Wax Needed
14.1 oz
Cost/Candle
$5.88
Batch Cost
$23.53
Soy: 6–10% max, Paraffin: 6–12% max
Handmade candles retail for $15–$50+ depending on size and brand
Inputs
Result
A 3″ diameter × 4″ tall cylinder has a volume of 28.3 in³. At soy wax density of 0.497 oz/in³, that’s about 14.0 oz of wax. With 8% fragrance load, add 1.1 oz of fragrance oil. Total material cost is under $4.
Inputs
Result
A 4″ sphere has a volume of 33.5 in³. Beeswax is denser at 0.554 oz/in³, yielding 18.6 oz of wax. At $8/lb for beeswax, cost is higher but the candle has a natural honey fragrance and burns 30% longer.
Inputs
Result
Taper candles use a cone formula with a 40% top taper. Each 1″ × 10″ taper needs only 2.2 oz of paraffin. A batch of 12 costs about $7.43 total—roughly $0.62 per taper vs $2–$4 retail.
Calculate the mold’s internal volume using geometry formulas: π×r²×h for cylinders, 4/3×π×r³ for spheres. Multiply the volume in cubic inches by the wax density (0.497 oz/in³ for soy, 0.520 for paraffin) to get the wax weight in ounces. Add 10% extra to account for container fill and trimming.
| Mold Shape | 3″ dia × 4″ h | 4″ dia × 6″ h | Wax Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder (Soy) | 14.0 oz | 37.3 oz | Soy |
| Cylinder (Paraffin) | 14.7 oz | 39.3 oz | Paraffin |
| Sphere 3″ (Soy) | 7.0 oz | — | Soy |
The recommended fragrance load depends on wax type. Soy wax handles 6–10% fragrance oil by weight, while paraffin can hold 6–12%. Beeswax has a natural scent and typically uses 3–6%. Exceeding the maximum causes sweating, poor burn performance, and potential safety issues.
| Wax Type | Min % | Max % | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soy | 6% | 10% | 8% |
| Paraffin | 6% | 12% | 9% |
| Beeswax | 3% | 6% | 4% |
| Coconut | 6% | 8% | 7% |
Wick size is primarily determined by the candle’s diameter. For candles up to 2″ diameter, use a small wick (CD-6 or ECO-4). For 2–3″ diameter, use medium (CD-12 or ECO-8). For 3–4″ diameter, use large (CD-18 or ECO-14). Candles over 4″ may need extra-large or multiple wicks.
| Diameter | Wick Size | CD Series | ECO Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 2″ | Small | CD-6 | ECO-4 |
| 2–3″ | Medium | CD-12 | ECO-8 |
| 3–4″ | Large | CD-18 | ECO-14 |
| 4–5″ | X-Large | CD-22 | ECO-16 |
A standard 8 oz soy candle costs $1.50–$3.00 in materials: about $0.40–$0.60 for wax, $0.80–$1.20 for fragrance oil, and $0.15–$0.25 for wick and dye. Compare that to $18–$45 retail for similar artisan candles, a savings of 85–95%.
| Component | Soy | Paraffin | Beeswax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wax (8 oz) | $0.40 | $0.28 | $1.00 |
| Fragrance (8%) | $0.96 | $0.96 | $0.48 |
| Wick + Dye | $0.20 | $0.20 | $0.20 |
| Total | $1.56 | $1.44 | $1.68 |
Soy wax is plant-based, burns cleanly, and has good scent throw at an affordable price ($2.50/lb). Paraffin is petroleum-derived, the cheapest option ($1.80/lb), with the strongest scent throw but produces more soot. Beeswax is natural, self-scented, longest burning, but the most expensive ($8.00/lb).
| Wax Type | Cost/lb | Scent Throw | Burn Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soy | $2.50 | Good | Moderate |
| Paraffin | $1.80 | Strongest | Moderate |
| Beeswax | $8.00 | Natural honey | Longest |
| Coconut | $4.00 | Excellent | Moderate |
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Last Updated: Mar 11, 2026
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