Candle Wax & Fragrance Calculator
Calculate the exact amount of wax and fragrance oil needed for your batch.
How to Calculate Candle Ingredients
Precision is the key to successful candle making. Many beginners make the mistake of measuring fragrance oil by volume (drops or teaspoons) rather than weight. To ensure your candles have a consistent scent throw and burn safely, you must use the Candle Maker's Formula based on weight.
The Math Behind the Calculator
The total weight of your candle is the sum of your wax and your fragrance oil. If you fill a jar with 8oz of wax and then add 1oz of oil, you actually have 9oz of product, which may overflow the container. Our calculator uses the professional subtraction method:
- Total Weight = Number of Jars × Desired Fill Weight
- Wax Weight = Total Weight / (1 + Fragrance Load Percentage)
- Fragrance Weight = Total Weight – Wax Weight
Understanding Fragrance Load
Fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance oil relative to the weight of the wax. Most soy waxes can hold between 6% and 10% fragrance oil. Pushing beyond 12% can lead to "sweating" (oil seeping out of the wax) or dangerous flame flare-ups. Always check your specific wax manufacturer's data sheet for the maximum recommended load.
Practical Example
If you want to make 10 candles in 8oz jars with a 10% fragrance load:
- Total weight needed: 80oz.
- Wax needed: 80 / 1.10 = 72.73 oz.
- Fragrance oil needed: 80 – 72.73 = 7.27 oz.
By using this method, your finished product fits perfectly in the jar every time.