EDP vs EDT vs Parfum: The Fragrance Concentration Guide
What Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, Cologne and Parfum actually mean — how long each lasts and which is worth buying duty-free.
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The letters on a perfume bottle — EDP, EDT, EDC — aren't marketing fluff. They tell you the concentration of fragrance oils, which decides how strong a scent is and how long it lasts. Knowing the difference helps you avoid overpaying for the wrong one at duty-free.
The concentrations, strongest to lightest
| Type | Oil concentration | Lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Parfum / Extrait | 20–30% | 6–8+ hours |
| Eau de Parfum (EDP) | 15–20% | 4–6 hours |
| Eau de Toilette (EDT) | 5–15% | 2–4 hours |
| Eau de Cologne (EDC) | 2–5% | 1–2 hours |
| Eau Fraîche | 1–3% | ~1 hour |
EDP vs EDT: which should you buy?
- Eau de Parfum (EDP) — richer, longer-lasting, better for evenings and cooler weather. Costs more, but you use less per application.
- Eau de Toilette (EDT) — lighter and fresher, great for daytime, summer and the office. Usually cheaper, and easier to over-apply without it being overpowering.
The same fragrance can also smell slightly different as an EDP versus an EDT, because the concentration changes how the notes balance. If you love a scent, it's worth trying both.
Buying fragrance duty-free
Fragrance is one of the most-compared duty-free categories — and prices for the exact same bottle can vary a lot between airports. Always check the size and concentration match when comparing: a 50ml EDT and a 100ml EDP are very different products even with the same name.
Compare fragrance prices across airports: browse all fragrance, or see who's cheaper on Paris vs Frankfurt fragrance.