Hand-Dipped Taper Candle Calculator
Calculate wax quantity, dip count, and taper dimensions for hand-dipped taper candles.
Covers beeswax and paraffin.
Hand-dipped taper candles are made by repeatedly dipping a wick into molten wax. Each dip adds a thin layer (approximately 0.3–0.5 mm), building up the candle diameter over many passes. This is one of the oldest candle-making techniques, dating back thousands of years.
Layer Thickness Per Dip
Each dip adds approximately:
- Beeswax: 0.3–0.4 mm per dip (thicker, higher melting point)
- Paraffin: 0.4–0.5 mm per dip (thinner, flows more freely)
- Soy wax: 0.2–0.3 mm per dip (very thin layers, not ideal for dipping)
Number of Dips Formula
Total dips = (Target diameter - Wick diameter) / (2 × Layer thickness per dip)
For a standard taper candle of 22 mm (7/8") diameter with a 2 mm wick: Beeswax: (22 - 2) / (2 × 0.35) = 28.6 → approximately 28–30 dips. Paraffin: (22 - 2) / (2 × 0.45) = 22.2 → approximately 22–24 dips.
Standard Taper Sizes
| Size | Diameter | Length | Burn Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birthday / Chime | 10 mm (3/8") | 10 cm (4") | 30–45 min |
| Taper thin | 16 mm (5/8") | 25 cm (10") | 4–5 hours |
| Standard taper | 22 mm (7/8") | 25 cm (10") | 7–9 hours |
| Dinner taper | 22 mm (7/8") | 30 cm (12") | 9–11 hours |
| Church taper | 28 mm (1-1/8") | 38 cm (15") | 14–18 hours |
Wax Volume Formula
Volume of one candle = π × (radius)² × length Wax weight = Volume × Wax density
| Wax Type | Density | Melt Point |
|---|---|---|
| Beeswax | 0.96 g/cm³ | 62–65°C (144–149°F) |
| Paraffin (fully refined) | 0.90 g/cm³ | 55–60°C (131–140°F) |
| Soy wax | 0.87 g/cm³ | 46–52°C (115–126°F) |
Worked Example — 6 Standard Beeswax Tapers (22mm × 25cm)
Volume per candle = π × (1.1 cm)² × 25 cm = 95.0 cm³. Less wick void: ~94.5 cm³. Weight per candle = 94.5 × 0.96 = 90.7g. Total wax for 6 candles = 6 × 90.7 = 544g. Add 30% for dipping vessel waste (wax that stays in the pot): 544 × 1.30 = 708g. Dips per candle: ~30. Total dipping sessions: 30 dips × 6 candles = 180 individual dips (done in pairs, so 90 pair-dips).
Dipping Temperature
Maintain the wax at 5–10°C above its melting point for optimal layer adhesion:
- Beeswax: dip at 70–75°C (158–167°F)
- Paraffin: dip at 63–68°C (145–154°F)
If the wax is too hot, each dip melts the previous layer instead of adding to it. If too cool, the wax becomes lumpy and uneven.
Timing Between Dips
Allow 20–40 seconds between dips for the layer to cool and harden. In cool weather (below 18°C / 65°F), 20 seconds is sufficient. In warm weather, extend to 40 seconds or dip candles in a water bath between wax dips.
Wick Selection
For tapers, use square-braided cotton wick. The wick size should match the finished candle diameter:
- 10–16 mm: #1 or #2 square braid
- 16–22 mm: #2 or #3 square braid
- 22–28 mm: #3 or #4 square braid