Candle Burn Time Estimator

How It Works

Candle burn time is determined by a simple ratio: wax weight ÷ consumption rate. The wick acts as a fuel delivery system — it draws liquid wax up through capillary action, where the heat of the flame vaporizes and combusts it.

Key factors:

• Wax weight — more fuel = longer burn (linear relationship)
• Wick consumption rate — larger wicks create bigger flames and consume wax faster
• Number of wicks — multiple wicks multiply the consumption rate
• Wax density — determines how much a given container volume weighs (soy at 0.90 g/ml weighs less than beeswax at 0.96 g/ml for the same container)

This calculator uses empirical burn rate ranges for common wick series. If you have test burn data for your specific wick/wax combination, you can override the default rate for more accurate estimates.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Select wax type — this sets the density for volume-to-weight conversion
2. Choose input mode — enter wax weight directly (if you know it) or container volume (the calculator converts using density)
3. Select wick series — this sets the default consumption rate. The midpoint of the wick's range is used.
4. Override burn rate (optional) — if you have test data, enter your measured g/hr rate. Leave at 0 to use the wick series default.
5. Set number of wicks — multi-wick candles consume proportionally faster
6. Read results — burn time, label suggestion, and any warnings update in real time

Tips & Safety Notes

• Always conduct at least one full test burn before setting your label claim. Real-world factors (fragrance load, dye, altitude, drafts) affect actual burn time.
• Round down when labeling. If the calculator says 44 hours, label as "approximately 40 hours." Under-promising is better than customer complaints.
• The first burn is critical — it should last long enough to create a full melt pool (edge to edge). This typically means 1 hour per 25mm of container diameter.
• Trim wicks to 5-6mm before each burn for consistent consumption.
• Fragrance oils slightly affect burn rate (heavy fragrance loads can increase consumption by 5-10%).
• Wood wicks have wider burn rate variance than cotton — test multiple samples.

FAQ

How long does a 4oz candle burn?

A 4oz (113g) soy wax candle with a standard CD series wick typically burns 25-35 hours. Beeswax candles of the same weight may last slightly longer due to higher density and slower melt rates.

Why is my candle burning faster than calculated?

Common causes: wick is too large for the container, fragrance load above 8% accelerating combustion, drafty location causing the flame to flicker and consume wax unevenly, or the wick was not trimmed between burns.

Does wax type affect burn time?

Indirectly — through density. Beeswax (0.96 g/ml) packs more mass into the same container than soy wax (0.90 g/ml), so a beeswax candle in the same jar will weigh more and burn longer. The wick consumption rate (g/hr) is the dominant factor though.

How do I measure my own burn rate?

Weigh the candle before lighting. Burn for exactly 4 hours with trimmed wick. Weigh again. Divide the weight loss by 4 to get g/hr. Repeat 2-3 times and average for reliability.

Related Tools

• Candle Wax & Fragrance Calculator — Calculate wax and fragrance amounts for your container
• Varnish Dilution Calculator — Another chemistry tool with temperature considerations

Last reviewed: June 2026