Candle Burn Time Calculator
Estimate how long your candles will burn based on wax type, container size, and wick configuration. Perfect for setting customer expectations and creating accurate product listings.
🕯️ Wax Type
Slower, cleaner burn · ~5.5 hrs/oz
📦 Container Size
🔥 Wick Configuration
Multi-wick candles burn faster but produce more fragrance throw.
⚗️ Details
Estimated Burn Time
These are rough estimates — not a substitute for actual burn testing.
per candle
Quick Reference: Burn Times by Size
| Size | Approx. Burn Time |
|---|---|
| Tin (4 oz) | 16 hours 30 min |
| Small jar (6 oz) | 24 hours 45 min |
| Medium jar (8 oz) | 33 hours |
| Standard jar (10 oz) | 44 hours |
| Large jar (12 oz) | 55 hours |
| XL jar (16 oz) | 71 hours 30 min |
| Pillar (small) | 44 hours |
| Pillar (large) | 110 hours |
| Votive | 11 hours |
| Tealight | 2 hours 45 min |
Based on Soy Wax with a single wick. Actual burn time varies by environment, wick size, and fragrance load.
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Join the WaitlistHow Long Does a Candle Burn?
Burn time depends on several factors: the type of wax, the size of the container, the number and type of wicks, and the fragrance load. As a general rule, most candles burn approximately 5-7 hours per ounce of wax, with soy and beeswax on the longer end and paraffin on the shorter end.
Burn Time by Wax Type
Different waxes have different burn characteristics. Beeswax burns the longest at roughly 6 hours per ounce, while paraffin burns fastest at about 4.5 hours per ounce. Soy wax, the most popular choice for handmade candles, falls in between at approximately 5.5 hours per ounce.
How Multi-Wick Candles Affect Burn Time
Adding more wicks increases the melt pool diameter and overall heat, which means the candle burns through wax faster. A double-wick candle burns roughly 15% faster than a single-wick of the same size, while triple-wick candles burn about 25% faster. The tradeoff? Better fragrance throw and more even melting.
Setting Customer Expectations
Listing accurate burn times on your product pages builds trust with customers. Use this calculator to estimate burn times, then verify with actual burn tests. Most candle makers recommend burning for no more than 4 hours at a time and allowing the candle to cool before relighting.
Want to Track More Than Burn Time?
We're rebuilding WickSuite on our own candle business, starting with inventory by scent and format. Until then, the free COGS calculatorworks out what each candle costs you.