Candle Making

How Much Fragrance Oil Per Candle?

Getting your fragrance load right is the difference between a candle that fills a room and one you can barely smell. Here's the simple rule, plus how to find your own sweet spot.

The standard fragrance load

Most soy waxes hold a fragrance load of 6–10% by weight of wax. A good starting point is 6%, then test upward. For a 200g candle, that means roughly 12–20g of fragrance oil. Use a digital scale — measuring by weight is far more accurate than by volume.

More isn't always stronger

It's tempting to pour in extra fragrance, but over-fragrancing causes seeping, poor adhesion, and even a fire risk. Beyond the wax's maximum load, the oil simply doesn't bind. Test at 6%, 8%, and 10% to find where your scent throw peaks without problems.

Add fragrance at the right temperature

Pour fragrance into your wax at the correct temperature — typically 55–65°C for soy — then stir slowly and continuously for two full minutes so it binds properly. If your wax is too hot when you add fragrance, the volatile top notes evaporate before the candle is even made.

Use candle-safe oils

Not all fragrance oils are heat-safe. Always use oils rated for candles, and check that the fragrance flash point is above your pour temperature. Quality oil matters as much as quantity for a strong, lasting hot throw.