Hello crafty friends! In this post, we’re diving into the art of achieving the perfect fragrance load for your candles. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your craft, understanding fragrance load is key to creating candles that are both beautifully scented and burn efficiently. Check out my YouTube video on this where I walk you through both formulas step-by-step!
What is Fragrance Load?
Fragrance load is simply the percentage of fragrance oil in your candle compared to the total weight of the wax. This balance determines the strength of the scent throw—how strongly the candle smells both when lit and unlit. Getting this percentage right ensures your candles have the right aroma without overpowering the room or burning poorly.
Why Does Fragrance Load Matter?
If you don’t get the fragrance load right, your candle might either have a faint scent or fail to burn well. Too little fragrance oil can make your candles underwhelming, while too much can lead to issues like soot and poor burn quality. Finding the right fragrance load gives you the best of both worlds: a strong scent throw and a clean burn.
How to Calculate Fragrance Load: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s break down how to calculate fragrance load using an example with an 8 oz target fill. This is a great starting point for those looking to achieve the perfect balance between wax and fragrance oil. I love the Village Craft & Candle 9oz LUX jars so let’s pretend we are making a candle in that vessel targeting at 8oz total fill. You can pick up one of those jars here. Don’t forget to use code IHC5 at check out for 5% off your entire purchase. Ok, now let’s get back to that calculation…
Step 1: Convert Ounces to Grams
First, convert your target fill from ounces to grams. For 8 oz: 8 oz = 227 grams.
Step 2: Use the Fragrance Load Formula
Now, to calculate the fragrance load, use the following formula. If you’re aiming for an 8% fragrance load, multiply the total weight by that percentage: 227 x 8 = 1816.
Next, add the fragrance load to 100: 100 + 8 = 108.
Step 3: Calculate the Amount of Fragrance Oil
Divide the result (1816) by 108: 1816 ÷ 108 = 16.81 grams (round this to 17 grams).
So, to achieve an 8% fragrance load, you’ll need 17 grams of fragrance oil.
Step 4: Determine Wax Amount
Subtract the fragrance oil from the total target weight to figure out how much wax is needed: 227 grams – 17 grams = 210 grams of wax.
Step 5: Verify the Fragrance Load
To double-check, we can use a second formula to confirm the fragrance load: Fragrance oil weight ÷ Wax weight x 100 = Fragrance load percentage.
In our case: 17 grams ÷ 210 grams = 0.0809
0.086 x 100 = 8.1% fragrance load.
This confirms that our fragrance load is close to the desired 8%, ensuring the perfect scent strength for your candle.
An easy way to remember which formula to use and when, is knowing that one formula is to calculate fragrance load & the other formula is to confirm that your calculation is correct. One to calculate, one to confirm.
Since I love the LUX jars from Village Craft & Candle and I’m not a big fan of math, I created this awesome quick reference fragrance load table using both the 9oz LUX jars as well as the larger 15oz LUX jars so that we don’t have to do all this mathing next time! I made this quick reference for you….but I also made it for me lol Enjoy a free downloadable version by clicking here!
Here’s a look at the table just in case you’re excited to get started right away!
5 Factors That Affect Fragrance Load
There are several other key elements that influence how your candle will smell when it’s burning, and understanding them is just as crucial as calculating fragrance load. Here’s a breakdown of those factors.
1. Type of Wax
Each type of wax you use in your candles will behave differently when it comes to fragrance throw:
- Soy Wax: Known for a more subtle scent throw, which means you might need a slightly higher fragrance load to get a noticeable scent.
- Paraffin Wax: It tends to hold and throw fragrance much better, so you can often get away with using less fragrance oil.
- Beeswax: Has its own natural scent, which can dominate the candle. Many crafters choose not to add fragrance to beeswax candles so the natural scent shines through.
Additionally, each wax has a maximum fragrance load recommended by the manufacturer. This is crucial to ensuring your candle burns properly and efficiently. Always check your wax’s guidelines to avoid overloading with fragrance.
2. Wick Size
The size of your wick is directly related to how well the fragrance will burn off. If the wick is too small:
- It could cause tunneling, where the candle burns down the middle but leaves wax on the sides, affecting scent distribution. On the other hand, if the wick is too large:
- The candle could burn too hot, causing soot, excess fragrance loss, and an uneven burn. The right wick size ensures that your candle burns evenly, allowing the fragrance to disperse as intended.
3. Fragrance Oil Quality
Not all fragrance oils are created equally. Higher-quality oils are designed to give a stronger scent throw both when the candle is unlit and when it’s burning. These oils can be more expensive but are worth the investment for a more vibrant, long-lasting fragrance. Be sure to choose fragrance oils formulated specifically for candles, as they are designed to burn cleanly without affecting the candle’s performance.
4. Pouring Temperature
The temperature at which you pour your wax plays a huge role in how well the fragrance oil binds with the wax:
- Too hot: If the wax is too hot when the fragrance is added, the heat can cause the scent to burn off before the wax even begins to set.
- Too cool: On the flip side, if the wax is too cool, the fragrance oil might not disperse evenly, leading to poor scent performance, rough tops, or sinkholes. Each wax type has an ideal pouring temperature, so be sure to follow manufacturer guidelines and test for the best results.
5. Curing Time
Once you’ve poured your candle, allow it to cure for at least 1–2 weeks. During this time, the fragrance oil fully binds with the wax, which enhances the scent throw when the candle is burned.
A few other things to consider:
- Room Size: The size of the room where you burn the candle can affect how well the scent throws. Larger rooms may require a more concentrated fragrance, while smaller spaces can hold scent longer.
- Airflow: Drafts can cause the fragrance to dissipate faster, while a more enclosed space may help the fragrance linger longer.
Container Shape: Glass containers hold and release fragrance better than metal or ceramic, so choose your vessel wisely.
Wrapping It Up
Perfecting your fragrance load involves understanding the key factors that impact scent throw and burn quality, and with the right approach, you’ll be able to create candles that not only smell amazing but burn beautifully as well.
For a detailed visual guide on fragrance load, check out my full-length video tutorial on YouTube, where I walk you through every step in real-time. Don’t forget to subscribe for more candle-making tips!
