Candle Making 101: How to Measure the Right Amount of Fragrance Oil

When it comes to mixing scents, there’s really no right or wrong way to do it.

The more you work with fragrance oils, the better your nose gets at picking up different smells. Just like tasting food or wine, your sense of smell improves the more you pay attention to the little details. Blending is a fun and creative way to train your nose, explore what you enjoy, and even come up with your very own candle scents. And let’s be honest….it’s just really fun!

Why Scent Matters in Candles

Fragrance is what makes a candle truly special. Whether you love fresh, fruity, floral, or cosy smells, the scent is what sets the mood in a room. But here’s the truth..getting the right scent strength isn’t just about choosing the right oil. It also depends on how much fragrance oil you can add to your wax.

Too little oil and your candle won’t smell like much at all. Too much oil and your candle might not burn properly. So it’s important to find the right balance.

Hot Throw vs. Cold Throw: What’s the Difference?

You may hear others talk about “hot throw” vs. “cold throw” when it comes to candle scents.

• Cold throw is how your candle smells when it is not lit. This is usually the first scent people notice when they open the jar or pick up the candle.
• Hot throw is how the candle smells when it is burning. This is the scent that fills your room with fragrance, creating a cosy atmosphere.

You want your candle to smell good both cold and hot but hot throw is what really makes people love your candle and come back for more.

How to Start Blending Scents

When you’re comfortable with candle making, you might want to experiment with different fragrance oils to create your own scent! This is called blending and it’s a fun way to make your candles your own!

If you’re new to blending, start with scents you already know and like. For example, you could mix vanilla and lavender, or lemon and mint.

A simple way to test blends is by using blotter strips (small paper strips used to smell oils):

1. Dip each strip into a different fragrance oil.
2. Let them dry for a few seconds.
3. Hold the strips together and wave them near your nose.
4. Smell the blend and see what you think!

You can adjust how strong each scent is by dipping the strip deeper into the oil.

So, How Much Fragrance Oil Per Candle?

Now let’s get to the main question: how much fragrance oil should you use per candle?

The answer depends on the type of wax you’re using and how strong you want the scent to be. At AMCSupplies, we usually recommend using 5–10% fragrance oil and that’s around 5–10 grams of fragrance per 100 grams of wax. 

Here’s a simple formula:

Amount of wax × fragrance load = amount of fragrance oil

Let’s understand it!

Say you’re using 32 ounces (about 908 grams) of wax, and you want to use 6% fragrance oil.

Here’s the math:

• 32 oz × 0.06 = 1.92 oz of fragrance oil
• 908 grams × 0.06 = 54.48 grams of fragrance oil

You can round that to 2 ounces or 55 grams to make it easier when measuring on your scale.

What if I’m using a different amount of wax?

No problem! Just use the same formula.

Let’s try another example:

• You’re using 16 oz (about 454 grams) of wax
• You can use 8% fragrance oil

Here’s the math:

• 16 oz × 0.08 = 1.28 oz of fragrance oil
• 454 g × 0.08 = 36.32 grams of fragrance oil

Again, round up to 1.3 oz or 36 grams.

Things to Keep in Mind

1. Check your wax type
   Not all waxes are the same. Some can hold more fragrance than others. For example, soy wax usually holds 6–10% fragrance oil, while paraffin can sometimes hold more. Always check the instructions that come with your wax.
   
2. Test before making big batches
   It’s always a good idea to test one candle first. That way, you can make sure the scent throw is strong enough, and the candle burns well.
   
3. Don’t use too much oil
   Adding more fragrance oil than your wax can handle might cause the candle to burn unevenly or not at all. More scent doesn’t always mean better results.

AMCSupplies Candle Kits Make It Easy

If you’re using a candle-making kit from AMCSupplies, we make it super easy for you. Every kit includes clear instructions that tell you exactly how much fragrance oil per candle to use based on the wax and jars included.

Still not sure? Just ask us! We’re always happy to help you get the best results from your candles.

Final Tips for Success

• Use a kitchen scale to measure your wax and fragrance oil. It’s more accurate than using cups or spoons.
• Always mix your fragrance oil into the wax when the wax is at the right temperature.
• Stir well so the fragrance spreads evenly through the wax.
• Let your candles cure (sit and set) for a few days before burning. This helps the scent develop better.

In Summary: How Much Fragrance Oil Per Candle?

To wrap up, here’s what you need to remember:

• Most candles use around 5–10% fragrance oil (about 5–10 grams per 100 grams of wax)
• Use the formula: wax amount × fragrance % = fragrance oil amount
• Don’t make assumptions, weigh it!
• Start small, test your candles and adjust accordingly

Making candles is a fun and rewarding hobby. Once you understand how to get the right balance with your fragrance oils, you’ll be making candles that smell fabulous, burn great, and amaze everyone who walks into the room.

Happy candle making!

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