How to use the candle wax and fragrance calculator
- Enter the container capacity in fluid ounces, which is how much water the empty jar holds when full.
- Enter how many candles you are making and how full to fill each jar.
- Set the wax weight per fluid ounce and the fragrance load. Both depend on your wax and supplier, so replace the examples with their figures.
- Add a percent of extra wax for spills and what stays in the pouring pot. Read the wax and fragrance oil to weigh out.
Formula
Wax per candle = capacity x fill % x wax weight per fluid ounce
Wax to melt = wax per candle x candles x (1 + extra %)
Fragrance oil = wax to melt x fragrance load %
1 ounce = 28.349523125 grams
Fragrance load is a share of the wax weight. The total to pour is wax plus fragrance oil.
Worked example
For six 8 fl oz jars filled 90% with a wax that weighs 0.9 oz per fluid ounce, each candle takes 8 x 0.9 x 0.9 = 6.48 oz (184 g).
Six candles with 10% extra need 42.77 oz of wax (1,212 g, 2.67 lb). At an 8% fragrance load, the fragrance oil is 3.42 oz (97 g).
Weigh, do not measure by volume
Wax and fragrance oil are best weighed on a kitchen scale, since a fluid ounce of wax does not weigh an ounce and densities vary between waxes. A simple way to find your own wax figure is to weigh a jar empty, then filled with water and then with finished wax, and compare the wax weight with the water weight.
Fragrance load limits
Every wax has a maximum fragrance load set by its maker, and going beyond it can cause sweating, poor burn or safety problems. The 8% default is only an example, so use your supplier's guidance. Test burn a sample candle before you make a batch to sell or give away. Related conversions are in the grams to cups converter and the unit converter.
Fill level and shrinkage
Leave room below the rim for the wick and for safe burning, and expect some wax to shrink as it cools. If you top off with a second pour, plan a little extra wax. For other kitchen and craft recipes, see the cooking measurement converter.
Assumptions and limits
- The wax weight per fluid ounce, fill level, fragrance load and extra percent are examples, not published properties of any wax.
- Container capacity is the full volume to the brim in US fluid ounces.
- The fragrance oil volume line assumes about 1 ounce by weight per fluid ounce, which varies by oil.
- Wick selection and burn safety are not covered. Follow your supplier's instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How much wax do I need for an 8 oz candle?
It depends on your wax and fill level. With the example values, one jar takes about 6.5 oz of wax by weight. Weigh your own wax to refine it.
How much fragrance oil per pound of wax?
Multiply the wax weight by the fragrance load. At 8%, a pound of wax takes 1.28 oz of oil. Check your wax maker's maximum before choosing a load.
Why is my candle wax weight less than the jar size in ounces?
Jar size is a volume in fluid ounces, while wax is weighed. Most waxes weigh less than the same volume of water, which is why the example uses 0.9.
Should I make extra wax?
Yes, a small amount. Wax is lost to the pot, pouring and any topping off, so the calculator lets you add a percent for that.