IFRA calculator: check a material against its limit

The IFRA calculator tells you whether an ingredient stays within its IFRA limit in your finished perfume. Choose the product category, pick the ingredient, enter how much is in your concentrate and the strength of your perfume, and read the result. The sum runs in your browser, so nothing you type is stored or sent.

What IFRA limits are

IFRA, the International Fragrance Association, publishes Standards that restrict or prohibit certain fragrance materials. A limit is the highest percentage of a material allowed in a finished product, and it depends on the product category. Perfume such as eau de parfum, eau de toilette and cologne is Category 4.

How to use the calculator

1. Open the IFRA calculator and choose the product category. Category 4 is selected by default.
2. Search for the ingredient by name or CAS number. Inzenzo looks up its limit for that category and fills it in. You can also type a limit yourself.
3. Enter how much of the ingredient is in your fragrance concentrate, your raw formula.
4. Enter the final concentration of your perfume, meaning how much concentrate goes into the finished product.
5. Read the result.

A worked example

The finished amount is the ingredient percentage times the concentration, divided by 100. An ingredient at 0.5% of the concentrate, in a perfume that is 15% concentrate, is 0.5 x 15 / 100 = 0.075% of the finished perfume. Against an example limit of 0.4%, that is within the limit.

What the result means

• Within the IFRA limit: you are under the limit. The calculator also shows the most you could use in the concentrate.
• Within the limit, but close: you pass, but you use 80% or more of the limit. Small weighing errors or batch variation could push you over, so it suggests about 90% of the maximum.
• Over the IFRA limit: it suggests using less of the ingredient, diluting more, or replacing part of it with a similar material that has a higher limit.
• Prohibited: any amount is over the limit in that category. Remove it or replace it, then check again.
• No limit: IFRA sets no restriction in that category, so there is nothing to compare against.

What to keep in mind

• The data is a summary of the IFRA Standards stored on this site, so it is only as current as the last import. The individual IFRA Standards prevail.
• When a material has no data, the calculator never assumes it is safe. Type the limit yourself or check the Standard.
• Natural materials such as essential oils and absolutes can contain restricted components. Check those components too.
• Some limits depend on conditions written in the Standard. The calculator shows the notes so you can read them.
• The calculator is a working aid, not legal advice. Confirm important decisions on ifrafragrance.org.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an account?

No. The IFRA calculator is open to everyone.

Which category should I choose?

Choose the category that matches your product. For a fine fragrance, use Category 4.