How Much Fragrance Oil Do I Need for My Candle?

How much fragrance oil do I need for my candle?

A scented candle is a special creation as it can change our mood and give a refreshing or relaxing tone to the atmosphere of our space.
Choosing the fragrance of our candle is usually the first thought that comes to mind when it comes to making a candle. The amount of fragrance we add plays an important role, so that our candle has a pleasant burn.

First, check which weight the percentage refers to

Weigh both the wax and the fragrance oil in grams. 8% = 8 / 100 = 0.08 is a ratio, not a weight in grams. Check whether your supplier calculates the percentage against the wax weight or the total blend weight.

The examples below contain only wax and fragrance oil; the container and wick are excluded. 8% is used only to demonstrate the calculation. It is not a recommended dosage for every wax or fragrance.

1. Percentage of the wax weight

Fragrance oil (g) = wax (g) × percentage / 100

If we start with 200 g of wax and calculate 8% of the wax weight:
200 × 0.08 = 16 g of fragrance oil.
The finished blend weighs 200 + 16 = 216 g. Fragrance makes up approximately 7.41% of that total blend.

If we instead want 200 g of finished blend while keeping fragrance at 8% of the wax weight:
Wax = 200 / 1.08 ≈ 185.19 g.
Fragrance oil = 200 − 185.19 ≈ 14.81 g.

2. Percentage of the total blend weight

Fragrance oil (g) = total blend (g) × percentage / 100

For 200 g of finished blend with fragrance at 8% of the total:
Fragrance oil = 200 × 0.08 = 16 g.
Wax = 200 − 16 = 184 g.
This is approximately 8.70% of the wax weight, rather than 8%.

How do we choose the right percentage?

Follow the instructions and limits for the specific wax and fragrance oil, checking the calculation basis of each. The usage limits in the fragrance supplier’s current IFRA certificate apply to its concentration in the finished product for the relevant application. They are not recommended dosages and do not replace assessment of the finished product.

To check the final concentration, calculate: fragrance oil (g) / total weight of all ingredients (g) × 100. The formula must stay within both the wax and fragrance limits. Burn-test the final combination of wax, fragrance, wick and container, where used, before using the recipe in production.

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Do you have any questions? For answers to candle-making questions please contact our Technical Department at e-mail: info@candle.gr