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Open the calculator 🕯️The single most common mistake in candle making is measuring fragrance oil by volume rather than by weight. Fragrance load is always expressed as a percentage of the wax weight — for example, a 10% load means 10 grams of fragrance oil per 100 grams of wax. But since different waxes have different densities, the same jar requires a different weight of wax depending on whether you're using soy, paraffin, coconut, or beeswax. WickWise handles that density conversion automatically so your fragrance percentage is always calculated against the correct wax weight.
Fragrance load limits vary by wax type. Soy 464 and 444 blends hold 6–10% fragrance oil by weight. Paraffin is more tolerant, typically 8–12%. Coconut wax can hold up to 12% and produces a strong cold throw. Beeswax is the most restrictive at 3–6% — go higher and the oil seeps out or causes uneven burning. Staying within your wax's recommended load range isn't just about scent strength; exceeding it creates real safety risks including excessive soot and fire hazards.
Wick selection depends on your container's diameter, the wax you're using, and the fragrance load. A wick that's too small won't achieve a full melt pool, leaving tunnelling down the centre. Too large and the flame burns too hot, consuming the fragrance before it can diffuse properly and producing black soot. The wick guide below walks through the main wick series — CD, ECO, LX, and wooden — with recommendations by container size.
Everything you need to nail your next batch.
The right fragrance load percentage by wax type — soy, paraffin, coconut, and beeswax — plus what happens when you go too high or too low.
Read guide → Soy waxSoy 464 and 444 density, correct pour temperatures, cure time, and exactly how much wax you need per candle size.
Read guide → Wick sizingMatch your wick series to your container diameter and wax type. Includes CD, ECO, LX, and wooden wick comparisons plus a testing protocol.
Read guide → Wax amountsHow many candles you can make per pound of wax, yield tables by container size, and how to plan a bulk batch purchase.
Read guide →Fragrance load depends on wax type. Soy (464/444) holds 6–10% by weight. Paraffin holds 8–12%. Coconut wax up to 12%. Beeswax is most restrictive at 3–6%. Too little means weak throw; too much causes oil seeping, soot, or fire risk.
Measure your container volume in fluid ounces, then convert to weight using your wax's density. Soy wax weighs roughly 0.86 oz per fl oz of volume. A 10 fl oz container needs about 8.6 oz of soy wax. WickWise handles this automatically — just enter container dimensions and wax type.
Fragrance oil is measured as a percentage of wax weight, not volume. Different waxes have different densities — soy and coconut are lighter than paraffin and beeswax — so the same container needs different wax amounts depending on what you're using.
At least 48 hours, and ideally 1–2 weeks for the best scent throw. During curing, fragrance oil fully bonds with the wax. Testing immediately after solidifying will show weaker scent than the finished product.
Wick size is primarily determined by container diameter and wax type. Soy burns cooler than paraffin and often needs a larger wick for the same diameter. Too small = tunnelling; too large = soot and excess heat. The wick guide above covers CD, ECO, LX, and wooden series with diameter recommendations.
For soy 464: add fragrance at 175–185°F, pour into containers at 135–145°F. Coconut wax is poured cooler, around 110–125°F. Pouring too hot causes sinkholes; too cool causes surface imperfections. Check your specific supplier's guidelines as formulations vary.