Cedar smells dry, woody and clean, with a crisp, slightly sharp edge that many people recognise from freshly sharpened pencils or a cedar lined closet. It is warm but not sweet, a little resinous, and sometimes faintly smoky or peppery. The terms cedar and cedarwood are used interchangeably in perfumery, and both point to the same brisk, grounding wood note that anchors countless masculine, feminine and unisex scents.
Cedar belongs squarely to the woody family, sitting apart from the damper mossy woods and the smokier dry woods. It blends easily with almost anything, which is why it appears in everything from fresh summer colognes to dark, smoky evening fragrances. For the wider picture, see our guide to woodsy fragrances and the related note explainers below.
The Main Types of Cedarwood
Not all cedar smells the same. Perfumers draw on a few different woods, and each brings its own character.
- Atlas cedar: the most common in fine fragrance, dry and slightly camphorous with a clean, almost soapy freshness.
- Virginia cedar, also called Eastern red cedar or Texas cedar: the classic pencil shaving smell, smoother and a touch sweeter.
- Himalayan cedar: softer and warmer, often used to round out woody bases.
Synthetic cedar molecules also appear widely, giving a cleaner, more radiant version of the note that holds up well in modern blends. If you enjoy cedar, you will likely also appreciate its cousins: sandalwood, oud, vetiver, patchouli and warm amber.
Our Top 9 Cedar Fragrances
Best for Cedar Newbies
Whispers in the Library by Maison Martin Margiela is great for those dipping a toe into cedar. This 2019 unisex fragrance sticks to the Replica Collection’s theme of bottling memories and is perfect for those who enjoy delicate, powdery fragrances.
A light cedar note melds with vanilla, pepper, and other woodsy notes to evoke the feeling of browsing an old library or used bookstore.
If you like Paper by Commodity and would not mind a richer vanilla note, check this one out.
PROS: Light enough for warmer weather, great for powder lovers
CONS: Might be too vanilla-heavy for some
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Very good
- Appropriate for: The office, everyday wear
- Price: $$$
Best for Nature Lovers
06 Cabin Retreat by Memoire Archives is perfect for those who want to lean into the camping trip vibe. This 2020 fragrance for women is great for wearing on your summer vacation and is also complex enough for date night.
Cedar is the top note here, with funky oakmoss in the middle and sandalwood in the drydown.
This is not a good blind buy, as the vegetal oakmoss scent is not for everyone. But if you want to smell like a forest hike, this may be the one for you. Take note though – after oakmoss was shown to be an allergen the industry’s international trade association severely restricted its use.
PROS: Heavy cedar scent
CONS: Leans masculine for some, oakmoss note does not suit all wearers
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Appropriate for: Date night, vacation
- Price: $$
Best Masculine Cedar
Hero by Burberry might be what a lumberjack smells like on a night out. This 2021 fragrance by Aurelien Guichard is both classically masculine and broadly appealing, making it an appropriate daily wear fragrance for the colder months.
A top note of bergamot moves into middle notes of black pepper and juniper. Three different cedars – Virginia, Atlas, and Himalayan – form the base.
What does cedar smell like when paired with other evergreen notes? Try this perfume to find out.
PROS: Masculine, strong but not off-putting
CONS: A bit middle-of-the-road
- Sillage: Very good
- Longevity: Good
- Appropriate for: The office, colder weather
- Price: $$$$
Best Rose and Cedar Perfume
Do not dismiss Chopard Rose Malaki by Chopard if you are not a rose fan – this is not an old lady perfume! This 2014 unisex scent from Amandine Clerc-Marie is a bold and intriguing mixture of slightly smoky cedar and jammy, rich, velvety rose.
The top note of saffron is a bit too strong for some. But for others, this is the perfect perfume for day-to-evening wear or even a special night out.
If you are a man looking to try out floral notes, this one is definitely worth a shot.
PROS: Rich, complex scent
CONS: Not a safe blind buy
- Sillage: Very good
- Longevity: Very good
- Appropriate for: Day-to-evening, date night
- Price: $$$$
Best Spicy Cedar
Tam Dao by Diptyque shows off cedar’s spicy side. A 2003 unisex scent, Tam Dao smells a bit like an old wooden church or drinking a cup of chai tea in the forest.
Top notes of Italian cypress and rose move into a heart of sandalwood and cedar. The drydown has rosewood, musk, ginger, and coriander.
This is a perfect cold-weather scent and works well for date night with its intimate sillage and sexy, truly unisex feel.
PROS: Sexy and unique, strong cedar notes
CONS: Not a safe blind buy, sandalwood feels boring to some
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Very good
- Appropriate for: Cold weather, date night
- Price: $$$
Best Value Cedar for Women
Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker lives up to the name in every way possible. It is rare to have a woody fragrance with cedar notes feel so girly, but this 2005 fragrance by Clement Gavarry and Laurent Le Guernec achieves it.
Top notes of lavender, bergamot, and rosewood build to a heart of orchid, narcissus, and patchouli. Cedar, musk, and woodsy notes form the drydown.
This perfume is soft enough to wear to the office and light enough for summer wear.
PROS: Soft and girly, great value
CONS: Feels mature to some, lavender can be overwhelming
- Sillage: Very good
- Longevity: Very good
- Appropriate for: Everyday
- Price: $
Best Value Cedar for Men
If you are looking for a light but woody fragrance for summer, check out CK Free by Calvin Klein. This 2009 fragrance by Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Ellen Molner is aromatic, fresh, and masculine.
Top notes of juniper, star anise, and wormwood lead to a heart of suede, tobacco, and coffee. The drydown is cedar, oak, and patchouli.
You can wear this one year-round. It is a great, non-offensive fragrance for the office.
PROS: Excellent value for the price, masculine, but fresh
CONS: Too nondescript for some
- Sillage: Good
- Longevity: Good
- Appropriate for: Everyday, the office
- Price: $
Best Luxury Cedar
Like its namesake, Opera by Xerjoff weaves together multiple notes into something more than the sum of parts. This 2019 unisex fragrance by Chris Maurice is not for wallflowers – the drama is the point here.
Top notes of fruit and Turkish rose lead to a heart of ylang-ylang, amber, nutmeg, and leather. The cedar comes through in the dry down, along with patchouli, musk, and green Haitian vetiver.
If you’re looking to make a big splash on a night out, reach for this bottle.
PROS: Bold, attention-grabbing
CONS: Can be overpowering
- Sillage: Very good
- Longevity: Very good
- Appropriate for: Date night, parties
- Price: $$$$
Best Niche Cedar Fragrance
Tiziana Terenzi is known for bold, intricate, and singular fragrances, and 2014’s Laudano Nero by Paolo Terenzi is no exception. This complex fragrance is not for everyone, but it really showcases all sides of cedar – rich, smoky, spicy, green, and woody.
Top notes of cognac, tobacco, and rosemary build to a heart of cedar, honey, ash, and slate. Oud, oak, and incense round out the dry down.
Much like Rome under Nero, this perfume is a decadent party that ends in spectacular flames.
PROS: Rich, complex, keeps developing
CONS: Too dark and gothic for some
- Sillage: Very good
- Longevity: Excellent
- Appropriate for: Date night, parties
- Price: $$$$
What Are Cedarwood Scent Benefits?
Cedarwood scent is used in aromatherapy to soothe stress and anxiety. Cedar also has some antimicrobial effects and can repel moths and other insects.
Sandalwood vs. Cedarwood Smell
Cedar used to be considered downmarket and a bit of a “poor man’s scent.” Fancier perfumers dismissed it in favor of vetiver, sandalwood, or cashmere wood.
Recently, though, fragrance makers have come around to embracing cedar’s unique qualities.
So, what about sandalwood vs. cedarwood smell?
First off, let us answer the question, “What does sandalwood smell like?” Sandalwood is a woody amber scent that feels quite warm and cozy; it is also fairly subtle.
Cedar, on the other hand, has a stronger wood scent and is much greener. Does cedarwood smell good? It is all a matter of preference, of course, and some people find that cedar scent can turn sour with their body chemistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cedar the same as cedarwood?
Yes. In fragrance, cedar and cedarwood describe the same note. You will see both terms on note lists, and they refer to the dry, woody scent drawn from cedar trees or recreated with synthetics.
Is cedar a masculine or feminine note?
Both. Cedar leans clean and woody rather than gendered, so it works in masculine, feminine and unisex blends. Paired with rose or vanilla it feels softer, while paired with pepper or vetiver it reads sharper.
What does cedarwood smell similar to?
It shares the dry, woody character of vetiver and the warmth of sandalwood, but cedar is sharper and greener than sandalwood and less earthy than vetiver. The pencil shaving comparison captures it well.
Does cedar last long in a fragrance?
Cedar is a base note, so it tends to last for hours and helps fix lighter top notes in place. Some synthetic cedar molecules are especially tenacious and project well.
Final Thoughts
To recap: what does cedar smell like? It is a bracing, strong, and woody scent, but it is also surprisingly versatile.
There is a wide range of cedarwood fragrances to explore, meaning there is something for just about everyone.
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Selena Marc is a fragrance enthusiast, freelance writer, and dog mom living in Houston, Texas. When she's not writing about her favorite new perfumes, you can find her enjoying yoga or a morning hike.
