How Much Essential Oil to Add to a Candle: A Complete Guide

Candle-making with essential oils is one of the most rewarding ways to combine fragrance and atmosphere. Whether you’re creating gifts, stocking a small business, or simply enhancing your own space, knowing how much essential oil to add to a candle can make the difference between a subtle hint of scent and a beautifully aromatic burn.

This guide will walk you through the factors that affect essential oil usage in candles, recommended ratios for different waxes, tips for achieving a balanced scent throw, and techniques for blending fragrances to suit your style.

Why the Amount of Essential Oil Matters

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that bring natural aromatic complexity to candles. Too little, and the scent may be barely noticeable; too much, and the wax may struggle to set properly or the wick may burn unevenly. The goal is to find the sweet spot where your chosen oil disperses evenly through the wax, giving off a gentle, inviting fragrance as the candle burns.

The right measurement depends on:

• Type of wax: Each wax has a different fragrance load capacity.
  

• Type of essential oil: Lighter citrus notes may need more oil than heavier, resinous scents to be detectable.
  

• Candle size: Larger candles require proportionally more oil to fill the space with aroma.
  

• Scent throw preference: Stronger fragrance requires a higher percentage of oil.

Understanding Fragrance Load

The fragrance load is the percentage of aromatic material (in this case, essential oil) your wax can hold while still setting properly and burning cleanly. For most candle-making, fragrance loads fall between 5% and 10% by weight, though some waxes can accommodate slightly more.

To calculate:

1. Weigh your melted wax in grams or ounces.
   

2. Multiply the weight by the desired fragrance load percentage.
   

3. Measure the amount of essential oil to add.
   

For example, if you have 500g of soy wax and want a 6% fragrance load: 500 × 0.06 = 30g of essential oil.

Recommended Essential Oil Ratios by Wax Type

The amount of essential oil you should add to a candle depends on the type of candle you’re working with. Below, we break down the ideal fragrance load for the most common candle types.

Soy Wax

• Fragrance load: 6–10%
  

• Soy wax holds fragrance well, making it ideal for natural candle-making. However, essential oils are more volatile than synthetic fragrance oils, so aim for the higher end of the range (around 8–10%) for noticeable scent throw.

Beeswax

• Fragrance load: 5–7%
  

• Beeswax has its own gentle, honey-like aroma. Essential oils blend best when kept at moderate levels so the natural wax scent can shine through.

Coconut Wax

• Fragrance load: 8–12%
  

• Known for excellent scent throw, coconut wax works well with essential oils. This wax’s creamy texture holds aroma exceptionally well, allowing for more generous oil usage without compromising structure.
  

Paraffin Wax

• Fragrance load: 6–8%
  

• Paraffin provides a strong scent throw but can mask some delicate natural aromas. Sticking to mid-range percentages ensures the essential oil remains balanced.

Best Practices for Adding Essential Oils to Candles

To make sure you get the best performance out of your scented candle, make sure to keep the following tips in mind.

Add at the Right Temperature

Essential oils are heat-sensitive. Add them when the wax is around 175°F (79°C) for soy and coconut wax, or slightly lower for beeswax. This prevents the most volatile aroma compounds from evaporating.

Stir Thoroughly

Mix for at least two minutes to ensure the oil is evenly distributed throughout the wax.

Avoid Overloading

Adding too much essential oil can cause seepage (oil pooling on the surface) and affect burn performance.

Test Small Batches First

Candle-making is part art, part science—always test before committing to a large batch.

Achieving the Best Scent Throw with Essential Oils

Essential oils have a more subtle scent throw than synthetic fragrance oils, which makes blending and proportioning important.

• Hot throw: The aroma released while the candle burns.
  

• Cold throw: The scent you detect when the candle is unlit.

To improve hot throw with essential oils:

• Choose stronger oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, or rosemary.
  

• Pair lighter notes (lemon, orange) with grounding oils (cedarwood, patchouli) for depth.
  

• Use the maximum safe fragrance load your wax allows.

Blending Essential Oils for Candles

Creating a signature scent involves layering:

• Top notes: Bright, volatile oils like lemon, bergamot, or peppermint.
  

• Middle notes: Floral or herbal oils like lavender, geranium, or rosemary.
  

• Base notes: Rich, grounding oils like sandalwood, cedarwood, or patchouli.

A common blend ratio is 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, 20% base notes, adjusted to taste.

Safety and Storage of Essential Oils for Candles

To keep your essential oils potent and everyone in your home safe, remember the following:

• Store essential oils in dark glass bottles, away from heat and sunlight, to maintain their aromatic qualities.
  

• Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
  

• Label your candles with the essential oils used, especially if gifting or selling.

If you keep these tips in mind, your oils should stay fragrant and store for around 2 years, and everyone can safely enjoy your scented candles.

Quick Reference: How Much Essential Oil to Add

Final Thoughts: How Much Essential Oil to Add to a Candle

The right amount of essential oil to add to your candle depends on your wax type, scent preferences, and the oils you’re working with. By understanding fragrance load, measuring carefully, and testing blends, you can create candles that offer a warm glow and a beautifully natural aroma that’s perfect for transforming any space into a sensory haven.