Walk into any fragrance counter and you'll see the same scent in three or four versions: EDT, EDP, Parfum, sometimes Cologne. The labels look like a price ladder, but the differences are bigger than just "stronger means more expensive."
What the concentration percentages actually mean
Every fragrance is fragrance oil dissolved in alcohol (and a little water). The concentration tells you what percentage is fragrance oil:
- Eau de Cologne — 2–4% oil. Light, splash-on, lasts 1–3 hours.
- Eau de Toilette (EDT) — 5–15% oil. Daytime workhorse, 3–6 hours.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP) — 15–20% oil. The modern standard, 6–10 hours.
- Parfum / Extrait — 20–40% oil. Skin-close but extremely long, 8–14 hours.
Higher percentage doesn't automatically mean "better" or even "louder." Parfum often projects less than EDP — it sits closer to the skin because it has less alcohol to push it into the air.
Calculate your real-world longevity
The numbers above are textbook averages. Your actual mileage depends on your skin type, the climate, how many sprays you use, and where you apply it. Plug in your situation:
Why EDT and EDP can smell completely different
This trips up almost everyone. The EDT version of a fragrance is not just a watered-down EDP. Perfumers reformulate from scratch: EDTs tend to amplify top notes (citrus, aromatics, herbs) because lighter compositions need that opening lift. EDPs tend to amplify heart and base notes (woods, ambers, musks) for richness and longevity.
Famous example: Bleu de Chanel EDT is sharp, citrusy, woody. Bleu de Chanel EDP is smoother, vanilla-leaning, more rounded. Bleu de Chanel Parfum is sandalwood-forward and creamy. Same name, three personalities.
Which concentration should you actually buy?
- Hot weather / office / gym: EDT. Lighter, airier, won't suffocate a small room.
- Date night / evening / formal: EDP. Better projection in the first 2 hours, lasts the whole night.
- Cold weather / winter / signature: EDP or Parfum. Heavier compositions need cold air to bloom properly.
- Office where strong scents are frowned on: EDT, applied to clothing not skin.
Knowing the concentration is half the battle. The other half is wearing the right one for the right moment — which is exactly what ScentCast picks for you each morning, automatically, based on the weather and your plans.