Candle Making Calculator
Pick your jar, set your batch size, and get exact grams of wax, fragrance oil, and dye for every pour. Includes top-up pour allowance for wax shrinkage and cost per candle. Nothing uploaded.
Batch Recipe
Per Jar Breakdown
| Ingredient | Per jar |
|---|---|
| Wax | — |
| Fragrance oil | — |
| Container volume used | — |
Cost Per Candle
Material cost only (wax + FO). Add labour and packaging for full COGS.
Learn more: candle making and fragrance calculations
Fragrance load percentage and wax safety
Every wax type has a maximum safe fragrance load - the highest percentage of fragrance oil it can absorb without seeping or causing wicking problems. Soy (C3, 464) can hold up to 10-12% fragrance load by weight. Paraffin can hold 12-15%. Beeswax can hold only 7-8%. Exceeding the maximum causes wet spots, mushrooming wicks, and fire hazards. The calculator caps automatically at the safe maximum for your chosen wax type and shows a warning if you exceed it.
Scaling a candle recipe without mistakes
When you move from making 6 candles to 60, a percentage error in your fragrance load gets multiplied by ten. Too much fragrance oil causes seeping, mushrooming wicks, and fire hazards. Too little and customers complain about no scent throw. The safe maximum fragrance load varies by wax type and the only way to stay inside it is to calculate precisely. The calculator scales instantly from a test batch to a full production run.
Wax shrinkage and top-up pours
Most waxes shrink by approximately 8% as they cool and cure, creating sinkholes or an uneven surface on your candles. The calculator flags this and suggests a top-up pour weight - a second pour of wax and fragrance oil to fill the cavity. This is essential for professional appearance, especially in clear jars where the dip is visible.
Cost per candle and Etsy pricing
Enter your wax price per kilogram and fragrance oil price per 100g, and the calculator shows cost per candle (COGS). This is critical if you are pricing for Etsy or a craft market. The cost shown is material only - add labour, packaging, and overhead to reach your selling price.
FAQ
How much fragrance oil per pound of soy wax?
Soy 464 holds up to 10-12% fragrance by weight. For 1lb (454g) that is 45-54g. However 6-8% gives the best throw without seeping. Enter your exact wax and jar for precise grams.
Why does soy wax need a top-up pour?
Soy wax shrinks approximately 8% as it cures, creating sinkholes. The calculator flags this and shows the top-up pour weight needed.
Does it work for paraffin or coconut wax?
Yes. Supports soy, paraffin, coconut, beeswax, and blends. Each wax type has a different fragrance load cap which is enforced automatically.