EDC vs EDT vs EDP: What’s the Difference and Which Lasts Longer?

If you’ve ever stood staring at a perfume shelf (or a product page) wondering what EDC, EDT, and EDP actually mean, you certainly aren’t alone. We see this question all the time, especially when people are just starting to build out their fragrance wardrobe. So let’s break down the jargon, so you can choose the right perfume formulation for you, wherever you’re headed.

What Are the 4 Levels of Perfume? - EDC vs EDT vs EDP

Those letters refer to the different concentrations of fragrance oils in a perfume. In simple terms, this dictates how strong a scent is, how long it lasts, and how it behaves on the skin.

There are four main levels of perfume concentration you’ll come across, each with its own strength, longevity, and best use case:

1. Eau de Cologne (EDC):
   This is the lightest option, usually containing around 2–5% fragrance oil. Eaux de Cologne feel fresh, airy, and are often citrus-led, with delicate musk bases. They’re designed to be refreshing rather than long-lasting, with staying power of up to two hours. 

Something like Acqua di Parma Colonia Pura is a perfect example: all about clean elegance and effortless freshness. Sunny orange and petitgrain shine against a background of dainty jasmine flowers and white musk. Perfect for hot days, quick spritzes, and moments when you want something subtle.

2. Eau de Toilette (EDT):
   Eaux de Toilette sit at around 5–15% fragrance oil. They’re more noticeable than EDC, but still light enough for everyday wear, lasting around four hours on the skin. This is where a lot of people start out when first exploring fine fragrances, as EDTs perfectly walk the line between subtlety and intensity. 

A timeless scent like Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau de Toilette is a great candidate. With soaring bergamot and orange flower notes sparkling atop a vanilla-sweetened musk and vetiver heart, it’s elegant, wearable, and ideal for daytime or office wear.

3. Eau de Parfum (EDP):
   EDPs are more concentrated again, usually 15–20% fragrance oil for a high sillage and longevity of up to eight hours. They’re richer, deeper, and designed to last; ideal for big events and long, adventurous nights.

Tom Ford Black Lacquer Eau de Parfum typifies this perfume category, rich in exhilarating notes like black pepper, vinyl, and rum, juxtaposed with an intoxicating base of ebony wood and olibanum. It’s bold, luxurious, and the kind of scent you put on when you want to make an impression.

4. Parfum / Extrait:
   The rarest perfume strength, and the most concentrated of all, lingering on the skin up to 24 hours. Parfum is intense, long-lasting, and usually worn very sparingly.

Is EDC stronger than EDT?

In short, no: while ‘cologne’ might sound the more powerful of the two, it is a lighter formulation than an Eau de Toilette. EDC is fresher and more delicate, while EDT has greater depth and staying power. If you’ve ever sprayed an Eau de Cologne and it entirely dissipated by lunchtime, that’s exactly how it’s meant to behave. Eaux de Toilette, on the other hand, are designed to last longer and develop more clearly on the skin.

Does EDC Last Longer Than EDT?

Due to lower concentrations of perfume oils, EDC does not last as long as EDT. An EDC is designed to be short-lived and refreshing, while EDTs are designed to offer noticeably better longevity. That said, there’s nothing wrong with reapplying an Eau de Cologne throughout the day. In fact, many people love the ritual of applying top-up spritzes, especially in the summer months.

Which is Better: EDP or EDT?

This is where personal taste, the occasion, and your lifestyle really come into play.

Choose an EDT if:

• You want something easy, fresh, and versatile

• You’re wearing it during the day or to work

• You prefer lighter scents that don’t overpower

Choose EDP if:

• You want your fragrance to last from morning to evening

• You enjoy deeper, warmer, or more intense scents

• You’re choosing a scent for evenings, events, or colder weather

Neither is objectively better or worse, they just suit different settings and moments.

Which Perfume Formulations Best Suit Different Occasions?

Here’s how we like to think about it:

• EDC: Gym bags, hot holidays, post-shower freshen-ups

• EDT: Everyday wear, work, brunches, shopping with friends, running errands

• EDP: Evenings, dates, weddings, events, colder months

If you’re new to fine fragrances, it’s usually a safe bet to start with an EDT. They’re forgiving, wearable, and easy to love. Once you know what notes you’re drawn to, adding an EDP is where the real fun begins. And if you love fresh, clean scents and refreshing fragrance top-ups through the day? An EDC will always merit its place in your collection.

If you want to look deeper into the make-up of different scent families and formulations, our full Guide to Perfume Strengths and Types is a great place to explore further.

Whether you’re team EDC, EDT, or EDP, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer- only what works best for you. At Perfume Direct, we help you experiment without regret by offering authentic designer fragrances at heavily discounted prices.

Shop a wide range of discount designer EDP, EDC, and EDT at Perfume Direct now, and start building a fragrance wardrobe to fit every mood, moment, and season.