Candle Wax & Fragrance Calculator

Why fragrance percentage needs a denominator

A fragrance load of 8% means 8 g oil per 100 g wax here. That makes 108 g mixture, not 100 g. When a target fill already includes fragrance, multiplying that fill by 8% overstates the oil. This calculator divides the mixture into its two components before estimating costs. It does not use water volume, vessel dimensions, or assumed wax density.

Batch formula, units, and handling assumptions

Finished fill F = grams per candle × candle count. With handling loss fraction h, mixture M = F / (1 - h). With fragrance-to-wax fraction r, wax W = M / (1 + r) and oil O = M - W. Fragrance percent of total mixture = 100 × r / (1 + r). Divide ingredient grams by 1,000 before multiplying by USD/kg. Per-candle ingredient cost = batch ingredient cost / count.

The loss input is a fraction of the material mixed, not an extra percentage added to the final fill. A 4% loss requires division by 0.96. We assume a homogeneous mixture: selective evaporation or oil left separately in a jug is not modeled. Bounds are shown in each field; count must be a whole number.

Worked example: twelve 200 g candles

Twelve candles need 2,400 g finished fill. With 4% handling loss, mix 2,500 g. At 8% fragrance relative to wax, weigh 2,314.8148 g wax and 185.1852 g oil. That is 7.4074% fragrance by total mixture mass. At $8/kg wax and $40/kg oil, ingredient cost is $25.93 per batch, or $2.16 per candle, rounded to cents.

How to use the results at the pouring bench

Choose a scale precise enough for the oil quantity, then round ingredients together while keeping their intended ratio. Measure actual leftovers after a small trial batch to improve the handling input. A zero fragrance load produces an unscented batch; zero prices still show quantities but omit that ingredient's cost. Cost includes modeled waste, but excludes vessels, wicks, labels, labor, energy, shipping, and tax.

Sources and safety limitations

CandleScience's fragrance calculation guidance describes load relative to wax weight (support article updated April 30, 2026; no numbered edition). This page's reverse-batch formula is algebra, not a database of approved formulations. The 0–20% input range is a software bound, not permission to use that load. Follow current product-specific limits and perform appropriate wick, vessel, and burn testing; these results do not certify candle safety.

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Last updated: 2026-10-09. Batch quantities are planning estimates, not formulation approval.