curing matter for scent?
Many candle makers let candles cure before selling or test-burning them, because scent throw often improves as the wax and fragrance bind over time. The recommended cure time varies by wax — check your supplier's guidance. Curing also matters for pricing: candles waiting to cure are inventory you've paid for but can't sell yet.
Two related reads: how to price candles, and whether selling candles is profitable.
