Total Batch Wax Weight
6.4oz
About 6.4 oz of wax per candle.
Quick Start
Load a sample recipe
One click loads a proven recipe and cost structure. Then fine-tune for your own wax and pricing.
Step 1
Batch & container settings
Unit system
fl oz
The jar’s fluid volume, not its weight.
candles
Density converts fluid volume to wax weight.
in
Used for wick count. Set to 0 for wickless wax melts.
Step 2
Recipe & cost settings
Most waxes hold 6–10% well. Above ~10–12% the oil may sweat out.
$/lb
$/oz
$
$
$
min
$/hr
Step 3
Get your recipe & profit
Results update automatically as you type. Saving keeps your recipe on this device only.
Results
Your batch recipe & pricing
Total Fragrance Oil
0.6oz
About 0.06 oz per candle at 8% load.
Recommended Wick Count
1 wick / candle
Based on a 3″ diameter container.
True Cost Per Candle (COGS)
$0.00
Materials + labor.
Recommended Wholesale
$0.00
COGS × 2 — what a shop would pay you.
Recommended Retail
$0.00
Wholesale × 2 (COGS × 4) — the customer price.
Estimated Profit / Candle
$0.00
Profit margin: 0% at retail.
Notes & Warnings
These are mathematical estimates. Always weigh ingredients, follow your wax maker’s temperatures, and burn test every new recipe before selling.
Plain English
Why candle math works this way
Workshop
Your shopping checklist
The core kit that makes consistent, sellable candles possible.
Supplies
Recommended Candle Making Supplies
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Gadget Earth may earn from qualifying purchases. Product availability and prices change frequently. We link to broad product categories — always compare specifications and reviews yourself.
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Learn
The candle maker’s guide
How to Calculate Wax and Fragrance Weights for Any Jar
Multiply your container’s fluid volume by the wax’s density to get total weight — an 8 fl oz jar of soy (density 0.86) is about 6.9 oz total. Because fragrance oil is part of that total, divide by (1 + load) to get wax weight, then subtract to get oil weight. Multiply everything by your batch size. This calculator does it instantly, but knowing the math means you can scale any recipe up or down. It’s the same weight-first ratio thinking we use in our Coffee Brew Ratio & Recipe Calculator — weigh, don’t guess.
Why Measuring Candle Ingredients by Volume Ruins Recipes
Waxes have different densities, so “one cup” of soy weighs less than “one cup” of paraffin or beeswax. Measuring by volume gives you a different fragrance load every time you switch wax, which changes hot throw, burn quality, and can cause sweating. A digital scale accurate to 1 gram removes all of that guesswork and makes every batch identical.
How to Price Handmade Candles for Etsy and Craft Fairs
Start with true COGS: wax, fragrance, jar, wick, label, plus your labor at a real hourly rate. Then set wholesale at COGS × 2 and retail at wholesale × 2. Many hobbyists underprice because they forget labor or only charge materials, then wonder why they never profit. If your retail seems high, reduce material cost or batch size rather than your margin.
Understanding Fragrance Load and Flashpoints
Fragrance load is the oil’s weight as a percent of wax weight; most wax holds 6–10% well. Every fragrance oil also has a flashpoint — the temperature where it can ignite or burn off. Add fragrance at the temperature your wax maker recommends (below the oil’s flashpoint) so the scent binds into the wax instead of evaporating or becoming a hazard.
How to Choose the Right Wick Size for Your Jar
Wick size depends on your jar’s diameter and your wax. As a starting rule, containers under about 3 inches use a single wick; wider containers often need two. The only way to confirm is a burn test: the melt pool should reach the edges within roughly 2 hours without the glass getting dangerously hot. Always test each wax-and-wick combination before selling. If you’re also building shelves, market booths, or a workshop for your candle business, our Woodworking Cut List & Board Foot Calculator and Deck & Fence Material Calculator can estimate the materials for those builds.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much wax do I need to fill an 8 oz jar?
An 8 fluid ounce jar holds about 6.9 ounces of soy wax by weight (8 times the 0.86 density of soy). Because fragrance oil is part of the total weight, at an 8 percent load you would use roughly 6.4 oz of wax and 0.5 oz of fragrance oil for a total of about 6.9 oz. Always weigh by weight, not volume.
What is the best fragrance oil percentage for soy wax?
Most soy waxes hold 6 to 10 percent fragrance oil well, and 8 percent is a common starting point. Pushing past 10 to 12 percent often exceeds what the wax can hold, causing oil to sweat out on the surface and creating a fire hazard. Test your specific wax and oil combination.
How do I price my homemade candles for profit?
First calculate your true cost of goods sold (COGS): wax, fragrance, jar, wick, label, plus your labor. Then set wholesale at COGS times 2, and retail at wholesale times 2 (COGS times 4). Pricing this way protects your margin even if you later sell wholesale.
Why is my candle sweating oil on top?
Sweating usually means the fragrance load is higher than the wax can hold, the fragrance was added at too high a temperature, or the candle experienced temperature swings. Try lowering the fragrance load to 8 to 10 percent, adding fragrance at the temperature your wax maker recommends, and storing candles at stable temperatures.
Do I need to weigh my wax or can I use measuring cups?
Weigh it. Different waxes have different densities, so one cup of soy weighs less than one cup of paraffin. Measuring by volume gives inconsistent scent load and burn quality. A digital scale accurate to 1 gram or 0.01 ounce is the single most important candle tool.
How do I know if my glass jar is safe for candles?
Use jars designed and rated for candles, made of heat-resistant or tempered glass, with no cracks or chips. Avoid thin decorative glass. Always burn test each jar and wick combination and never let the flame overheat the glass.
What is the difference between wholesale and retail pricing?
Wholesale is what a store pays you, typically your COGS times 2, leaving you margin. Retail is what the customer pays in a store, typically wholesale times 2, so the retailer also keeps margin. Price for wholesale from day one so you can sell through shops later without losing money.
How do I fix sinkholes and frosting in soy wax?
Sinkholes are air pockets that form as wax cools; a quick pass with a heat gun melts the top layer to fill them. Frosting is a natural crystalline bloom in soy wax; gentle, even heat from a heat gun can reduce it, and pouring at the wax maker’s recommended temperature helps prevent it.
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