The word that moves the price
Walk into any perfume conversation and you'll hear three abbreviations thrown around: EDT, EDP, Extrait. They describe concentration — roughly, how much fragrance oil is dissolved in the alcohol — and they are one of the biggest levers behind a perfume's price. Understanding them is the difference between paying for marketing and paying for perfume.
The three tiers, in plain words
- Eau de Toilette (EDT): usually ~5-15% oil. Lighter, fresher, closer to the skin, shorter-lived. Often the cheapest version.
- Eau de Parfum (EDP): usually ~15-20% oil. The modern default: fuller, warmer, longer-lasting.
- Extrait / Elixir / Parfum: ~20-40% oil. Dense, long-wearing, often reworked compositions — and priced accordingly.
Two caveats worth knowing. First, concentration is not a legal standard: each house decides what its EDP means. Second, an EDP is not automatically "the EDT but stronger" — houses frequently change the formula between concentrations (Dior's Sauvage EDT, EDP and Elixir are three genuinely different scents).
Why price per 100 ml is the only fair comparison
A 30 ml bottle at €60 and a 100 ml bottle at €120 are not "similar prices" — one costs €200 per 100 ml and the other €120. Add different concentrations across versions and comparing sticker prices becomes meaningless. That's why every result in our price comparator now shows the price per 100 ml and the concentration where declared, so a 10 ml extrait and a 200 ml EDT can be compared on equal terms.
Which one should you buy?
- For hot weather, office wear and easy freshness: EDT.
- For year-round versatility and better longevity: EDP — usually the best value per wear.
- For special occasions, cold weather and maximum performance: Extrait — but check the per-ml price first.
Prices shown in the comparator are indicative, each with its capture date; always verify the final price at the seller's store.