Candle Burn Time Estimator
Estimate total burn hours for a candle based on wax weight, burn rate by wax type, and wick size factor.
About this calculator
This calculator estimates how many hours a candle will burn by dividing the wax weight by an effective consumption rate -- the base Burn Rate for your wax type multiplied by the Wick Size Factor. Wax Weight, Burn Rate, and Wick Size Factor all move Estimated Burn Time by a comparable share of its total, though the two rate terms pull it down while more wax pulls it up: more wax means more hours, while a faster burn rate or an oversized wick both shorten it. A wick that's too large for the container burns hotter and consumes wax faster than the manufacturer intended, which is why a Wick Size Factor above 1.0 represents an overwicked candle rather than a "better" one.
4-Hour Burn Sessions rounds up the total hours into the number of typical evening burn sessions it would take to fully consume the candle, and Days of Use assumes a 3-hour daily burn habit. Retail Cost/Hour is a rough estimate at a flat $2.50/oz wax cost, useful for comparing wax types but not a substitute for your actual ingredient costs. What this calculator does not model: the real-world burn-rate variation candle makers see between batches of the same wax, wick trimming and maintenance effects, ambient temperature, drafts, or the "memory ring" tunneling that happens when a candle isn't burned long enough on its first lighting to melt wax to the container edge.
Inputs
Results
Estimated Burn Time
28 hours
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter wax weight in ounces (use the site's measurement-system toggle to view it in grams -- the field itself only accepts ounces).
- Set burn rate in oz/hr from manufacturer data or your own testing.
- Select wick size factor for your wick style.
- Review Estimated Burn Time (hours), 4-Hour Burn Sessions, and Days of Use.
How the result changes with Wax Weight
| Wax Weight | Estimated Burn Time |
|---|---|
| 3.5 | 14 hours |
| 5.25 | 21 hours |
| 11 | 44 hours |
| 18 | 72 hours |
What each input means
- Wax Weight
- Weight of wax in the candle in ounces. An 8 oz container typically holds ~6-7 oz of wax.
- Burn Rate
- Wax consumption rate in oz per hour. Soy ~0.25, Paraffin ~0.35, Beeswax ~0.20 oz/hr for a standard wick.
- Wick Size Factor
- Wick size adjustment: 0.7 = small/underwicked (slower burn), 1.0 = correct size, 1.3 = large/overwicked (faster burn).
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input ParametersWax Weight = 7, Burn Rate = 0.25, Wick Size Factor = 1 = 3 input(s) provided
- Calculate Estimated Burn TimeEstimated Burn Time28 = 28
- Calculate 4-Hour Burn Sessions4-Hour Burn Sessions7 = 7
- Calculate DaysDays9.3 = 9.3
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Wick Size Factor change the burn time estimate?
A larger wick burns hotter and pulls wax up faster, so raising Wick Size Factor above 1.0 shortens Estimated Burn Time proportionally -- an oversized wick consumes the same amount of wax more quickly, not more efficiently. A factor below 1.0 represents an undersized wick that burns slower but may also tunnel or drown in its own melt pool.
Why do soy, paraffin, and beeswax have different default burn rates?
The different wax types have genuinely different physical burn characteristics -- soy wax burns cooler and slower (around 0.25 oz/hr) than paraffin (around 0.35 oz/hr) at a standard wick size, while beeswax typically burns slowest of the three (around 0.20 oz/hr). Selecting the right Burn Rate for your actual wax matters more than any other single input for getting an accurate hour estimate.
What does 4-Hour Burn Sessions actually tell me?
It divides the total Estimated Burn Time by 4 and rounds up, reflecting the common candle-safety guidance to avoid burning any single candle for more than about 4 hours at a stretch. It's a planning number for how many evenings of use you'll get, not a hard limit -- some candles are rated for longer single sessions depending on container and wick design.
Is the Retail Cost/Hour figure accurate for my actual candle costs?
Only as a rough comparison point -- it assumes a flat $2.50/oz wax cost and ignores fragrance oil, dye, container, wick, and labor costs entirely. Use it to compare relative burn efficiency between wax types or wick sizes rather than as a real cost-per-hour figure for your finished product.
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