Candle Wax Calculator
Built by Johnny Alto · free, no sign-up · updated July 26, 2026
Enter your container size, how many candles you are pouring, and your fragrance load to find how much wax and fragrance oil to buy. Wax is sold by weight but containers are measured by volume, so the calculator converts for you based on the wax type.
Total wax00 lb
Fragrance oil0ounces
Wax per candle0ounces
Wax weight is estimated from container volume, since a fluid ounce of container holds a bit less than an ounce of wax. Factors vary by brand, so always do a test pour. Keep fragrance load at or below the wax manufacturer's maximum, usually about 10 percent.
How much wax does a candle take?
The tricky part of buying wax is that containers are sized by volume in fluid ounces, but wax is sold by weight. Wax is less dense than water and you never fill a container completely, so a fluid ounce of container holds a little less than an ounce of wax. Multiplying the container's fluid ounces by a wax factor around 0.8 gives a solid estimate of the wax weight per candle, which the calculator then multiplies by the number of candles.
The factor shifts with the wax. Soy is light at about 0.8, paraffin is denser near 0.86, and beeswax is denser still. Different brands and pour temperatures vary too, so treat the number as a close starting point and confirm with a test pour before a big batch.
Setting the fragrance load
Fragrance oil is added as a percentage of the wax weight, not the container size. Most container waxes hold six to ten percent fragrance, and going over the manufacturer's maximum can cause the oil to seep out or the candle to burn poorly. Eight percent is a common, safe starting point that throws well without overloading the wax.
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Everything to pour a candle
Frequently asked questions
How much wax do I need for a candle?
Multiply the container's fluid ounces by a wax factor of about 0.8 for soy. An 8 fluid ounce jar takes roughly 6.4 ounces of soy wax, so four of them need about 25 ounces total.
How do I convert container size to wax weight?
Containers are measured by volume and wax is sold by weight. Because wax is lighter than water and you do not fill to the brim, multiply the fluid ounces by roughly 0.8 for soy, 0.86 for paraffin.
How much fragrance oil per pound of wax?
At an 8 percent load, about 1.3 ounces of fragrance per pound of wax. Stay at or below your wax's maximum, usually around 10 percent, or the oil can seep out.
Why do I need to do a test pour?
Wax factors vary by brand, blend, and pour temperature, so a small test pour confirms the real amount and how the candle sets and burns before you commit to a full batch.
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This calculator gives estimates for planning only; always confirm against your own measurements and species research. Some links are to our buying guides, which contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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