How to Calculate the Correct Amount of Fragrance Oil for Candle Making
One question often asked by candle makers is: how do you calculate the correct amount of fragrance oil to add to wax?
While it may seem straightforward, understanding the nuances of scent load percentages and calculations is key to achieving consistent results.
Understanding Fragrance Load vs fragrance content
Scent load refers to the amount of fragrance oil in a candle as a percentage. However, there are two common methods to calculate this percentage:
- Relative to Wax: The ratio of oil to wax only. Usually Known as Fragrance Load
- Relative to the Total Blend: The ratio of oil to the combined weight of wax and oil. Usually known as Fragrance Content
Let’s break down these two methods with a practical example.
*NOTE Candle Shack exclusively use Fragrance Content as our preferred method of calculation in all of our recipes.
Example: Calculations
Imagine you’re working with a container candle and have two identical glasses.
Option 1: Oil Relative to Wax (Fragrance load)
Start with 200g of wax.
Take 10% of this weight for the fragrance oil:
200g × 10% = 20g of oil.
This is a 10% scent load relative to the wax.
Option 2: Oil Relative to the Total Blend (Fragrance Content)
Start with a total weight of 220g (wax + oil).
Take 10% of the total weight for the fragrance oil:
220g × 10% = 22g of oil.
This method results in 22g of oil and 198g of wax.
Which Method Should You Use?
The method you choose depends on your personal preference or production process. The important thing is to remain consistent in your calculations and be transparent about your method on product labels or packaging.
Tools for Calculation
If doing these calculations manually feels daunting, you can use a pre-made calculator to simplify the process. Let’s see how this works in practice.
To use a candle calculator:
- Enter the scent percentage (e.g., 10%).
- Specify the container mass (e.g., 220g).
- Input the batch size (e.g., 100 candles).
WAX AND PERFUME CALCULATOR Option 1: FRAGRANCE CONTENT
Based on Container Fill Mass-
Fragrance oil per candle: 22g.
Wax per candle: 198g.
This approach calculates scent load relative to the total container mass.
*NOTE
This is the preferred method of calculations at Candle Shack and is what we use for all of our recipes.
WAX AND PERFUME CALCULATOR - OPTION 2: FRAGRANCE LOAD
Based on wax mass-
Fragrance oil per candle: 20g.
Wax per candle: 200g.
This method shows you the total amount of wax and oil required for the batch based on a scent load relative to wax.
Adding Dye to the Mix
When incorporating dye, such as Bekro dye at 0.2%, the calculations shift slightly:
- Option 1 (Fragrance Content): The dye weight is calculated relative to 220g of wax.
- Option 2 (Fragrance Load): The dye weight is based on the total 200g mass.
The calculator can help adjust these values seamlessly, ensuring accurate and consistent results.
To calculate the correct amount of fragrance oil for your candles, you can measure it as a percentage of just the wax (fragrance load) or the total weight of wax and oil combined (fragrance content). Both methods work, but consistency and clarity are key, especially for labelling. Use a calculator to simplify the process and ensure accuracy, whether you're adding fragrance or dye. Happy candle making!