Photo by Valeria Boltneva
Choosing a perfume size can be overwhelming. Also, as much as you’d deny it, size does matter when buying your next scent bottle. For some, the bigger means better, and some would prefer to buy a smaller size so they can bring it anywhere they want.This article will help you decide which perfume size you should buy that can benefit you in the long run.Check out our guide below
Understanding the bottle sizes
First, you need to understand the perfume bottles’ sizes and the number of sprays each size can provide. For your reference, perfume sizes come in three measurements : fl oz (fluid ounce), and ml (millilitres).Here’s a table of the most common sizes offered in perfume bottles.
Fluid Ounces (FL. OZ)
Millilitres (mL)
Estimated amount of Sprays
0.05 FL. OZ
1.5mL
15
0.17 FL. OZ
5mL
50
0.5 FL. OZ
15mL
150
0.8 FL. OZ
25mL
250
1 FL. OZ
30mL
300
1.4 FL. OZ
40mL
400
1.7 FL. OZ
50mL
500
2 FL. OZ
60mL
600
2.5 FL. OZ
75mL
750
2.7 FL. OZ
80mL
800
3 FL. OZ
90mL
900
3.4 FL. OZ
100mL
1000
The listed sizes above are just some of the standard sizes offered in perfume bottles. In some cases, particularly the luxury brands, they offer smaller and bigger sizes not specified above.
Now to further help you in narrowing down your options in buying your perfume bottle, we’ve listed some pointers that you should keep in mind. Here are some of them:
First-timers: Buy a smaller size first!
When you visit perfume stores, salespersons can be very overwhelming. They will offer you multiple scents that might entice you to buy multiple bottles at once! So if this happens, we highly suggest you look for smaller bottles first. Sizes between 30mL to 50mL are the best entry sizes if it’ll be your first time using that perfume.
Why less than 100mL? There might be an instance that you’d love the scent while you’re at the store but won’t like it after a few days of sprays. So, it’s better to test out smaller sizes first than investing in an 80mL to 200mL bottle at a single try.
Take note of a perfume bottle’s storage life
Most people assume that perfumes last for a long time and it doesn’t expire. However, perfume bottles do have an expiration date . It may not be similar to how consumed goods expire but their quality does deteriorate over time.Perfume bottles usually last between 3 to 5 years. And if they survived more than that, you can easily identify that it’s not as same as before due to its fragrance. In some cases, it may cause skin irritation and allergies. You must take note of how often you will use a certain perfume to help you decide on the perfect size.
How often will you use it?
Will you buy a bottle for your everyday use? Or is it for occasional use? If you’re fond of spritzing perfume daily, you can choose from 50mL to 100mL. However, if you’ll just use it on special occasions, it’s better to keep it small and choose from 40mL and below.
Buying smaller size perfumes also gives you a perk: you can bring them when you travel around as they are very compact and comes in small bottles. This makes them a safer option to hand-carry than the bigger size in glass bottles.
The Smaller, The Cheaper
Perfume prices may differ based on their size, type, and brand. As we all know, luxury brands such as Gucci or Dior can be sold for a few hundred dollars. However, other perfumes are priced cheaper, but if you’re looking for quality scents, luxurious brands will never fail you.
So if you’re just trying out an upscale scent for the first time, maybe it’s best to get its smallest size; it’ll save you a lot of money should the scent won’t be compatible with you as time passes.
Final thoughts
Choosing your perfume bottle’s size can be pretty challenging depending on your purpose. For you to find the ideal size for you, you should familiarise yourself first with your routine when using perfumes.
We hope we were able to help!
Resources:
• Perfumefairy. (2021). A Handy Guide to Perfume Bottle Size. Bellatory. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://bellatory.com/fragrances/Perfume-Bottle-Size-Guide • Shomo, M.A.M. (2021). An Overview of Perfume Bottle Sizes by Ounces & Milliliters. Fragrances Lover. Retrieved May 27, 2022, from https://fragranceslover.com/perfume-bottle-sizes/ • (n.d), Expiration date does perfume have a shelf life? Perfume.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://www.perfume.com/article-expiration_date_does_perfume_have_a_shelf_life
Start your perfume journey today!
A comprehensive guide to understanding the sizes of perfume bottles, including a handy perfume bottle size chart
Photo by GavranBoris from Getty Images via Canva
Many online shoppers ask about the various sizes of perfume bottles. Depending on where you shop, some perfumes are advertised in fluid ounces (fl oz or FL. OZ.), whilst others are advertised in milliliters (mL).
This can be a bit confusing, so I thought I would create a handy list of the most common perfume bottle sizes and their equivalent measures. These equivalents are the same for cologne.
How to tell the difference between perfume bottle sizes by ounces and millilitres (or milliliters)
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In order to determine the size of the product, if it is not posted, you will have to check the label (sometimes on the bottom of the bottle or on the packaging). Also, colour, bottle shape, and design may visually obscure the true volume of the fragrance you are buying.
As you'll see in the photos below, bottles of different shapes and designs will hold the same amount of fragrance.
Some perfume bottles specifically say "U.S. FL. OZ." whereas others simply say "FL. OZ." It's safe to assume that the U.S. measure is implied. There is very little difference between the U.S. FL. OZ. and U.K. FL. OZ ...
U.S. vs. U.K. Fluid Ounce?
Some perfume bottles specifically say "U.S. FL. OZ." whereas others simply say "FL. OZ.," in which case, it's safe to assume that the U.S. measure is implied.
A comparison of the various sizes of perfume bottles including one perfume lotion. The iPhone 6S stands at 5.44 inches or 13.8 cm tall.
0.05 FL. OZ.
1.5 mL
15
0.17 FL. OZ.
5 mL
50
0.5 FL. OZ.
15 mL
150
0.8 FL. OZ.
25 mL
250
1 FL. OZ.
30 mL
300
1.4 FL. OZ.
40 mL
400
1.7 FL. OZ.
50 mL
500
2 FL. OZ.
75 mL
750
2.5 FL. OZ.
80 mL
800
3 FL. OZ.
90 mL
900
3.4 FL. OZ.
100 mL
1000
4.2 FL. OZ.
125 mL
1250
6.7 FL. OZ.
200 mL
2000
The general rule of thumb for fragrance atomizers is 10 sprays per mL, so your standard sample size of 1.5 mL from the perfume counter will provide you with 15 sprays. This is the same for cologne—the measurements do not change.
Does perfume expire? It is said that most perfumes will last 3–5 years, but there are things you can do to make them last even longer. If you are a regular user of fragrances, you will probably use up your perfume before the 3-year mark. Here's how to extend the life of your bottles:
Both bottles are 30 mL or 1 FL. OZ. but different shapes.
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On the subject of perfume bottle sizes, I'm sometimes asked: Which size is the best size to buy? There's no right or wrong answer to this question, but here's some guidance.
If you're buying a perfume for the first time, then I would recommend buying one of the smaller sizes (30 mL or 1 FL. OZ. and less). This is especially true if you are one of those people brave enough to buy perfume online without trying it.
Even if you've actually gone into a perfume store and tried something new and liked it, I wouldn't buy the biggest size. This is also true for scents that you only wear for special occasions and don't want to wear all of the time. Consider buying something small.
Chances are you tried a number of different fragrances in the same session, and as they all began to mingle, your impression of an individual fragrance would have been affected.
The way a perfume smells on your skin changes the longer you wear it. So ideally, you really need to test one fragrance for several hours to know if it's going to work for your nose. Spray or spritz it on your skin to see if it's the right fit for you.
Are you considering buying a favourite fragrance you wear nearly every time you go out? Then it's safe to assume you already know what you're in for, so go for the biggest size you can afford. Instead of buying small quantities, purchase your favourite original or iconic scent for a reasonable price. Per milliliter, it works out much cheaper.
I wouldn't worry too much about the perfume going bad before you've finished it. As long as you keep the bottle cool and out of direct sunlight, it should last at least a year, especially if it is a spray bottle.
Then, of course, there's the issue of handbag size. The only drawback to buying a 100 mL bottle is that it's not so great for carrying around. If you really want to spoil yourself, buy a full-size bottle for your dresser and a 15 mL bottle to travel. Alternatively, look out for designers like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, who offer some of their fragrances in handy 3 x 15 mL travel sets.
What's a Typical Sample Size?
0.05 FL. OZ. or 1.5 mL is your classic department store size—the samples you get from behind the perfume counter.
What is the difference between perfume, eau de toilette, and cologne? Below, I've categorized the types of fragrances by their potency:
According to TSA regulations, you may fly with a 3.4 FL. OZ. or a 100 mL bottle of perfume, eau de toilette, or cologne. It should be bagged in a clear plastic bag in your luggage or carry-on to prevent leakage.
All of your liquids need to fit into a 1-quart plastic bag if it is in a carry-on bag, such as in your purse.
Rather than traveling with a large bottle, buying a travel-sized collection (around 5 mL) is recommended. These perfume sets make for the perfect purse spray and offer more variety.
So, whether you want a style of perfume with floral notes or something classic and branded like Gucci, be sure to package them in the right materials for your flight to prevent confiscation or leakage.
© 2008 PerfumeFairy
Scott on July 20, 2020:
Your math is incorrect. If 1 oz = 30 ml why do you show 2 oz = 75 ml? Last time I checked 2 x 30 = 60....not 75. WTH
Claudia Martin on June 29, 2019:
If you are enjoying a day at a chlorinated pool, keep in mind that it may alter the scent of your perfume. I had a perfume that was just meh...till I got into chlorinated water. It changed into something that was so seductive that even women were asking me what it was. Sadly, the opposite was true of other scents of my perfume stable.
oie white on June 18, 2019:
most my fragrance last way longer then 5 yrs. i got bottle that over 25yrs old; two bottle that my granddad and dad one from the 1935 and one from 1945 still have the same scents.
Then they don't make stuff like they use to it all about the quick buck.
You should realy turn this information into an book
Ciaochiao on December 12, 2018:
This article should be widely distributed and posted. It is clear, informative and much needed knowledge. You should really also turn this into a YouTube video with or without a soft musical background. There is a fellow who has posted a rather simple but informative video on YouTube but yours truly is the jackpot of fragrance sizing. It kicks the other guys video in the a**! Seriously though, you need to turn this, chart and all, into a video. Perhaps you could include the comparison of 5 ml = 1 tsp and 15 ml = 1 tblsp, etc. But THANK YOU for an excellently written and easy to understand article. WAY TO GO!!
La on November 26, 2018:
Thank you so much! This was so helpful.
Neri on July 12, 2018:
Thank you so much for your help. Keep on posting. God bless!
Sibo on November 02, 2017:
I`m in a country that doesn't use the oz measurements but uses milliliters. I was wondering how the bottle sizes are in terms of ml because the perfumes that I usually buy do not have the measurements. Please help me identify the differences of perfume sizes in merely by just looking at them.
Violet on August 04, 2017:
Is 1.7 oz bottle good for carrying around in your bag or purse?
Sharon on May 22, 2017:
Which is the better value in a perfume I'd like to purchase 50 mlls or 10 @ .27 oz
Lupe Marin on December 09, 2016:
Do you know what is the biggest bottle for Dolce&Gabbana one desire?
almeyers on July 15, 2016:
I bought (3) .5 oz bottles of Luv Me made by Kimorra Lee Simmons off amazon for are you ready for this? Over $60 with shipping and handling. Do you know why they quit making it and took it off the shelves? I loved it so much and got compliments on it all the time.
I used to get a bottle 8-10 fl oz for $20 from Shoppers Drug Mart or any place that sells more high end perfumes. all of a sudden they were no longer and the retail stores said they no longer an get it.
I would like to know why they quit making it as well if you might know where to get a bigger bottle for a more reasonable price?
Rhonda on April 01, 2016:
Thanks for this...I sooooo needed it today!!
jace on June 07, 2012:
thanks for putting this up! came in handy!
Ankitha on February 12, 2012:
Make it more User Friendly.....
Hannah on December 29, 2011:
What are the three most popular sizes for perfume bottles?
Sherihan on November 08, 2011:
Emily, fragrantica.com is the place you are seeking, I m there ,finde me if you want any answer
Emily on December 17, 2009:
I am looking for a list of perfumes and the high, middle and low notes. Do you know where a list like that might be found. thanks.
mikenemily@comcast.net