How this is calculated

Here are the steps, with the example on this page.

  • Wax per candle = pack price ÷ pack size × wax used. Units are changed first: 1 lb is 16 oz. Soy wax at $42 for 10 lb (160 oz), using 7 oz: $42 ÷ 160 × 7 = $1.84.
  • Fragrance per candle = wax weight × fragrance load, priced the same way. 8% of 7 oz is 0.56 oz. At $28 for 16 oz: $28 ÷ 16 × 0.56 = $0.98.
  • Wick, jar and label = pack price ÷ how many are in the pack. A wick from a $9 pack of 100 is $0.09, a jar from a $30 case of 12 is $2.50, a label from a $15 pack of 100 is $0.15.
  • Your time per candle = minutes ÷ 60 × hourly rate ÷ candles. 90 minutes at $20 an hour for 12 candles is $2.50.
  • Cost per candle = all of the above. $1.84 + $0.98 + $2.74 + $2.50 = $8.06. A batch of 12 costs $96.69.
  • Suggested price = cost per candle ÷ (1 - margin). At a 60% margin: $8.06 ÷ 0.4 = $20.14.

Why your candle cost changes

Wax, jars and fragrance change price often, and a case of jars can cost more than all the wax inside them. When one price moves, every candle that uses it costs more. Buying a bigger bag of wax lowers the cost per ounce, which this calculator shows if you change the pack size.

Stockria keeps each candle recipe with your materials. When you pour a batch, it takes the wax, wicks and jars off your shelf and adds the candles, so you always know what each one cost and how many more you can make. See how it works for batch makers, or read the guide for candle and soap makers.

How to work out what a candle costs

  1. Weigh the wax in one candle. Use the weight of wax, not the size of the jar. A jar sold as 8 oz holds about 7 oz of soy wax.
  2. Work out the fragrance. Multiply the wax weight by your fragrance load. 8% of 7 oz is 0.56 oz.
  3. Price the wax and fragrance. Divide each pack price by the pack size, then multiply by what one candle uses. Change units first, so ounces go with ounces.
  4. Add the parts. Add one wick, one jar, one label and anything else that goes on each candle, at the pack price divided by the count.
  5. Add your time. Take the minutes for one batch, turn them into money at your hourly rate, and divide by the candles in the batch.
  6. Set your price. Divide the cost per candle by 1 minus your margin. For a 60% margin, divide by 0.4.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to make a candle?

With the example prices on this page, an 8 oz soy candle in a jar costs about $5.56 in wax, fragrance, wick, jar and label. Add 90 minutes of your time at $20 for a batch of 12 and it is about $8.06 a candle. The jar is often the biggest cost, so check it first when you shop around.

What is fragrance load?

Fragrance load is how much fragrance oil you add, as a percent of the wax weight. At 8%, 7 oz of wax takes 0.56 oz of fragrance. Some makers work it out as a percent of the total weight instead, so check which way your recipe uses. Your wax maker lists the most it can hold.

How much wax goes into an 8 oz jar?

Less than 8 oz. Jars are sold by how much water they hold, and wax is lighter than water. Fill the jar with water to where the wax will sit, weigh the water, and multiply by about 0.86 for soy wax. Then take off the weight of the fragrance if you count it in the fill.

Should I count my time in the cost of a candle?

Yes. Melting, pouring, setting wicks, curing space, labels and cleaning all take time. Count the minutes for one batch and pick a fair hourly rate. The calculator spreads that time across the candles in the batch.

What margin should I use for candles?

Margin is the share of the price you keep. A 50% margin means the price is twice your cost, and 60% means 2.5 times. Shops that buy wholesale usually double the price they pay you, so if you sell wholesale, check that half of your shop price still covers your full cost.

Do I need to cure candles before selling them?

Many soy wax makers let candles cure for 1 to 2 weeks so the scent comes through when the candle burns. It does not change the cost, but it means a batch you pour today is not ready to sell today. Plan stock for markets and holidays with that in mind.

Can I save my candle recipe?

Yes. Click Save this as a recipe in Stockria. It is free for up to 250 items. Your wax, fragrance, wicks and jars come in as materials, with your candle made from them, so you see the real cost per candle and how many you can still pour.

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