Hydrophile-lipophile balance method is one of the requirements which can complete the existing guidelines, thereby making the most stable emulsion. The aim of present work was to determine the required hydrophile-lipophile balance of lemon essential oil in oil-in-water emulsions. Paraffin oil and its known required hydrophile-lipophile balance were used as a standard. Span 80 and Tween 80 or Gelucire 44/14 blend were applied as emulsifying agents. Emulsions were evaluated by droplet size distribution and turbidity measurements. Based on the estimated stability of emulsion series and according to the droplet size analysis with lower variations, the required hydrophile-lipophile balance of lemon oil was measured approximately 12 in oil-in-water systems.