This free candle fragrance load calculator splits your fill weight into the right amounts of wax and fragrance oil. Enter your vessel size, wax type and fragrance load. You get the exact weight of wax and fragrance oil for one candle or a whole batch, in grams and ounces, plus a cost per candle if you enter your supply prices.
How to use the Candle Fragrance Load Calculator
- Enter the vessel fill volume.
- Choose the wax type and fragrance load %, and whether the load is based on wax weight or total weight.
- Enter the number of candles.
- Add optional wax, fragrance and jar costs, then press Calculate.
Stay within the maximum load your wax supplier lists; the candle fragrance load calculator can’t know every blend’s limit. For candle safety and industry standards, see the National Candle Association.
How candle wax and fragrance are calculated
Wax is lighter than water, so a jar that holds 8 fl oz of water holds only about 6.9–7.2 oz (by weight) of candle. Using the water volume directly as the wax weight is the most common beginner mistake.
Typical fragrance loads
| Wax | Typical FO load | Max (check supplier) |
|---|---|---|
| Soy container wax | 6–10% | 10–12% |
| Coconut blends | 8–10% | 12% |
| Paraffin | 6–8% | 10–12% |
| Beeswax | 3–6% | 6–8% |
| Wax melts | 10–12% | 12–15% |
Frequently asked questions
How much fragrance oil do I add to 1 lb of soy wax?
At 10% by wax weight, add 1.6 oz (about 45 g) of fragrance oil to 16 oz (1 lb) of wax. At 6%, add about 1 oz.
How much wax do I need for an 8 oz candle?
An 8 fl oz jar holds about 203 g (7.2 oz) of soy candle in total. At 10% fragrance that is about 185 g wax plus 18.5 g fragrance.
Is fragrance load calculated on wax weight or total weight?
Most wax suppliers use the percentage of wax weight, which is the default here. Some makers use total weight, which gives slightly less fragrance. Both options are available.
Why doesn't my candle smell strong?
Common causes are adding fragrance when the wax is too cool, not stirring long enough, too short a cure time, the wrong wick size, or a fragrance that doesn’t suit your wax. More fragrance is not always the answer.
What is the fragrance load formula?
Based on wax weight: fragrance = wax × load %, so 16 oz of wax at 8% needs 1.28 oz of oil. If you only know the total fill weight: wax = total ÷ (1 + load %), and fragrance = total − wax.
What is a good fragrance oil to wax ratio?
Most soy container waxes take 6–10% and are often capped at 10–12%. Start around 8% and test burn before going higher; more oil doesn’t always give a stronger hot throw.
When should I add fragrance oil to the wax?
Many suppliers recommend adding fragrance at about 185 °F (85 °C) for soy wax and stirring gently for around two minutes so it binds. Check your wax’s data sheet, as the best temperature varies by blend.
Related tools
Results are estimates for general information. Check critical decisions with a qualified professional.