How We Score: Methodology

Every score on Fragranote comes from a fixed, published set of criteria — never a single reviewer’s mood on the day they tested a bottle. This page explains exactly how each number is built, so you can decide how much to trust it.

Performance Scores (1–10)

Every fragrance is rated on four independent metrics, each on a 1–10 scale:

• Longevity — how long the scent remains detectable on skin.
• Sillage — how far the scent projects from the wearer.
• Versatility — how many occasions and seasons the fragrance suits.
• Value — performance relative to price paid.

These are compiled from consistent testing conditions and cross-referenced against community consensus data, not a single wearer’s skin chemistry — which is why we score in ranges and describe general tendencies rather than promising an exact number of hours.

Climate Zone Scores

Most fragrance reviews ignore the single biggest variable in how a scent actually wears: weather. Fragranote scores every fragrance separately across five climate zones — Extreme Heat, Hot & Humid, Warm & Dry, Mild, and Cold — based on how each fragrance’s note structure, concentration, and known performance behave as temperature and humidity change. A heavy oriental that performs beautifully in a Karachi winter can turn cloying in Dubai in July; a light aquatic that disappears in humidity can be perfect for a mild spring day in London. The climate score is designed to catch exactly that mismatch before you buy.

Clone & Similarity Matching

Our Clone Finder uses a weighted similarity engine that compares fragrances on their note composition (top, heart, and base notes) and scent accords, producing a percentage match rather than a marketing claim of “smells identical.” A higher percentage means more structural overlap in the actual notes used — it is not a guarantee of an identical wear experience, since concentration, quality of raw materials, and individual skin chemistry all still matter.

Pricing

Prices are researched from real retail listings, shown as a range to reflect normal market variation, and can be viewed in USD, EUR, GBP, PKR, AED, INR, or SAR using the currency switcher in the site header. Currency conversion rates refresh daily. We do not accept payment from brands or retailers to influence a score, ranking, or review.

What We Won’t Publish

A fragrance page only goes live once we have at least two of the following five data groups verified: notes, performance scores, climate scores, pricing, and scent accords. Pages that fall short of this bar are kept out of Google’s index rather than published as thin, templated placeholders — we would rather have fewer complete pages than more incomplete ones.

Corrections

Fragrance formulas change, prices move, and we make mistakes. If you spot an error on any page, let us know and we will review and correct it.