How to use the fragrance load calculator
- Choose whether you know the wax weight or the total batch weight (wax plus fragrance).
- Enter the weight in ounces, pounds, grams or kilograms.
- Enter your fragrance load % and whether it is a % of wax or of total.
- Weigh out the fragrance oil shown, and use the conversions to compare with recipes written in oz per pound.
Fragrance load formulas
% of wax: Fragrance = Wax × Load% % of total: Fragrance = Wax × Load% ÷ (1 − Load%) oz per lb = Fragrance (oz) ÷ Wax (lb) 1 oz per lb = 6.25% of wax
Worked examples
- 1 lb of soy wax at 6.25% → 16 × 0.0625 = 1 oz of fragrance.
- 500 g of wax at 10% of wax → 50 g of fragrance (9.1% of the 550 g total).
- 500 g of wax at 10% of total → 500 × 0.10 ÷ 0.90 = 55.6 g of fragrance.
Fragrance load chart (per pound of wax)
| Load (% of wax) | Per 1 lb wax | Per 1 kg wax | % of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | 0.48 oz | 30 g | 2.9% |
| 6% | 0.96 oz | 60 g | 5.7% |
| 6.25% | 1.00 oz | 62.5 g | 5.9% |
| 8% | 1.28 oz | 80 g | 7.4% |
| 10% | 1.60 oz | 100 g | 9.1% |
| 12% | 1.92 oz | 120 g | 10.7% |
Why the two percentage methods differ
Suppose you make a 1,000 g batch. Using 10% of wax, you need 909 g of wax and 91 g of fragrance — the fragrance is 10% of the wax but only 9.1% of the finished candle. Using 10% of total, you need 900 g of wax and 100 g of fragrance. The difference looks small, but at higher loads it grows: 12% of total is 13.6% of wax, which may be above your wax’s limit. That is why it matters to use the same method as the wax manufacturer when you read their maximum load. If a recipe says “1 oz per pound”, it means % of wax: 6.25%.
Getting a strong scent throw
- Choose a wax made for scent throw and check its maximum load on the supplier’s data sheet.
- Use candle-safe fragrance oils. Essential oils often need a higher load and can be weaker in candles.
- Hit the right temperature when adding oil, and stir thoroughly so it binds with the wax.
- Cure your candles for one to two weeks (soy) before testing hot throw.
- Wick correctly. A full melt pool across the jar within 2–3 hours releases far more scent than extra oil.
- Test one variable at a time — load, wick or wax — and write down every result, including the room size you tested in.
- Check safety data: some fragrances lower the flash point of the wax, so never overheat the oil.