Why does wax type change how much I need?

Different waxes have different densities. Soy wax is lighter (~0.89 g/mL) while beeswax is denser (~0.96 g/mL), so the same container needs different weights. Using the wrong density leads to over- or under-ordering wax.

What is a typical fragrance load?

Most soy waxes hold 6–10% fragrance oil by weight. Paraffin typically handles 6–9%. Coconut blends can go up to 10–12%. Exceeding the wax's capacity causes seepage (fragrance bleeding out).

How do I measure my container volume if I don't know the dimensions?

Fill the container with water and pour it into a measuring cup. 1 fluid ounce of water equals roughly 29.6 mL. Use that volume in the custom-volume mode.

Should I account for shrinkage?

Yes. Soy and paraffin wax shrink ~5–10% as they cool, often forming a sinkhole. The calculator includes an optional overfill factor (default 5%) to compensate for a second top-off pour.

Can I use this for wax melts or tarts?

Yes. Enter your mold dimensions or total volume just like a container candle. The fragrance load for melts is often higher (10–15%), so adjust accordingly.

Candle Wax Calculator

Enter your container dimensions, wax type, and fragrance load to estimate the weight of wax and fragrance oil needed.

Container & Wax Settings

Container Shape

Units: Inches Centimeters

Diameter (in)

Height (in)

Number of Candles

Wax Type

Fragrance Oil Load: 8%

0%15%

Shrinkage Overfill: 5%

0%15%

Results

Enter your container details and click Calculate.

Summary

This candle wax calculator converts your container dimensions into an estimated weight of wax and fragrance oil for a pour. Choose cylinder or rectangular containers (or enter a custom volume), pick your wax type to apply its approximate density, and set fragrance load as a percentage of wax weight — then get wax, fragrance oil, and total pour weight in ounces and grams.

How it works

Choose your container shape (cylinder, rectangle, or custom volume).
Enter the container dimensions or volume in your preferred units.
Select your wax type — each has a different density (soy, paraffin, beeswax, coconut blend).
Set the fragrance oil load percentage (typically 6–10% for most waxes).
The calculator shows total wax weight, fragrance oil weight, and combined pour weight.

Use cases

Planning a candle-making batch and shopping for the right amount of wax.
Scaling a single candle recipe up to a multi-unit production run.
Comparing wax types to understand pour weight differences for the same jar.
Calculating fragrance oil cost before ordering supplies.
Filling irregular or vintage containers where guessing wastes material.
Teaching a candle-making class where precise ratios matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-11 · Reviewed by Nham Vu