guuuuurl i wanna hug you. I hated math and I said as a young gurl.Im never going to get a job that consist of MATH.. I should have listened. Cause I've been putting Siri to WORK LOL LOL.. I never thought I needed to use math. This video was my BREAKTHROUGH, and when I read your messages, I started cracking up laughing cause all through this video everything you wrote, I said to myself lol lol Good luck Sis
Same here! I thought making candles you just melt the type of wax you want and dump in fragrance. Boy was I wrong! This was by far the easiest to understand!
Your videos have always been a huge help, but I'm not sure that I completely agree on this one. Here's why: To make your candles, you don't need 51 oz of wax, you actually need 51 oz of wax and FO mixture. By your formula, you just made 51 oz of wax + 3.06 oz of FO for a total mixture of 54.06 oz. This results in an excess waste of 3.06 oz. Not much in this example of a small batch, but but it could definitely add up over larger quantities. So, I think the right formula assuming the same 6% FL would be: 1. Wax Weight: Total Weight/(1 + FL) Using this example: 51/(1+.06) = 51/1.06 = 48.11 oz 2. Fragrance Weight: Total Weight - Wax Weight Using this example: 51 - 48.11 = 2.89 oz 3. We have now made exactly what we needed: 48.11 + 2.89 = 51 oz (round all numbers as appropriate for your scale) Please feel free to correct me if I made a mistake on this. Thanks so much for all of your incredibly helpful videos!
Hi Wes! You are not incorrect, if you want to be extremely precise with your measurements and have no wax leftover. But this can get unnecessarily complicated, both in doing and in explaining. We find this method is the simplest way for most people and circumstances to still get great results without giving themselves a headache. 🙂
@@candlescience but your math is still wrong and as such your video is misleading. It would be helpful if you disclosed up front in the video that you would end up with an excess 3 ounces of wax. Your math gives me excess material which is a waste in resources and adds up very quickly. For a video called "Candle making math" I was expecting to get some more precision.
SO glad I found this video even if it's years later, this was the simplest and easiest explanation for me. You explain it so clearly and I enjoyed the step by step, thanks !!
This was so informative and easy to understand. I've already decided that you would be my candle instructor's and supplier. I've received my first batch of fragrance oils
Sorry, I just watched your video and I'm a bit confused. If you use 3.06oz FO and 52oz wax that is a total of 55.06oz of FO/Wax solution which when divided into 6 equal parts for each container is 9.01oz and greater than the fill capacity of 8.5oz. The only way to keep the fill capacity of 8.5oz would be to subtract the weight of the FO (3.06oz) from the weight of the wax (51oz) for a net weight in wax of 47.94oz. Then weight of wax 47.94oz plus weight of FO 3.06oz would equal 51oz and when divided by 6 for candles would be 8.50oz per candle. And that means that 3.06oz will no longer be 6% of a wax weight of 47.94oz.
Interesting that you said this. I think the math may be a tad bit off. I have 10 oz jars and my vendor recommended 7.76 oz wax or 220 grams. I'm thinking the 8.5 oz may be if measuring the wax as flakes vs liquid. When I weighed my 7.76 oz in flake form, I ended up short. I'm going to try melting the wax and then measuring at 7.76 oz on a scale to see if that will help. Any suggestions on this @candlescience? Should this be weighed on a scale in liquid (not fl oz) form or flake form?
@@amandarayewilkinsErica from Memory Box Candle Co or Wade from Black Tie Barns has excellent TH-cam videos that will help with your Candle Math so you always have the right amount for your containers. Either one explains it way better than I ever could.
Thank so you much. This is the easiest and most informative video i’ve watched for beginner candle making. The math was making my head hurt and you broke it down perfectly.
We're so glad it helped! If you ever have any questions during the making process or run into any issues, just let us know and we'd be happy to assist!
@@nancywisniewski8519 there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows. 8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage) 8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight) 8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil) So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil. CHECK 0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil 7.27+.73= 8oz
@@ruckzb9196 there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows. 8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage) 8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight) 8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil) So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil. CHECK 0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil 7.27+.73= 8oz
@CandleScience If I add the 3.06 oz of fragrance to the 51 oz of wax, than I will have 53.06 oz of fragranced wax. Wouldn't that be more than what I would need to fill the containers?
there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows. 8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage) 8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight) 8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil) So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil. CHECK 0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil 7.27+.73= 8oz
The doctor sharing, I understand the formula, my question. Is do you civic the 51oz by 20? Some videos and research I have done is you multiply your container is by hard (as you said),then you take that answer and divide by 20. A!so for fragrance, I read you multiply number of oz by 15, and that tells you how much fragrance to use. Please clarify. Thanks again.
The one thing i don't understand is where we are leaving room for the fragrance oils. It sounds like the added weight of the FOs will overfill the jars past the fill line, since that's the weight you used for the calculation.
Generally, this is not something you need to worry about and can over-complicate the process. With a typical fill line you will have plenty of room to accommodate the addition of the fragrance.
You are 100% correct, the formula he is doing is incorrect. Shockingly so many of these candlemakers do not show the correct formula. I think many of them know it’s not 100% accurate but are fearful to try and explain the math. Here is a link to probably one of the best videos explaining it and showing you how to do it correctly (I am in no way affiliated with this you tuber) th-cam.com/video/VhjipDG6avo/w-d-xo.html
@@wickedwinnie Thanks! I actually came across this youtuber a bit ago and was able to use her formula. There's definitely alot of confusion out there lol. I know alot of folks don't care about the excess, but i definitely do😅
You may have a bit of leftover wax with this method yes, but it can come in handy to have if you have any sinkholes or imperfections and need a second pour. You can absolutely calculate exactly how much wax and fragrance you will need for a batch of candles using another method but it leaves less room for error. For example, the jars will likely need to be filled on a scale and if there are any spills, there will not be any wax left to complete the entire batch.
Would you be able to show how you weigh the wax and the fragrance oil? Not sure how to do that in ounces since it is recommended to measure in grams. Thank you
To measure out the materials, we set our scale to ounces, place a container on the scale, tare it to 0, and pour in the material to the desired amount. This will give you ounces in weight, not fluid ounces. You could absolutely measure in grams instead just be sure to use grams for all of the materials for accuracy!
Thanks. This is very helpful. I was going to use a wax calculators. Does your formula or a wax calculator take into consideration the difference between water and wax weight? Wax being. Lighter and the whole volume thing?
So glad it helps! Because all of the ingredients will be measured by weight, you won't need to calculate any of the materials volumetrically. There is typically a difference between the fluid measurement of a container, or how much water it will hold, and the wax weight of that container, or how much wax it can hold. To make this step easier, we list both the fluid volume as well as the wax weight for all of the jars we carry. You can just use the wax weight in your calculations for the most accurate results! This tutorial also touches a bit on the water and wax weight of a container: www.candlescience.com/learning/how-to-make-enamel-mug-candles
If you need a total of 51oz and you use the full 51oz and then add the 3.06oz of FO. Won't you then be left with more wax than you need ( 51+3.06=54.06) isn't there a way to make the exact amount that is needed (in this case it's 51oz) without having any leftover wax?
You will have a bit left over, yes! Some advantages to this are that you'll have some left to fix any flaws that might show in the candles and will have some wiggle room for spills or uneven filling. This is the easiest method but there are ways to calculate the exact amount of wax as well! If you will not have any to spare and are pouring into jars with an ambiguous fill line though, you may need to pour the wax into each jar on a tared out scale to make sure each has the same amount of wax. You can calculate the exact amount needed like this: Wax Needed = Total Combined Weight / (1 + FO Percentage) FO Needed = Wax Needed x (Fragrance Percentage) For example, the calculations for a 16 oz candle at 9% fragrance load would look like this: 16/1.09 = 14.68 This is how much wax you'll need 14.68 x 0.09 = 1.32 This is how much fragrance you'll need So 14.68 + 1.32 = 16 oz, which is the total wax weight of the container. This method is a bit more involved but might be worth trying for larger batches! If you have any questions, please just ask and I'd be happy to help!
So after adding oil total the total oz would be 54.06 after filling your 6 jars at 8.5 oz you are left wit 3.06 which was the total of the oil you added so we suppose to do wit that trash it I’m jus confused
This is exaclty what I was thinking> There should be an equation that does not give you extra wax. You dont want to waste it if youre running a business.
there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows. 8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage) 8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight) 8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil) So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil. CHECK 0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil 7.27+.73= 8oz
@@ellesiegmund2640 there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows. 8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage) 8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight) 8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil) So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil. CHECK 0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil 7.27+.73= 8oz
This was so helpful. My question is are we determining the wax melted or before melting? For example, is the 51oz of wax in this example melted or not?
51oz of wax will always weigh 51oz, no matter if you are measuring the flakes or the melted wax. We recommend weighing the wax flakes prior to melting, it's much easier to handle. 🙂
@@candlescience Thank you so much. I wasn't sure if there is a variance in the flakes vs the melted wax. I thought maybe the wax is heavier as flakes which give a variance in numbers. Thanks again.
Depending on what type of wax your using, the fragrance oil distribution changes. What types of waxes does this apply to? I am currently using container wax.
Hi! Every wax has a maximum amount of fragrance it can hold. Often this is 10% fragrance, but it varies wax to wax. Make sure to check the manufacturer or supplier recommendations for the specific wax you're using.
I found a scented oil, Brand Ananya. Can that be used in making a candle? I've never made a candle, but recently got a kit to make one. Any information is greatly appreciated.
I'm not familiar with the brand so unfortunately, I'm not able to provide instructions for use in candles, I'm so sorry! If it is a perfume, it will likely not be appropriate for candlemaking. If it is a fragrance oil, there is a better chance it can be used but I would advise using it according to the instructions and not using more than your wax can hold.
So you aren't subtracting fragrance oils from the over all amount of wax in jar. So the formula I have been using for these jars in 241g multiple by .075= 18.075 fragrance oil. Then I have been taking 241g and subtracting the fragrance oil percentage. This would look like 241g -18.08g fo=222.92 grams of wax and 18.08g of fragrance oil per one straight sized libby jar with fill line of 8.5 ounces (same jar you are using). Am I not supposed to subtract at the end?
You absolutely can! This way is just a bit more complicated and does not leave any extra wax but will usually give you the exact wax weight needed to fill a container. The equation we recommend will have a bit of wax and fragrance left over. This can come in handy if you are making larger batches and not filling each vessel on a scale, or if there are any spills or candles that need a second pour. As long as you're not overloading the wax with fragrance and you are happy with the results, no need to change the measurements you've been using!
Yep! You'll just want to be sure to double check the recommended usage amounts of the essential oils and be sure you don't use more than the max fragrance load your wax allows for.
The recommended pouring temperature for your candles will depend mainly on the type of wax you'll be using as it can vary from wax to wax. It can also change depending on your environmental temp or how cool your containers might be. The usual recommended pouring temperature for 464, for example, is 135°F but I usually see better results pouring around 150°F in my workspace.
You can use the water weight, yes! The measurement might not be exact but it will be close enough to get a good idea of how much wax you'll need. The most accurate way would be to place your jar on a tared out scale and pour melted wax to your desired fill level. The number on the scale would then be your wax weight.
If the candle I am making is a 12oz jar but it only has a fill weight of say 9 oz, on my label would I refer to this jar as a 9 oz candle or a 12oz candle?
Great question! Labeling by the wax weight is the best and most accurate way of letting the customer know just how much candle they are actually getting. In this case, I'd label the candle as the 9 oz.
Hi! This will depend on the fragrance load you will be using. Each wax can have a different maximum fragrance load and we'd recommend not using more than the wax recommends. If you'd like to let us know what fragrance % you'd like to use, we'd be happy to calculate how much fragrance you'd need for six 4oz tins! This equation can also be helpful: (oz of wax using) x (% of fragrance oil you want to use) = (oz of fragrance oil needed)
There may still be a bit of extra wax left over in some cases, but there shouldn't be too much. If there is a lot of wax left over each time, you could try adjusting your recipe or reach out to support@candlescience.com with the materials you're using and we'd be happy to see if we can help as well!
Not at all, it's one we get quite a bit! 🙂 A pound of dry wax will still weigh a pound once it's melted--it's only the volume that changes. It's much easier to weigh prior to melting.
@@candlescience hello, how do we calculate how much dry wax we need since the volume changes? For example, if I’m making four 4oz candles, melting 16oz of dry wax isn’t enough to get to my fill lines. Thanks in advance
The most accurate way would be to place your empty jar on a scale, tare it out, and pour in melted wax until you reach your desired fill level. The number on the scale will be the wax weight for that jar! You could also estimate by using the water weight of the jar but it may be a little bit off. An example of that can be seen in this tutorial: www.candlescience.com/learning/how-to-make-enamel-mug-candles/
We sell fragrance oils in 1 oz, 4 oz, 16 oz, and 5 lb sizes. The large bottle here is a 16 oz and they can be found on the website under the fragrance you are interested in!
Technically, yes! Adding 1 oz of fragrance to 16 oz of wax will increase the weight of the materials to 17 oz. You could use 15 oz of wax and 1 oz of fragrance to bring it to a 6.25% fragrance load if you'd like though! This calculation does not leave any room for error though and can be more difficult for larger batches.
Glad you liked it! Whether you make 4 candles or 6, if the fragrance load is the same, it will not change the strength of the candles themselves. Some factors that can influence the scent throw of a candle though, are these: The fragrance load. Typically, a higher fragrance load will result in a stronger smelling candle. You'll just want to be sure not to go over the max load for your wax. The size and shape of your containers. Jars with wide openings can scent a larger room than containers with small openings. Cure time. Scent usually improves over time so we'd recommend curing your candles for at least 3-5 days before burning, but up to 2 weeks can be better! The type of wax. Soy is a great wax but paraffin or a paraffin blend can often throw scent more easily than soy alone. You may want to test a few different waxes or blends if you are not loving the throw of the one you are using now. The wick. You'll also want to make sure the wick is burning properly in the candle as this will get a good melt pool and distribute scent evenly. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any questions!
@@candlescience thank you very much for your reply. My goal is to have the smelliest, long lasting candle around. I'll do more research to figure out how to do that. Thank you thank you.
Exactly my basic math, but didn't work once I tried to do multiple candles at once!! I did two batches of 8.5oz x 3= 25.5 (1.59lbs on my scale), tried % (2.04) and 10% (2.25) fo and I end up with only 2 full and half of the third jar! So basically wasted jars and wax. Please advise! I did 20 single candles with this calculation and fo and they are perfect...
I get so confused with this because the candle calculator app says for that amount it would need about 2.8oz of fo and also this formula i found (Net weight)\(100%)+(FO %) =wax weight needed Net weight-wax weight needed=FO needed Is this not a correct formula??
We've found that the easiest formula to use, especially for larger batches, will be: (oz of wax using) x (% of fragrance oil you want to use) = (oz of fragrance oil needed) This formula can sometimes leave a little bit of wax leftover but it can be helpful if there are any sink holes or spills along the way. You may be able to use the formula you've listed but it is likely that there will be no extra material at all and the best way of ensuring accuracy would be to pour each candle on a scale. Without any wax leftover, there is less room for error when pouring to the fill level of your jars.
The math is definitely the least fun part of the process! If you ever have any questions or concerns though, please feel free to reach out and we'd be happy to help!
Like for a blend of fragrances? For a 50/50 blend, for example, you would take the total amount of fragrance oil you'll be using and divide it in half. If you're using 8 oz of fragrance oil, a 50/50 blend of two fragrances would be 4 oz of one and 4 oz of the other to make the 8 oz total. You can do this with other ratios as well!
So we need to subtract 51 from 3.06 in order to get the right amount wax. Cause if we add the FO to 51, Then we get 54oz as the total and that’s more? Sorry I’m so confused cause so may people have different methods
No worries! There are a few different methods to use but the one we like best can result in some extra wax and fragrance being left over. This can be helpful when filling jars that do not have a clear fill line, if there are any spills, or if you need a second pour for any surface issues. There is a more exact calculation but this does not leave any wiggle room and we'd recommend pouring into your jars on a tared out scale to ensure that you are filling each jar with the same amount of wax. If you'd like to try this equation it is this: Wax Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight / (FO Percentage +1) FO Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight - Wax Weight Needed
I was looking at the beeswax on the site, but the fragrance load isn't listed under the properties. Is it listed somewhere else or am I just missing it?
Beeswax can be a little tricky to fragrance as it usually has its own natural, earthy, honey-like aroma. Some fragrances do much better than others, florals tend to perform the best in beeswax. We highly recommend staying away from bakery fragrances in beeswax, as the mix of its natural aroma and bakery scents is usually...not very pleasant. Start experimenting with a 6% - 10% fragrance load.
Just a quick question. I usually then take the total fragrance needed and subtract it from my wax amount so that I don't have access wax while pouring. Is this incorrect to do?
We would caution that doing this does shift your fragrance load, since you will now have a higher percentage of fragrance to wax. Just be careful that you aren't exceeding the maximum amount of fragrance that the wax can hold.
If you are using a CandleScience fragrance oil but there is no percentage listed on the label, the product page for that scent should have that information on it! Typically, the amount safe to use in candles will be from 3-10% but each wax can hold a different max amount of oil. We usually recommend starting with a 6% fragrance load and adjusting from there based on your preference and how much oil your wax can hold.
For the best results in candle making, we recommend measuring out all the materials (wax, fragrance, dye, additives) by weight. We do list the fluid ounces our containers hold on the product pages, but the wax weight is how much wax it will hold compared to water, as it can vary. It's usually easier to measure out the dry or solid wax but because the measurements are by weight and not volume, the weight of the solid wax and the wax when it is melted will be the same.
So if my Max fragrance load for my soy wax is 10%, if I multiply it by 0.08 will that give me a stronger scent? Why do you recommend 6%? Do the percentages mean a higher scent? Or do the F.O have percentages to them. So confused.
Hi! If your wax's max fragrance load is 10% we would not recommend going over that amount. Using too much fragrance oil can actually cause curing and burning issues in the candle. The % is calculated per pound of wax. A 10% fragrance load for 1 lb of wax, for example, would be 1.6 oz of fragrance oil. (16 oz of wax x 0.10 = 1.6 oz of fragrance oil) Some more helpful information can be found here as well: support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/201389120-How-do-I-calculate-the-amount-of-fragrance-oil-I-need- We recommend starting with a 6% fragrance load to see if you like the strength of the hot throw. You can typically add more based on your preference and wax. Higher percentages do usually provide a stronger scent but you may be happy with the throw of the candle at lower percentages as well.
Hello could you help me please so I made a (16 oz) candle and I poured 308 grams of wax into the jar which was perfect. But my question is since my jar just holds 308 grams of wax how do I go by calculating it to find how much fragrance I need? And if I wanted to make to make three 16 oz jars how do I calculate that including the fragrance oil please help me break it down in depth? I want to use 12 percent of fragrance oil.
Happy to help! If the jar you are using holds 308 grams of wax, for three candles you would need 924 grams of wax: (308 x 3 = 924). You would then multiply 924 by the fragrance percentage you'll be using, in this case 12%: (924 x 0.12 = 110.88). You could use 110 grams of fragrance for your batch of three candles. You could also convert the grams to ounces using a converter online if you wanted but as long as you keep your measurement units the same, you should be just fine!
@@candlescience Thank you so much. 🤗 So in order to get 0.12 did you divide by 100? And if I just wanted to make one candle with 12% fragrance would I just do 308 multiped by 0.12 on the calculator it says 36.96 would it just be 36 grams?
Correct! To get the decimal version of the percentage you'd like to use, just divide by 100. For one candle, you could use the same equation and you'd get 36.96 grams of fragrance oil. You can sometimes round up but 12% is usually on the higher side of fragrance loads for most waxes so the 36 grams should be enough for a strong scent throw if your wax can handle that amount.
@@candlescience Hello I need help with coming up with the cost of how much to sell my candles for can you please help me from start to finish because I dont know where to begin and how to do it?
There is some usage information on the fragrance bottles, yes! Most fragrance suggestions for candles falls between 6-10% but this can depend on the wax you'll be using. For using fragrance oil in soaps and lotions though, we would recommend looking at the individual product page as the amount to use can be different for each scent. We also list IFRA documents on each fragrance so you can see the maximum amount safe to use for different bath and body products as well! Using a scale to weigh your materials will be the most accurate way of determining how much of each ingredient to use.
I have a question about the math part of this I have 1 oz bottle Of oil and I’m not sure😮 what to use to measure My oil prevent. In a 1oz bottle Say I only need %6 oil in the wax how do I know what 6% is in the 1oz bottle ???😊
Happy to help! A 6% fragrance load in a candle will mean that out of the wax and fragrance combination, 6% of that will be fragrance oil. So the 6% will change based on how much wax you are using. If your jar holds 8 oz of wax, for example, and you want to use a 6% fragrance load, you would need 0.48 oz of fragrance oil. You could then just weigh that amount out on your scale. This is a helpful equation: (oz of wax using) x (% of fragrance oil you want to use) = (oz of fragrance oil needed) For this example, the equation would look like this: 8 x 0.06 = 0.48 I hope this helps but if you have any questions at all please just let me know!
How do we factor in the calculation that 16 oz of Wax melted yields 20 fluid oz? I'm specifically using soy wax. And then how to calculate the volume the FO adds. In your example, these would turn out to be 9 oz candles with the FO but what if you needed the 8.5 oz to be the maximum? So much to consider 🤯 lol
Remember that everything is done by weight with candle making. It's going to get VERY tricky and frustrating if you are concerned with the volume of the fragrance oil. Every fragrance oil (and wax) has a different density/volume, which is why we always measure by weight. When you're labeling your candles, it is only the net weight that needs to be noted (in both ounces and grams. If you need to have a precise, exact 8.5oz (by weight) candle, we'd recommend pouring with each jar on a scale. Tare the weight of the jar, then pour until you reach 8.5oz.
So u mean 1 pound of wax for 1 oz. of FO. That means: 1 pound = 16 oz. so for 16 oz of soy wax it will be added 1 oz. of FO? Well it will also depends on what type of wax it will be used correct so I assume that here u are talking about soy wax, correct? So for 8 oz. it will be added.05 FO is that right?
Different waxes can have different maximum fragrance loads, correct! Many can handle between 6% and 10% but some may hold less. 1 oz of fragrance oil per 1 lb or 16 oz of wax is about a 6% fragrance load. If you will be using a 6% load for 8 oz of wax, you would need 0.48 ox of fragrance but this can definitely be rounded up to 0.5 oz. To calculate how much fragrance you will need for a particular batch of candles, you can multiply the fragrance % you'd like to use by the total number of wax you'll be using: (fragrance %) x (oz of wax) = total oz of fragrance
@@candlescience so I measure my cup deducted the weight and star pouring the oil but the scale didn’t even move why was that happening? Should I place the melted wax hot pouring in the scale and trow the oil?
You can calculate exactly how much wax and fragrance you'll need for a batch of candles by first calculating the total ounces you'll need for the batch, then calculating how many ounces of fragrance you'll need for the fragrance load you'll be using, and then subtracting the total ounces of fragrance from the total ounces of wax. This will leave you with only enough wax and fragrance to fill the jars to the same level each time so it will be best practice to fill each jar on a scale. If there are any spills or some jars are over or under-filled, you may run out of wax.
You could use that calculation, yes! It will not leave you with any extra wax though so you may need to pour the candles directly on a scale to make sure each gets the same amount of wax for your batch. It can be tricky if you need to fill in sink holes or if any wax is spilled but the basic equation would be this: Wax Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight / (FO Percentage +1) FO Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight - Wax Weight Needed
I want to make a few small candles each with a difference fragrance. I'd like to melt all the wax at one time, fill the jars then add the different fragrances. Is this impossible? I don't want 3 large unusable candles I've messed up but can live with 3 I've messed up. Help me please
For fragrance to bind well to wax we recommend adding it at 185°F. The recommended pouring temp of your wax may be lower. Adding fragrance at too low of a temp and pouring wax at too high of a temp could cause separate issues. If you're using paraffin that has a higher pour temp, around 170-180° F, technically you could try this method but it won't be ideal. I'm actually having a similar issue at the moment where I need to make a lot of smaller candles with different scents. I'd recommend melting your wax in a large batch, holding at 185°F and then pouring it into a smaller pouring pitcher to add your fragrance and then pour into the candle from there. This way, you'll have all your wax and will only need to wipe out the small pitcher a few times.
Decide on the fragrance load you'd like to work with. 464 can hold a maximum of 10% fragrance, typical usages are anywhere between 6-10%. Once you know the percentage you'd like to use, you can follow the steps in this video to figure out how much fragrance you need.
If you weigh out 51 oz of solid wax, you will still have 51 oz of melted wax by weight, it will just look like less volumetrically. Measuring your materials by weight and not volume will be the best way to get the most accurate results.
This was by far the easiest, simplest explanation that I have seen this far, and I'm half asleep....LoL. Thank you so much!
yessssssssssssssssss
This was a lifesaver. They always told me in elemenmtary school that I'd need math later in life, I didn't listen! Lol.
Lol who would of known lol
guuuuurl i wanna hug you. I hated math and I said as a young gurl.Im never going to get a job that consist of MATH.. I should have listened. Cause I've been putting Siri to WORK LOL LOL.. I never thought I needed to use math. This video was my BREAKTHROUGH, and when I read your messages, I started cracking up laughing cause all through this video everything you wrote, I said to myself lol lol Good luck Sis
DITTO, learning it how for sure LOL
Same here! I thought making candles you just melt the type of wax you want and dump in fragrance. Boy was I wrong! This was by far the easiest to understand!
Sure didn't lol
Your videos have always been a huge help, but I'm not sure that I completely agree on this one. Here's why:
To make your candles, you don't need 51 oz of wax, you actually need 51 oz of wax and FO mixture. By your formula, you just made 51 oz of wax + 3.06 oz of FO for a total mixture of 54.06 oz. This results in an excess waste of 3.06 oz. Not much in this example of a small batch, but but it could definitely add up over larger quantities.
So, I think the right formula assuming the same 6% FL would be:
1. Wax Weight: Total Weight/(1 + FL)
Using this example: 51/(1+.06) = 51/1.06 = 48.11 oz
2. Fragrance Weight: Total Weight - Wax Weight
Using this example: 51 - 48.11 = 2.89 oz
3. We have now made exactly what we needed: 48.11 + 2.89 = 51 oz (round all numbers as appropriate for your scale)
Please feel free to correct me if I made a mistake on this. Thanks so much for all of your incredibly helpful videos!
Hi Wes! You are not incorrect, if you want to be extremely precise with your measurements and have no wax leftover. But this can get unnecessarily complicated, both in doing and in explaining. We find this method is the simplest way for most people and circumstances to still get great results without giving themselves a headache. 🙂
Thank u
@@candlescience but your math is still wrong and as such your video is misleading. It would be helpful if you disclosed up front in the video that you would end up with an excess 3 ounces of wax. Your math gives me excess material which is a waste in resources and adds up very quickly. For a video called "Candle making math" I was expecting to get some more precision.
Thank you Wes for an accurate breakdown of this formula.
Thank you for this. I am new to making candles and this is very helpful. The only question I had was why is it (1+ FL)? Is it always going to be 1?
I'm horrible with math and you broke it down into an easy equation. Thank you!
SO glad I found this video even if it's years later, this was the simplest and easiest explanation for me. You explain it so clearly and I enjoyed the step by step, thanks !!
Always happy to help!
This was so informative and easy to understand.
I've already decided that you would be my candle instructor's and supplier.
I've received my first batch of fragrance oils
Glad it was helpful and hope you enjoy your first batch of scents!
Perfect timing. Simple and easy explanation. Thank you!
THANK YOU!! This was the easiest example I have seen of how to measure of the amount of fragrance oil to use with candle wax!
We're so glad it was helpful!
Sorry, I just watched your video and I'm a bit confused. If you use 3.06oz FO and 52oz wax that is a total of 55.06oz of FO/Wax solution which when divided into 6 equal parts for each container is 9.01oz and greater than the fill capacity of 8.5oz. The only way to keep the fill capacity of 8.5oz would be to subtract the weight of the FO (3.06oz) from the weight of the wax (51oz) for a net weight in wax of 47.94oz. Then weight of wax 47.94oz plus weight of FO 3.06oz would equal 51oz and when divided by 6 for candles would be 8.50oz per candle. And that means that 3.06oz will no longer be 6% of a wax weight of 47.94oz.
This is my point exactly. The math ain’t mathing 😂
I had so much wax left over when i tried to do this formula ! It didn’t add up for-sure
Yeah, he is off. He will have left over material. Needs to be 48 and 3. He was right about the 1oz per lb being 6% though.
Interesting that you said this. I think the math may be a tad bit off. I have 10 oz jars and my vendor recommended 7.76 oz wax or 220 grams. I'm thinking the 8.5 oz may be if measuring the wax as flakes vs liquid. When I weighed my 7.76 oz in flake form, I ended up short. I'm going to try melting the wax and then measuring at 7.76 oz on a scale to see if that will help. Any suggestions on this @candlescience? Should this be weighed on a scale in liquid (not fl oz) form or flake form?
@@amandarayewilkinsErica from Memory Box Candle Co or Wade from Black Tie Barns has excellent TH-cam videos that will help with your Candle Math so you always have the right amount for your containers. Either one explains it way better than I ever could.
Thank so you much. This is the easiest and most informative video i’ve watched for beginner candle making. The math was making my head hurt and you broke it down perfectly.
Glad it was helpful! If you ever have any questions, please just let us know!
The best explanation yet to find!! Thank you!!
Took me ages to find the information with regarding correct measurements. Thank you 🙏🏻
By far the easiest video to understand thus far. Thank you.
We're so glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much! That was a straight forward easy explanation.
We're so glad it helped! If you ever have any questions during the making process or run into any issues, just let us know and we'd be happy to assist!
The best and easiest explanation!!!
Glad it helped!
This was a lifesaver, I wish you'd been my maths teacher!
Math is definitely the least fun part of the process, we're glad we could help!
Omg I’ve been watching 10-15 minute videos trying to figure this crazy stuff out thank you so much !!!!
We're so glad it helped!
This was so easy to understand and very informative as well 😭😭😭
I'm so glad it was helpful!
this is the simpliest explanation I have seen. thank you
Thank you for making this simple!
Very happy to help! Math is the least fun part of the process.
Best video out there! Thanks dude!
We're always happy to help!
Amazing video very clear to understand can't wait to practice now thankyou
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for this! You broke it down perfectly!
Always happy to help!
The best and most simplest equation I’ve come across! Thanks so much for sharing!!
So does that hypothetical 51oz become 54.06 with the oil?
Or is that 51 total ie
47.94 oz wax + 3.06 oils?
I was thinking this exactly when I watched the video. Would be great to get an answer on this!
I believe total should have been 51oz so he should have taken the 3.06oz from the wax to 47.94
@@nancywisniewski8519 there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows.
8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage)
8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight)
8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil)
So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil.
CHECK
0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil
7.27+.73= 8oz
@@ruckzb9196 there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows.
8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage)
8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight)
8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil)
So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil.
CHECK
0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil
7.27+.73= 8oz
Thats the easiest method. Thank you
This videos are so helpful for a beginner!
We're so glad!
This video was amazing so simple thanks so much !!!! Team work make the dream work
this was the easiest video I have found thus far, fabulous job explaining it to someone like me
@CandleScience If I add the 3.06 oz of fragrance to the 51 oz of wax, than I will have 53.06 oz of fragranced wax. Wouldn't that be more than what I would need to fill the containers?
It will be a little over, yes, but in practice you may not have any leftover depending on how high you fill the containers.
there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows.
8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage)
8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight)
8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil)
So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil.
CHECK
0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil
7.27+.73= 8oz
Vc
Excellent video! Very clear and concise. Thanks for sharing!
The doctor sharing, I understand the formula, my question. Is do you civic the 51oz by 20? Some videos and research I have done is you multiply your container is by hard (as you said),then you take that answer and divide by 20. A!so for fragrance, I read you multiply number of oz by 15, and that tells you how much fragrance to use. Please clarify. Thanks again.
The one thing i don't understand is where we are leaving room for the fragrance oils. It sounds like the added weight of the FOs will overfill the jars past the fill line, since that's the weight you used for the calculation.
Generally, this is not something you need to worry about and can over-complicate the process. With a typical fill line you will have plenty of room to accommodate the addition of the fragrance.
You are 100% correct, the formula he is doing is incorrect. Shockingly so many of these candlemakers do not show the correct formula. I think many of them know it’s not 100% accurate but are fearful to try and explain the math. Here is a link to probably one of the best videos explaining it and showing you how to do it correctly (I am in no way affiliated with this you tuber) th-cam.com/video/VhjipDG6avo/w-d-xo.html
@@wickedwinnie Thanks! I actually came across this youtuber a bit ago and was able to use her formula. There's definitely alot of confusion out there lol. I know alot of folks don't care about the excess, but i definitely do😅
Great video! Thank you for making it so clear
We're so glad it was helpful! If you ever have any questions, just let us know!
With this example will you have leftover wax? I’ve seen several examples where they subtract the FO % from the wax weight.
You may have a bit of leftover wax with this method yes, but it can come in handy to have if you have any sinkholes or imperfections and need a second pour. You can absolutely calculate exactly how much wax and fragrance you will need for a batch of candles using another method but it leaves less room for error. For example, the jars will likely need to be filled on a scale and if there are any spills, there will not be any wax left to complete the entire batch.
Thank You!!!! So helpful!!!
Always happy to help!
Thank you for sharing. 😊👍 Very helpful
We're always happy to help!
Would you be able to show how you weigh the wax and the fragrance oil? Not sure how to do that in ounces since it is recommended to measure in grams. Thank you
To measure out the materials, we set our scale to ounces, place a container on the scale, tare it to 0, and pour in the material to the desired amount. This will give you ounces in weight, not fluid ounces. You could absolutely measure in grams instead just be sure to use grams for all of the materials for accuracy!
This was so easy. Thank you
Glad it helped!
Thanks. This is very helpful. I was going to use a wax calculators. Does your formula or a wax calculator take into consideration the difference between water and wax weight? Wax being. Lighter and the whole volume thing?
So glad it helps! Because all of the ingredients will be measured by weight, you won't need to calculate any of the materials volumetrically. There is typically a difference between the fluid measurement of a container, or how much water it will hold, and the wax weight of that container, or how much wax it can hold. To make this step easier, we list both the fluid volume as well as the wax weight for all of the jars we carry. You can just use the wax weight in your calculations for the most accurate results! This tutorial also touches a bit on the water and wax weight of a container: www.candlescience.com/learning/how-to-make-enamel-mug-candles
This is so helpful. Thanks!!!!
Very happy to help! If you ever have any questions, just let us know!
If you need a total of 51oz and you use the full 51oz and then add the 3.06oz of FO. Won't you then be left with more wax than you need ( 51+3.06=54.06) isn't there a way to make the exact amount that is needed (in this case it's 51oz) without having any leftover wax?
You will have a bit left over, yes! Some advantages to this are that you'll have some left to fix any flaws that might show in the candles and will have some wiggle room for spills or uneven filling. This is the easiest method but there are ways to calculate the exact amount of wax as well! If you will not have any to spare and are pouring into jars with an ambiguous fill line though, you may need to pour the wax into each jar on a tared out scale to make sure each has the same amount of wax. You can calculate the exact amount needed like this:
Wax Needed = Total Combined Weight / (1 + FO Percentage)
FO Needed = Wax Needed x (Fragrance Percentage)
For example, the calculations for a 16 oz candle at 9% fragrance load would look like this:
16/1.09 = 14.68 This is how much wax you'll need
14.68 x 0.09 = 1.32 This is how much fragrance you'll need
So 14.68 + 1.32 = 16 oz, which is the total wax weight of the container.
This method is a bit more involved but might be worth trying for larger batches! If you have any questions, please just ask and I'd be happy to help!
@@candlescience thank you this helps out a lot
Thank you for this!
So after adding oil total the total oz would be 54.06 after filling your 6 jars at 8.5 oz you are left wit 3.06 which was the total of the oil you added so we suppose to do wit that trash it I’m jus confused
This is exaclty what I was thinking> There should be an equation that does not give you extra wax. You dont want to waste it if youre running a business.
there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows.
8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage)
8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight)
8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil)
So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil.
CHECK
0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil
7.27+.73= 8oz
@@ellesiegmund2640 there is an equation which is more accurate than the one in this video. I will use an 8oz candle for this example and 10% FO. It is as follows.
8oz. / (100+Fragrance oil percentage)
8oz. / (110%)= 7.27oz (wax weight)
8oz. - 7.27oz= 0.73oz (Fragrance oil)
So for an 8oz candle you will need 7.27oz of wax and .73oz of fragrance oil.
CHECK
0.73/7.27=0.10 or 10% fragrance oil
7.27+.73= 8oz
I was stressing about this and youved made it simple as my jars are 20cl or 30cl
We're so glad it helped!
This was so helpful. My question is are we determining the wax melted or before melting? For example, is the 51oz of wax in this example melted or not?
51oz of wax will always weigh 51oz, no matter if you are measuring the flakes or the melted wax. We recommend weighing the wax flakes prior to melting, it's much easier to handle. 🙂
@@candlescience Thank you so much. I wasn't sure if there is a variance in the flakes vs the melted wax. I thought maybe the wax is heavier as flakes which give a variance in numbers. Thanks again.
Thank you this helps alot! 👍😃
I'm so glad!
Depending on what type of wax your using, the fragrance oil distribution changes. What types of waxes does this apply to? I am currently using container wax.
Hi! Every wax has a maximum amount of fragrance it can hold. Often this is 10% fragrance, but it varies wax to wax. Make sure to check the manufacturer or supplier recommendations for the specific wax you're using.
I'm confused I have 30cl candle jars want to half fill the jar so how much wax in ounces and how much fragrance I want to use 10%
I found a scented oil, Brand Ananya. Can that be used in making a candle? I've never made a candle, but recently got a kit to make one. Any information is greatly appreciated.
I'm not familiar with the brand so unfortunately, I'm not able to provide instructions for use in candles, I'm so sorry! If it is a perfume, it will likely not be appropriate for candlemaking. If it is a fragrance oil, there is a better chance it can be used but I would advise using it according to the instructions and not using more than your wax can hold.
Where would I find the website at what is the website can you please give it to me.
Hi! The site is www.candlescience.com!
So you aren't subtracting fragrance oils from the over all amount of wax in jar. So the formula I have been using for these jars in 241g multiple by .075= 18.075 fragrance oil. Then I have been taking 241g and subtracting the fragrance oil percentage. This would look like 241g -18.08g fo=222.92 grams of wax and 18.08g of fragrance oil per one straight sized libby jar with fill line of 8.5 ounces (same jar you are using). Am I not supposed to subtract at the end?
You absolutely can! This way is just a bit more complicated and does not leave any extra wax but will usually give you the exact wax weight needed to fill a container. The equation we recommend will have a bit of wax and fragrance left over. This can come in handy if you are making larger batches and not filling each vessel on a scale, or if there are any spills or candles that need a second pour. As long as you're not overloading the wax with fragrance and you are happy with the results, no need to change the measurements you've been using!
Does this apply to both fragrance oil and essential oil? Or does FO refer to any kind of oil being used? I only work with EO
The calculation should work for EO as well! Just be sure to check the usage amounts for the oils and waxes you'll be working with.
do i also use this formula when calculating how much essential oil to use?
Yep! You'll just want to be sure to double check the recommended usage amounts of the essential oils and be sure you don't use more than the max fragrance load your wax allows for.
Thank you so much for this
Happy to help!
Sir please tell about the pouring temperature
The recommended pouring temperature for your candles will depend mainly on the type of wax you'll be using as it can vary from wax to wax. It can also change depending on your environmental temp or how cool your containers might be. The usual recommended pouring temperature for 464, for example, is 135°F but I usually see better results pouring around 150°F in my workspace.
Great video. 👍
How do i get the wax weight if another website doesnt list it. Do i just fill the jar with water and weight in oz?
You can use the water weight, yes! The measurement might not be exact but it will be close enough to get a good idea of how much wax you'll need. The most accurate way would be to place your jar on a tared out scale and pour melted wax to your desired fill level. The number on the scale would then be your wax weight.
Very helpful
We're so glad!
If the candle I am making is a 12oz jar but it only has a fill weight of say 9 oz, on my label would I refer to this jar as a 9 oz candle or a 12oz candle?
Great question! Labeling by the wax weight is the best and most accurate way of letting the customer know just how much candle they are actually getting. In this case, I'd label the candle as the 9 oz.
I’m not very good at maths but can u tell me how much essential or fragrance oil do I need for 4oz in 6 tin jars? Please help.
Hi! This will depend on the fragrance load you will be using. Each wax can have a different maximum fragrance load and we'd recommend not using more than the wax recommends. If you'd like to let us know what fragrance % you'd like to use, we'd be happy to calculate how much fragrance you'd need for six 4oz tins! This equation can also be helpful:
(oz of wax using) x (% of fragrance oil you want to use) = (oz of fragrance oil needed)
@@candlescience well I don’t know how much I want but what I do want the candle scent should be diffusing… so that is most important for me
@@candlescience I use your equation but still I have made little leftover of candle so that my mistake. Hopefully it’s will be right next time!
There may still be a bit of extra wax left over in some cases, but there shouldn't be too much. If there is a lot of wax left over each time, you could try adjusting your recipe or reach out to support@candlescience.com with the materials you're using and we'd be happy to see if we can help as well!
This may be a foolish question, but, do I have to weigh my wax when its solid or melted?
Not at all, it's one we get quite a bit! 🙂 A pound of dry wax will still weigh a pound once it's melted--it's only the volume that changes. It's much easier to weigh prior to melting.
@@candlescience hello, how do we calculate how much dry wax we need since the volume changes? For example, if I’m making four 4oz candles, melting 16oz of dry wax isn’t enough to get to my fill lines. Thanks in advance
Hello how would i calculate this if the jars I am using doesn't specify the wax weight? how will i figure that out
The most accurate way would be to place your empty jar on a scale, tare it out, and pour in melted wax until you reach your desired fill level. The number on the scale will be the wax weight for that jar! You could also estimate by using the water weight of the jar but it may be a little bit off. An example of that can be seen in this tutorial: www.candlescience.com/learning/how-to-make-enamel-mug-candles/
Where did you get your fragrance oil from the big bottle
We sell fragrance oils in 1 oz, 4 oz, 16 oz, and 5 lb sizes. The large bottle here is a 16 oz and they can be found on the website under the fragrance you are interested in!
Does the fragrance oil added to the melted wax change the overall wax weight?
Technically, yes! Adding 1 oz of fragrance to 16 oz of wax will increase the weight of the materials to 17 oz. You could use 15 oz of wax and 1 oz of fragrance to bring it to a 6.25% fragrance load if you'd like though! This calculation does not leave any room for error though and can be more difficult for larger batches.
@@candlescience thank you so much!
this is very helpful thank young much
Very helpful thanks
Very glad it helped!
Do you have one for soap also
AWESOME video. Question, I want my candle to smell stronger. If I make 4 candles instead of 6, can that be accomplished? Thank you in advance 🙂
Glad you liked it! Whether you make 4 candles or 6, if the fragrance load is the same, it will not change the strength of the candles themselves. Some factors that can influence the scent throw of a candle though, are these:
The fragrance load. Typically, a higher fragrance load will result in a stronger smelling candle. You'll just want to be sure not to go over the max load for your wax.
The size and shape of your containers. Jars with wide openings can scent a larger room than containers with small openings.
Cure time. Scent usually improves over time so we'd recommend curing your candles for at least 3-5 days before burning, but up to 2 weeks can be better!
The type of wax. Soy is a great wax but paraffin or a paraffin blend can often throw scent more easily than soy alone. You may want to test a few different waxes or blends if you are not loving the throw of the one you are using now.
The wick. You'll also want to make sure the wick is burning properly in the candle as this will get a good melt pool and distribute scent evenly.
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any questions!
@@candlescience thank you very much for your reply. My goal is to have the smelliest, long lasting candle around. I'll do more research to figure out how to do that. Thank you thank you.
Happy to help! If anything else pops up while you're testing, just let us know!
can I add the fragrance to existing candles that are lit and melting
I wouldn't recommend this, no. The fragrance oil needs to bind to the wax, otherwise it could potentially catch fire.
Thank you so much. Very helpful.X
Exactly my basic math, but didn't work once I tried to do multiple candles at once!! I did two batches of 8.5oz x 3= 25.5 (1.59lbs on my scale), tried % (2.04) and 10% (2.25) fo and I end up with only 2 full and half of the third jar! So basically wasted jars and wax. Please advise! I did 20 single candles with this calculation and fo and they are perfect...
Thank you 🙏
Always happy to help!
I get so confused with this because the candle calculator app says for that amount it would need about 2.8oz of fo and also this formula i found
(Net weight)\(100%)+(FO %) =wax weight needed
Net weight-wax weight needed=FO needed
Is this not a correct formula??
We've found that the easiest formula to use, especially for larger batches, will be:
(oz of wax using) x (% of fragrance oil you want to use) = (oz of fragrance oil needed)
This formula can sometimes leave a little bit of wax leftover but it can be helpful if there are any sink holes or spills along the way. You may be able to use the formula you've listed but it is likely that there will be no extra material at all and the best way of ensuring accuracy would be to pour each candle on a scale. Without any wax leftover, there is less room for error when pouring to the fill level of your jars.
Thanks for help. I really noob in math but I understand as well 😀
The math is definitely the least fun part of the process! If you ever have any questions or concerns though, please feel free to reach out and we'd be happy to help!
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Thank you.
How do you calculate FO if mixing more than one fragrance?
Like for a blend of fragrances? For a 50/50 blend, for example, you would take the total amount of fragrance oil you'll be using and divide it in half. If you're using 8 oz of fragrance oil, a 50/50 blend of two fragrances would be 4 oz of one and 4 oz of the other to make the 8 oz total. You can do this with other ratios as well!
@@candlescience thank u for responding
So we need to subtract 51 from 3.06 in order to get the right amount wax. Cause if we add the FO to 51, Then we get 54oz as the total and that’s more? Sorry I’m so confused cause so may people have different methods
No worries! There are a few different methods to use but the one we like best can result in some extra wax and fragrance being left over. This can be helpful when filling jars that do not have a clear fill line, if there are any spills, or if you need a second pour for any surface issues. There is a more exact calculation but this does not leave any wiggle room and we'd recommend pouring into your jars on a tared out scale to ensure that you are filling each jar with the same amount of wax. If you'd like to try this equation it is this:
Wax Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight / (FO Percentage +1)
FO Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight - Wax Weight Needed
@@candlescienceoh that's confusing. I will settle for the extra wax! Lol
I was looking at the beeswax on the site, but the fragrance load isn't listed under the properties. Is it listed somewhere else or am I just missing it?
Beeswax can be a little tricky to fragrance as it usually has its own natural, earthy, honey-like aroma. Some fragrances do much better than others, florals tend to perform the best in beeswax. We highly recommend staying away from bakery fragrances in beeswax, as the mix of its natural aroma and bakery scents is usually...not very pleasant. Start experimenting with a 6% - 10% fragrance load.
Very helpful thanks for sharing
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Just a quick question. I usually then take the total fragrance needed and subtract it from my wax amount so that I don't have access wax while pouring. Is this incorrect to do?
We would caution that doing this does shift your fragrance load, since you will now have a higher percentage of fragrance to wax. Just be careful that you aren't exceeding the maximum amount of fragrance that the wax can hold.
@@candlescience can I remelt the wax if I have a fragrance overload too add more wax?
My fragrance oil label has no percentage on it. How do i proceed?
If you are using a CandleScience fragrance oil but there is no percentage listed on the label, the product page for that scent should have that information on it! Typically, the amount safe to use in candles will be from 3-10% but each wax can hold a different max amount of oil. We usually recommend starting with a 6% fragrance load and adjusting from there based on your preference and how much oil your wax can hold.
only point of confusion: when you refer to wax - do you mean melted or solid wax?
For the best results in candle making, we recommend measuring out all the materials (wax, fragrance, dye, additives) by weight. We do list the fluid ounces our containers hold on the product pages, but the wax weight is how much wax it will hold compared to water, as it can vary. It's usually easier to measure out the dry or solid wax but because the measurements are by weight and not volume, the weight of the solid wax and the wax when it is melted will be the same.
So if my Max fragrance load for my soy wax is 10%, if I multiply it by 0.08 will that give me a stronger scent? Why do you recommend 6%? Do the percentages mean a higher scent? Or do the F.O have percentages to them. So confused.
Hi! If your wax's max fragrance load is 10% we would not recommend going over that amount. Using too much fragrance oil can actually cause curing and burning issues in the candle. The % is calculated per pound of wax. A 10% fragrance load for 1 lb of wax, for example, would be 1.6 oz of fragrance oil. (16 oz of wax x 0.10 = 1.6 oz of fragrance oil)
Some more helpful information can be found here as well: support.candlescience.com/hc/en-us/articles/201389120-How-do-I-calculate-the-amount-of-fragrance-oil-I-need-
We recommend starting with a 6% fragrance load to see if you like the strength of the hot throw. You can typically add more based on your preference and wax. Higher percentages do usually provide a stronger scent but you may be happy with the throw of the candle at lower percentages as well.
@@candlescience thank you!
Thank you
We're very happy to help! If you ever have any questions, please just let us know!
Hello could you help me please so I made a (16 oz) candle and I poured 308 grams of wax into the jar which was perfect. But my question is since my jar just holds 308 grams of wax how do I go by calculating it to find how much fragrance I need? And if I wanted to make to make three 16 oz jars how do I calculate that including the fragrance oil please help me break it down in depth? I want to use 12 percent of fragrance oil.
Happy to help! If the jar you are using holds 308 grams of wax, for three candles you would need 924 grams of wax: (308 x 3 = 924). You would then multiply 924 by the fragrance percentage you'll be using, in this case 12%: (924 x 0.12 = 110.88). You could use 110 grams of fragrance for your batch of three candles. You could also convert the grams to ounces using a converter online if you wanted but as long as you keep your measurement units the same, you should be just fine!
@@candlescience Thank you so much. 🤗 So in order to get 0.12 did you divide by 100? And if I just wanted to make one candle with 12% fragrance would I just do 308 multiped by 0.12 on the calculator it says 36.96 would it just be 36 grams?
Correct! To get the decimal version of the percentage you'd like to use, just divide by 100. For one candle, you could use the same equation and you'd get 36.96 grams of fragrance oil. You can sometimes round up but 12% is usually on the higher side of fragrance loads for most waxes so the 36 grams should be enough for a strong scent throw if your wax can handle that amount.
@@candlescience ok thank you again this was alot of help
@@candlescience Hello I need help with coming up with the cost of how much to sell my candles for can you please help me from start to finish because I dont know where to begin and how to do it?
Do fragrance bottles have the percentages on them? How exactly do you know ??
There is some usage information on the fragrance bottles, yes! Most fragrance suggestions for candles falls between 6-10% but this can depend on the wax you'll be using. For using fragrance oil in soaps and lotions though, we would recommend looking at the individual product page as the amount to use can be different for each scent. We also list IFRA documents on each fragrance so you can see the maximum amount safe to use for different bath and body products as well! Using a scale to weigh your materials will be the most accurate way of determining how much of each ingredient to use.
thank you so much
Happy to help!
What if I use essential oils? Is it the same?
I have a question about the math part of this I have 1 oz bottle
Of oil and I’m not sure😮 what to use to measure
My oil prevent. In a 1oz bottle
Say I only need %6 oil in the wax how do
I know what 6% is in the 1oz bottle ???😊
Happy to help! A 6% fragrance load in a candle will mean that out of the wax and fragrance combination, 6% of that will be fragrance oil. So the 6% will change based on how much wax you are using. If your jar holds 8 oz of wax, for example, and you want to use a 6% fragrance load, you would need 0.48 oz of fragrance oil. You could then just weigh that amount out on your scale.
This is a helpful equation: (oz of wax using) x (% of fragrance oil you want to use) = (oz of fragrance oil needed)
For this example, the equation would look like this: 8 x 0.06 = 0.48
I hope this helps but if you have any questions at all please just let me know!
How do we factor in the calculation that 16 oz of Wax melted yields 20 fluid oz? I'm specifically using soy wax. And then how to calculate the volume the FO adds. In your example, these would turn out to be 9 oz candles with the FO but what if you needed the 8.5 oz to be the maximum? So much to consider 🤯 lol
Remember that everything is done by weight with candle making. It's going to get VERY tricky and frustrating if you are concerned with the volume of the fragrance oil. Every fragrance oil (and wax) has a different density/volume, which is why we always measure by weight.
When you're labeling your candles, it is only the net weight that needs to be noted (in both ounces and grams.
If you need to have a precise, exact 8.5oz (by weight) candle, we'd recommend pouring with each jar on a scale. Tare the weight of the jar, then pour until you reach 8.5oz.
@@candlescience thank you for the input 😊
Really stupid question I know, but would the formula work if I work in grams not oz?
Yes! Just make sure to stick with the unit of measurement you prefer.
@@candlescience thank you!
So u mean 1 pound of wax for 1 oz. of FO. That means: 1 pound = 16 oz. so for 16 oz of soy wax it will be added 1 oz. of FO? Well it will also depends on what type of wax it will be used correct so I assume that here u are talking about soy wax, correct? So for 8 oz. it will be added.05 FO is that right?
Different waxes can have different maximum fragrance loads, correct! Many can handle between 6% and 10% but some may hold less. 1 oz of fragrance oil per 1 lb or 16 oz of wax is about a 6% fragrance load. If you will be using a 6% load for 8 oz of wax, you would need 0.48 ox of fragrance but this can definitely be rounded up to 0.5 oz. To calculate how much fragrance you will need for a particular batch of candles, you can multiply the fragrance % you'd like to use by the total number of wax you'll be using:
(fragrance %) x (oz of wax) = total oz of fragrance
@@candlescience Love it thank you so much.
@@candlescience so I measure my cup deducted the weight and star pouring the oil but the scale didn’t even move why was that happening? Should I place the melted wax hot pouring in the scale and trow the oil?
And then you have 3.06 oz of wax left over at the end, so how do you work out so you have the perfect amount including fragrance with no waste?
You can calculate exactly how much wax and fragrance you'll need for a batch of candles by first calculating the total ounces you'll need for the batch, then calculating how many ounces of fragrance you'll need for the fragrance load you'll be using, and then subtracting the total ounces of fragrance from the total ounces of wax. This will leave you with only enough wax and fragrance to fill the jars to the same level each time so it will be best practice to fill each jar on a scale. If there are any spills or some jars are over or under-filled, you may run out of wax.
Don’t you have to back out the weight of fragrance from wax to have total?
You could use that calculation, yes! It will not leave you with any extra wax though so you may need to pour the candles directly on a scale to make sure each gets the same amount of wax for your batch. It can be tricky if you need to fill in sink holes or if any wax is spilled but the basic equation would be this:
Wax Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight / (FO Percentage +1)
FO Weight Needed = Total Combined Weight - Wax Weight Needed
I want to make a few small candles each with a difference fragrance. I'd like to melt all the wax at one time, fill the jars then add the different fragrances. Is this impossible?
I don't want 3 large unusable candles I've messed up but can live with 3 I've messed up. Help me please
For fragrance to bind well to wax we recommend adding it at 185°F. The recommended pouring temp of your wax may be lower. Adding fragrance at too low of a temp and pouring wax at too high of a temp could cause separate issues. If you're using paraffin that has a higher pour temp, around 170-180° F, technically you could try this method but it won't be ideal. I'm actually having a similar issue at the moment where I need to make a lot of smaller candles with different scents. I'd recommend melting your wax in a large batch, holding at 185°F and then pouring it into a smaller pouring pitcher to add your fragrance and then pour into the candle from there. This way, you'll have all your wax and will only need to wipe out the small pitcher a few times.
Thank you for this
If I do 300g of wax what is the percentage of fragrance oil plz I also will be using golden wax 464
Decide on the fragrance load you'd like to work with. 464 can hold a maximum of 10% fragrance, typical usages are anywhere between 6-10%. Once you know the percentage you'd like to use, you can follow the steps in this video to figure out how much fragrance you need.
Can i use soya wax fragrance with another wax like soya parffin blend igi 6006?
Hi! You can use any fragrance oil that is intended for use in candles with any wax, unless the manufacturer or supplier notes otherwise. 🙂
My question is, how much wax would you need to melt in order to get those 51oz? 51oz of unmelted wax give you 51oz once melted?
I read somewhere that it is the same. If you were to melt that 51 oz, it would fill all of those jars he listed above.
@@mricejones78 thanks!
If you weigh out 51 oz of solid wax, you will still have 51 oz of melted wax by weight, it will just look like less volumetrically. Measuring your materials by weight and not volume will be the best way to get the most accurate results.