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Enter the number of candles. This candle wax calculator plans 150 grams of wax per average container candle, plus one wick per candle, so 4 candles need 600 grams of wax and 4 wicks. Small tins need less wax and large jars need more, so check the container size table below before buying wax for a full batch.
One hundred fifty grams suits a medium container candle. This supplies guide gives the wax amount for each container size in the batch. Competitor tables give the same shape in ounces: a 4 ounce jar needs about 3.2 ounces of wax, an 8 ounce jar about 6.4 ounces, a 12 ounce jar about 9.6 ounces, and a 16 ounce jar about 12.8 ounces. In grams, that is about 90 grams for a 4 ounce jar, 180 grams for an 8 ounce jar, and 360 grams for a 16 ounce jar, close to the 150 gram planning figure for a medium jar. Tealights need only about 15 grams each, votives about 90 grams, and large container candles 200 to 500 grams. Always measure wax by weight, never by volume, because wax weighs about 20 percent less than the same volume of water.
Wax weight equals container fill volume times wax density. The working rule used across candle guides is wax grams about equal to fill volume in millilitres times 0.86 for soy wax, 0.90 for paraffin, 0.92 for coconut blends, and 0.96 for beeswax. For a 200 ml candle at 90 percent fill, that is 180 ml times 0.90, about 162 grams of soy wax. To find your own figure, weigh the container, tare the scale, fill it with water to the fill line, and deduct 20 percent from the water weight. That water weight method avoids guessing from the jar label, which usually states total capacity, not fill volume.
One kilogram of wax makes about 6 to 7 medium container candles at 150 grams each. At other sizes, the yield changes fast: about 66 tealights at 15 grams, about 11 votives at 90 grams, about 5 candles at 200 grams, and only 2 to 3 large candles at 360 to 500 grams. For an 8 ounce jar, one pound of wax makes about 2 candles, and for a 4 ounce jar it makes about 4 candles. Melt about 10 percent extra wax for a batch, since some wax stays behind in the pouring pitcher and in the first pour, which sinks as it cools and needs a second pour.
Fragrance oil is measured as a percentage of wax weight, usually 6 to 10 percent for soy container wax, 8 to 10 percent for coconut blends, 6 to 8 percent for paraffin, and 3 to 6 percent for beeswax. At 10 percent, 1 pound, or 454 grams, of wax needs about 45 grams of fragrance oil. At 8 percent, 150 grams of wax needs 12 grams of fragrance oil. Add fragrance at about 85 degrees C for soy wax and stir gently for about 2 minutes so it binds, then pour at the wax maker recommended temperature. More fragrance does not always mean a stronger scent: too much oil can sweat out of the candle or weaken the burn.
Wick size follows container diameter, not candle height. As a starting point, jars under 6 centimetres suit a small cotton wick, 6 to 8 centimetres suit a medium wick, 8 to 10 centimetres suit a large wick, and jars wider than 10 centimetres usually need two wicks. A 76 millimetre soy jar starts at about CD-14, with CD-16 as the wick up option. A 2 inch jar starts around CD 4 to 6, a 2.5 inch jar around CD 8 to 10, a 3 inch jar around CD 12 to 14, and a 3.5 inch jar around CD 18 to 22. Every chart figure is only a starting point: burn test your own wax, fragrance and vessel before selling or gifting a batch.
Soy wax is the most common container wax: it burns cooler, holds fragrance well, and needs a slightly larger wick than paraffin at the same diameter. Paraffin burns hotter and gives a strong scent throw, but it is a petroleum product. Beeswax is denser, about 0.96 times water, burns slowly, and holds only 3 to 6 percent fragrance. Coconut blends burn cleanly and hold 8 to 10 percent fragrance, but they are soft and often blended with soy for structure. Pick one wax for a batch, learn its melt and pour temperatures, and do not mix wax types without a test batch.
Melt wax in a water bath, never with direct heat, and never leave melting wax unattended. Stir fragrance in at the maker recommended temperature, pour at the recommended pour temperature, and leave the candle to cool slowly away from draughts, so the surface sets evenly. Most container candles need a second pour, called a relief pour, to fill the sink hole that forms as wax contracts. Cure container candles for at least a week before the first burn, since scent throw improves as the wax and fragrance bond. Store finished candles away from heat and light.
Trim the wick to about 5 to 6 millimetres before every burn. On the first burn, let the melt pool reach the edge of the container, about one hour per inch of diameter, so the candle does not tunnel. Never leave a burning candle unattended, never burn it near curtains or draughts, and never pour wax down a drain, since it sets in pipes. Stop burning when about 1 centimetre of wax remains, so the container does not overheat. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
About 150 grams for a medium container candle. Small tins need about 80 to 100 grams, and large jars need 250 grams or more.
One wick per candle for a single wick candle, so 4 candles need 4 wicks. Jars wider than 10 centimetres usually need two wicks.
About 180 to 203 grams of soy wax in total, depending on fill level. At 10 percent fragrance, that is about 185 grams of wax plus 18 grams of fragrance oil in one competitor example.
About 6 to 7 medium candles at 150 grams each, about 66 tealights at 15 grams, or about 11 votives at 90 grams.
About 6 to 10 percent of wax weight for soy wax. At 8 percent, 150 grams of wax needs 12 grams of fragrance oil.
Match wick size to container diameter: a 76 millimetre soy jar starts at CD-14. Always burn test, since fragrance and dye change the burn.
Wax weighs about 20 percent less than the same volume of water, so a jar that holds 8 ounces of water holds only about 6.4 ounces of wax. Weighing avoids underfilling.
At least a week for most container candles, so fragrance binds to the wax and scent throw improves before the first burn.