How Much Fragrance Oil per Pound of Wax? A Simple Conversion Chart
How much fragrance oil to add to soy wax: a conversion chart for 6, 8, and 10% at common wax weights in ounces and grams, maximum loads by wax, how the type of scent changes the dose, and what happens when you add too much.
Updated: 4 min read
Short answer: 1 to 1.6 oz of fragrance oil per pound of wax, which is 6-10%, and 8% (about 1.3 oz per pound) is the place to start. The long answer depends on the wax, the oil, the size of the room, and how strong you want the scent. Here is the chart in ounces and grams, and all the exceptions.
Chart: fragrance oil by wax weight
| Wax | 6% | 8% | 10% | 12% (only if the wax allows) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 oz (113 g) | 0.24 oz (7 g) | 0.32 oz (9 g) | 0.4 oz (11 g) | 0.48 oz (14 g) |
| 8 oz (227 g) | 0.48 oz (14 g) | 0.64 oz (18 g) | 0.8 oz (23 g) | 0.96 oz (27 g) |
| 12 oz (340 g) | 0.72 oz (20 g) | 0.96 oz (27 g) | 1.2 oz (34 g) | 1.44 oz (41 g) |
| 1 lb (454 g) | 0.96 oz (27 g) | 1.28 oz (36 g) | 1.6 oz (45 g) | 1.92 oz (54 g) |
| 2 lb (907 g) | 1.92 oz (54 g) | 2.56 oz (73 g) | 3.2 oz (91 g) | 3.84 oz (109 g) |
| 5 lb (2.27 kg) | 4.8 oz (136 g) | 6.4 oz (181 g) | 8 oz (227 g) | 9.6 oz (272 g) |
| 10 lb (4.54 kg) | 9.6 oz (272 g) | 12.8 oz (363 g) | 16 oz (454 g) | 19.2 oz (544 g) |
For specific jars and whole batches, work out wax and fragrance in the soy wax calculator.
Weight, not volume
Fragrance oils vary in density (0.85-1.05 g/ml), so 1 fl oz of one oil weighs 0.9 oz and another 1.1 oz. Counting drops is even less precise: a drop is 0.03-0.05 g, so 1.3 oz of oil is about 900 drops. A scale accurate to 0.1 g costs a few dollars and pays for itself on the first batch.
The maximum depends on the wax
| Wax | Stated maximum | Practical sweet spot |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Brands 464 | 10-12% | 8-10% |
| Golden Brands 444 | 10-12% | 8-10% |
| C-3 (NatureWax) | 12% | 8-10% |
| EcoSoya CB-Advanced | 12% | 8-10% |
| Soy-coconut blends | 12% | 9-11% |
| Pillar soy wax | 8-10% | 6-8% |
Load by type of scent
- Strong oils (vanilla, patchouli, coffee, cinnamon, lavender, woods): 6-7% is often enough. At 10% they can be overwhelming.
- Medium (florals, fruits, gourmand): 8% is the safe standard.
- Light (citrus, green, ocean, clean linen): 9-10%, because their molecules are volatile and dissipate quickly.
- Essential oils: technically 6-10%, but the hot throw will be weak regardless; going higher is not worth the cost.
Load versus candle and room size
Scent is released from the surface of the melt pool, so a large candle in a wide jar smells stronger than a small one at the same percentage. For a 120 sq ft bedroom a 4-6 oz candle at 6-7% is plenty. For a 300 sq ft living room you want a 12 oz+ candle with two wicks at 8-10%, or two smaller candles. Pushing the load past 10% will not replace a bigger melt pool.
What happens with too much oil
- Sweating: droplets of oil on the surface and walls, especially after a change in room temperature.
- Clogged wick: a smaller flame, self-extinguishing, a mushroom on the tip.
- Sputtering and soot: unbound oil burns unevenly.
- Weaker scent: paradoxically, because the oil is unevenly distributed and partly burns instead of evaporating.
- Safety: free oil on the surface has a lower flash point than wax.
What happens with too little
Nothing bad, technically: the candle burns evenly but the scent is subtle. 3-5% is a good load for bedroom candles, dinner candles, and anyone sensitive to fragrance. At a lower load you can also go down a wick size.
Scaling up a batch
The load is only half the story. Temperature, stirring, and curing are covered in how to scent soy candles.
Frequently asked questions
How much fragrance oil for 1 lb of soy wax?
1 to 1.6 oz (6-10%). The standard is about 1.3 oz per pound (8%). Check the wax maker's maximum: some soy waxes allow 12%, others only 10%.
How many drops of fragrance oil per candle?
Do not count drops. A drop is 0.03-0.05 g, so 0.5 oz of oil for an 8 oz jar is roughly 350 drops and the error is enormous. Weigh fragrance on a scale accurate to 0.1 g.
Is 1 fl oz of fragrance oil the same as 1 oz by weight?
Not always. Fragrance oil density runs from about 0.85 to 1.05 g/ml, so 1 fl oz can weigh 0.9 to 1.1 oz. For repeatable results dose by weight.
What is the maximum fragrance load for soy wax?
Usually 10-12% of the wax weight, depending on the manufacturer. Beyond that the wax cannot bind the oil and you get sweating, soot, and a weaker scent.
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