Candle Burn Time Estimator
Estimate how long your candle will burn based on wax type, weight, wick size, and container diameter.
Burn time is one of the most important metrics for candle makers, whether you are crafting for personal use or selling. The primary factors are wax weight, wax type, wick size, and container diameter.
Basic Burn Time Formula
Burn Time (hours) = Wax Weight (oz) × Burn Rate Factor
The burn rate factor varies by wax type:
| Wax Type | Burn Rate (hours/oz) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soy Wax | 7–9 hrs/oz | Clean, slow burn |
| Paraffin | 5–7 hrs/oz | Bright flame, faster burn |
| Beeswax | 8–10 hrs/oz | Longest burn, natural scent |
| Coconut Wax | 7–8 hrs/oz | Excellent scent throw |
| Palm Wax | 6–8 hrs/oz | Crystalline finish |
| Blend (Soy/Coconut) | 7–9 hrs/oz | Popular commercial blend |
Wick Size Impact
An improperly sized wick dramatically affects burn time. An oversized wick burns through wax too quickly, while an undersized wick causes tunneling. The correct wick should create a full melt pool reaching the container edges within 1–2 hours.
Diameter Correction
Wider containers need larger wicks, which consume more wax per hour:
- < 2 inches: No correction (factor = 1.0)
- 2–3 inches: Factor = 0.95
- 3–4 inches: Factor = 0.85
- > 4 inches: Factor = 0.75
Worked Example
A 12 oz soy wax candle in a 3.5-inch diameter container:
- Base burn rate: 8 hrs/oz (mid-range for soy)
- Diameter correction: 0.85
- Burn time = 12 × 8 × 0.85 = 81.6 hours
Pro Tips
- Always trim wicks to 1/4 inch before each burn
- First burn should last long enough to reach a full melt pool
- Burn sessions of 3–4 hours maximum extend candle life
- Fragrance oils above 10% load can reduce burn time by 5–10%
- Adding UV inhibitors does not affect burn time significantly