Fragrance load is the weight of fragrance oil as a percentage of the weight of wax. At a 10% load, 100 g of wax takes 10 g of fragrance oil.
Two ways people calculate it
- Percentage of wax (most common): fragrance = wax × load. 16 oz of wax at 8% → 1.28 oz of oil, 17.28 oz total.
- Percentage of the total: fragrance = total × load. Some suppliers use this; the numbers come out slightly lower. Check which method your wax's data sheet means.
This site uses the percentage of wax, and splits your total pour into wax plus oil so the candle still fills to the same line.
How much is too much?
Each wax has a maximum it can hold, often 10–12% for container soy and coconut blends and less for beeswax. Beyond it, oil can pool on the surface or seep out, and the candle may smoke or burn unsafely. Higher isn't always stronger: many oils throw just as well at 6–8%.
See the fragrance oil per pound chart for ready-made amounts.