Wax Melt Fragrance Load Calculator
Calculate how much fragrance oil to add to your wax melts based on wax type, weight, and desired scent throw strength.
Wax melts are scented wax pieces warmed in an electric or tea-light warmer to release fragrance into a room. Unlike candles, wax melts don’t have a wick — they’re a pure scent-delivery product.
Fragrance load is the percentage of fragrance oil added to the wax by weight. Higher fragrance load = stronger scent throw, but too much oil causes separation or sweating.
Recommended fragrance loads by wax type:
| Wax Type | Max Fragrance Load | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Soy wax (IGI 6006 / similar) | 12% | 8–10% |
| Paraffin wax | 6–8% | 6% |
| Coconut wax | 12–14% | 10–12% |
| Beeswax | 3–5% | 3% |
| Parasoy blend | 10–12% | 8–10% |
The formula:
Fragrance oil (oz or g) = Wax weight × (Fragrance % ÷ 100)
Example: 500g of soy wax at 10% fragrance load:
500 × 0.10 = 50g of fragrance oil
Scent throw levels:
- Mild (6%): Subtle background scent, good for sensitive noses or small rooms
- Medium (8%): Pleasant room scent, noticeable without being overpowering
- Strong (10%): Clear, consistent scent throughout the room
- Maximum (12%+): Very strong, suited for large open areas
Clamshell capacity:
Most standard wax melt clamshells hold 2.5–3 oz (70–85g) of wax. A 1 oz bag of fragrance oil is typically enough for 6–12 oz of wax (at 8–10% load).
Tips for better scent throw:
- Always weigh ingredients — volume measurements are inaccurate for wax blending
- Add fragrance oil when wax is at 170–185°F (77–85°C), then stir slowly for 2 minutes
- Pour when wax cools to 150–160°F (65–71°C) to prevent sinkholes
- Let wax melts cure for 24–48 hours before use — cold throw improves significantly
- Use phthalate-free fragrance oils for cleaner scent and safety
Hot throw vs cold throw:
- Cold throw: The scent you smell when the wax is solid (unmelted)
- Hot throw: The scent released when warmed in the melter Soy wax typically has excellent cold throw but needs curing time for best hot throw.