"Fragrance load explained: what 6%, 8% and 10% really mean"
"Fragrance load" is the amount of fragrance oil in a candle, written as a percentage. It sounds simple, but two makers can mean different things by the same number, and getting it wrong wastes expensive oil or gives you candles that sweat oil on the surface.
Two ways to count it
- Percentage of the wax weight (the usual way). At 8%, every 16 oz of wax gets 1.28 oz of fragrance. The total fill is 17.28 oz.
- Percentage of the total fill. At 8%, a 16 oz fill is 14.72 oz wax and 1.28 oz fragrance.
The difference is small at low loads and grows as the load rises. Most wax manufacturers state their maximum load as a percentage of the wax weight, so that's what the PourMath calculator uses. Whichever you choose, use it consistently in your batch notes.
The maximum on the data sheet is a ceiling, not a target
Every container wax has a maximum fragrance load, often 10-12%. Going above it can leave oil pooling on the top or seeping at the edges, and the extra oil isn't held by the wax anyway. Many makers find their candles smell just as strong at 6-8% once the wick and cure are right.
Why a stronger candle isn't just more oil
How strongly a candle scents a room (its "hot throw") depends on several things together:
- The fragrance itself. Some oils are simply louder than others at the same load.
- The temperature you add it at. Suppliers usually give a temperature for adding fragrance; adding it too cool means it doesn't bind well.
- Stirring. Two full minutes of gentle stirring is a common recommendation.
- The wick. A wick that's too small never builds a full melt pool, so less fragrance is released.
- Cure time. Soy candles usually smell noticeably stronger after resting a week or two.
If a candle is weak, test these before raising the load.
Quick reference (percentage of wax weight)
| Load | Fragrance per 1 lb (16 oz) wax | Per 1 kg wax |
|---|---|---|
| 6% | 0.96 oz | 60 g |
| 8% | 1.28 oz | 80 g |
| 10% | 1.60 oz | 100 g |
Safety first
Fragrance oils have a flash point listed on their safety data sheet. Follow your supplier's handling instructions, keep oils away from open flame and hot plates, and never leave melting wax unattended. Label finished candles with the warnings buyers expect where you sell them.
Work out your own batch with the calculator.