Understanding Fragrance Concentrations: Parfum, EDP, EDT and the Rest

The letters on a fragrance bottle — EDP, EDT, EDC — refer to concentration: the percentage of aromatic oils dissolved in the alcohol and water base. Concentration affects how long a fragrance lasts, how it wears, and often what it costs. Here is what each term generally means.

The main categories

Extrait de Parfum (also called Parfum or Pure Perfume) — roughly 20–40% aromatic oil. The most concentrated form commonly sold. It tends to sit closer to the skin, wear longer (often 8–12 hours or more), and develop more slowly. Extraits are usually dabbed rather than sprayed and are typically the most expensive per millilitre.

Eau de Parfum (EDP) — roughly 15–20% oil. The most common concentration for contemporary fragrances. A typical EDP lasts 6–8 hours on skin, with a noticeable presence in the first few hours that gradually softens.

Eau de Toilette (EDT) — roughly 5–15% oil. Lighter and often brighter, with more emphasis on the opening notes. Expect 3–5 hours of wear. Many classic daytime fragrances were composed as EDTs.

Eau de Cologne (EDC) — roughly 2–5% oil. Historically a specific style of citrus-and-herb fragrance from Cologne, Germany; today the term also describes the concentration. Fresh, fleeting, meant to be splashed generously. One to two hours of wear is normal.

Eau Fraîche — roughly 1–3% oil, diluted mostly with water rather than alcohol. The lightest category, closer to a scented mist.

Three things the numbers don't tell you

The ranges are conventions, not regulations. There is no legal standard forcing a house to use a specific percentage for "EDP." One brand's EDT can be more concentrated than another brand's EDP. Treat the categories as a general guide, not a guarantee.

Higher concentration doesn't always mean stronger projection. Extraits often project less than EDPs because richer oil content weighs the scent down toward the skin. Concentration mainly predicts longevity and density, not how far a fragrance travels.

The same name can smell different across concentrations. Houses frequently reformulate a composition when moving between EDT and EDP — adjusting notes, not just diluting. If you love a fragrance in one concentration, the other version is worth smelling before assuming it's the same scent.

Choosing a concentration

A rough starting point:

• Everyday office wear, hot weather: EDT or a light EDP
• Evenings, cooler weather, longer days: EDP
• Special occasions, close settings, or when longevity matters most: EDP or Extrait
• Casual refreshment, post-shower: EDC or Eau Fraîche

None of this is a rule. Skin chemistry, climate, and how much scent you enjoy wearing matter more than the label. The most reliable method remains the simplest one: wear a fragrance on skin for a full day before deciding.