Use the Candle Fragrance Load Calculator to estimate the exact wax and fragrance oil (FO) needed per candle and batch. Enter quantity, container size, fragrance load %, and wax gravity to get precise totals in ounces.

Calculate Candle Fragrance Load for Free

How Candle Fragrance Load Calculator works?

This calculator converts your container size into a target total fill per candle (by weight in ounces), then splits that total into wax and fragrance oil based on your chosen fragrance load percentage. Because containers are often specified in fluid ounces, we account for wax specific gravity (density) to translate volume to weight.

Key concepts and formulas

  • Specific Gravity (SG): Ratio of wax density to water. Typical values: soy ≈ 0.90, paraffin ≈ 0.91–0.92, beeswax ≈ 0.95.

    If your container is listed in fluid ounces, convert to weight:

    Weight (oz) = Fluid oz × SG

  • Unit conversions:

    1 lb = 16 oz, 1 oz = 28.3495 g, 1 g = 1 / 28.3495 oz

  • Fragrance load % is of wax weight (industry norm and aligns with supplier/IFRA guidance).

    Let T = total weight per candle (oz), W = wax (oz), F = fragrance (oz), p = fragrance load % (of W). Then:

    F = W × (p / 100) and T = W + F = W × (1 + p/100)

    Solving for W and F:

    W = T / (1 + p/100)

    F = T − W

Worked example

  • Quantity: 6 candles

  • Container size: 8 fluid oz

  • Wax SG: 0.90 (typical for soy)

  • Fragrance load: 8% (of wax)

  1. Convert container size to weight ounces:

    T = 8 fl oz × 0.90 = 7.2 oz (by weight) per candle.

  2. Split into wax and fragrance using p = 8:

    W = 7.2 ÷ 1.08 = 6.666… oz ≈ 6.7 oz

    F = 7.2 − 6.7 = 0.5 oz (≈ 0.53 oz exact)

  3. Batch totals (× 6):

    Wax ≈ 40.0 oz, Fragrance ≈ 3.2 oz, Total ≈ 43.2 oz

This mirrors practical workshop math candle makers use for pour weight, but gives you instant, consistent results at scale.

What to enter for accurate results?

Enter values exactly as you use them in your candle-making process. Matching your real measurements for container size, fragrance load, and wax gravity ensures the calculator gives accurate, usable results.

Quantity

Use the number of candles in your production run (batch size). Larger quantities help you order and weigh materials efficiently.

Container Size

If your vessel is labeled in fluid ounces, choose ounce (fl oz). The calculator will convert fluid ounces to weight ounces using your wax SG. If you have the target weight already (e.g., 7.5 oz pour), choose pound or gram and we’ll convert to ounces.

Fragrance Load

Enter the FO percentage of wax (e.g., 6–10% is common). Always verify with supplier specs and IFRA maximums for your fragrance oil and wax blend.

Wax Gravity

Use the SG for your wax or blend. Typical starting points: soy ≈ 0.90, paraffin ≈ 0.91–0.92, beeswax ≈ 0.95. If you have a measured value from your supplier, use that for best accuracy.

What affects real-world fragrance load?

Real-world burn results can differ from calculator estimates due to factors like fragrance limits, wax blends, vessel properties, and environmental conditions.

Fragrance Oil & IFRA Limits

Different fragrance oils have different maximum safe loads. Exceeding IFRA or supplier recommendations can cause sweating, seepage, or safety issues. Always stay within the stated maximum.

Wax Blend & Gravity Variance

Blends (e.g., soy–paraffin) and additives (vybar, microcrystalline, stearic) slightly change density and performance, shifting your weight conversions and optimal FO percentage.

Vessel Heat Retention & Fill Temperature

Thick glass and ceramics retain heat, which can influence hot throw, adhesion, and how much FO the wax holds without issues. Fill temperature and mixing temp also affect binding.

Environmental & Process Control

Room temperature, cure time, and mixing time impact hot throw and stability. Even with perfect math, under-cured candles or inconsistent mixing can underperform.

Frequently asked questions

It’s calculated as a percentage of wax weight. The calculator uses that convention to split total pour weight into wax and FO accurately.

If you select ounce (fl oz) as the unit, the calculator converts to weight ounces automatically using your wax specific gravity.

Typical ranges are 6–10% for soy and 4–8% for paraffin, but always follow supplier and IFRA guidance for each specific fragrance oil and wax system.

Assumptions differ—especially whether FO% is of wax vs total, and how specific gravity is handled. This tool uses FO% of wax and explicit density conversion for consistency.