Fragrance Oil per Pound of Wax
How much fragrance oil to add for each fragrance load. The percentage is of the wax weight: at 8%, one pound (16 oz) of wax takes 1.28 oz of fragrance oil.
| Fragrance load | Per 1 lb wax | Per 1 lb wax | Per 1 kg wax | Per 10 lb wax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | 0.48 oz | 14 g | 30 g | 4.8 oz |
| 4% | 0.64 oz | 18 g | 40 g | 6.4 oz |
| 5% | 0.80 oz | 23 g | 50 g | 8.0 oz |
| 6% | 0.96 oz | 27 g | 60 g | 9.6 oz |
| 7% | 1.12 oz | 32 g | 70 g | 11.2 oz |
| 8% | 1.28 oz | 36 g | 80 g | 12.8 oz |
| 9% | 1.44 oz | 41 g | 90 g | 14.4 oz |
| 10% | 1.60 oz | 45 g | 100 g | 16.0 oz |
| 11% | 1.76 oz | 50 g | 110 g | 17.6 oz |
| 12% | 1.92 oz | 54 g | 120 g | 19.2 oz |
Choosing a fragrance load
- Soy wax (container): commonly around 8%, usually no more than about 12%.
- Coconut or coconut-soy blend: commonly around 8%, usually no more than about 12%.
- Paraffin-soy blend: commonly around 8%, usually no more than about 10%.
- Paraffin (container): commonly around 7%, usually no more than about 10%.
- Beeswax: commonly around 4%, usually no more than about 6%.
More fragrance doesn't always mean a stronger scent. Past the wax's limit, oil can seep out of the candle ("sweating"), the flame can smoke, and some oils become a fire risk. Start around 6–8%, burn-test, and check both the wax and the fragrance oil's data sheets: some oils have their own maximums.
How to add fragrance oil
- Weigh the wax and the fragrance oil separately on a kitchen scale.
- Melt the wax and let it cool to the temperature your wax supplier recommends for adding fragrance.
- Pour in the oil and stir gently for about two minutes so it binds with the wax.
- Pour at your supplier's recommended temperature, then let the candles cure (often 1–2 weeks for soy) before testing the scent.
For exact amounts for your jars, use the wax and fragrance calculator.