Candle Burn Time Calculator

Q: How long does a standard 12 oz candle burn?

A standard 12 oz soy wax candle typically burns for 60 to 84 hours. This depends on the wick size. Soy wax burns slower (5-7 hours per ounce) compared to paraffin (4-5 hours per ounce).

Q: Why is my candle burning too fast?

If your candle burns too fast, your wick is likely too large (over-wicked). This consumes fuel faster than necessary. Switch to a smaller wick size or a slower-burning wax like Soy or Beeswax.

Q: Which wax burns the longest?

Beeswax is the longest-burning wax (6-8 hours/oz). Soy wax is second (5-7 hours/oz), followed by Paraffin (4-5 hours/oz), which burns the fastest.

The Candle Burn Time Calculator helps you estimate how long your finished candle will last. Use the Quick Estimate tab to get a baseline calculation before you even pour your wax, or use the Precise Test tab to calculate your exact burn rate after doing a physical test burn.

Quick Estimate

Precise Test

Wax Type

Weight Unit

Net Wax Weight: 8

The weight of the wax ONLY. Do not include the jar weight.

Minimum

0

HRS

Average
0
HRS

Maximum

0

HRS

Enter your exact test burn data below to calculate lifespan and check wick health.

Test Unit

Original Weight

Post-Burn Weight

Duration of Test Burn (Hours) How many hours did you let the candle burn?

Calculated Total Lifespan

Enter Data

Hours

Wick Health & Burn Rate

Under-Wicked Optimal Over-Wicked

Burn Rate: 0.0/hr

How to Calculate Candle Burn Time

There are two ways professional makers calculate burn time: using an industry-standard estimate based on wax type, or conducting a physical burn test to find the exact burn rate of a specific recipe. Our calculator above lets you do both!

Method 1: The Quick Estimate

If you haven't poured your candle yet, you can estimate its lifespan. Burn time is primarily dictated by the net weight of your candle (excluding the jar) and the density of the wax.

Soy & Coconut Wax

Most natural vegetable waxes burn at a moderate pace.

5 - 7 Hours per ounce

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin burns faster and hotter than natural waxes.

4 - 5 Hours per ounce

Beeswax

The densest wax with the slowest burn rate.

6 - 8 Hours per ounce

Method 2: The Precise Burn Test

This method provides a highly accurate estimate of burn time because it uses real data from your specific candle, wick, and fragrance combination. To do this, you will need a digital scale.

Step 1: Weigh the Unlit Candle

Place your finished, cured candle on a scale and record the original weight. (You do not need to subtract the jar weight for this math to work, as long as you include the jar in the final weight too).

Step 2: Burn the Candle

Light the candle and let it burn until it achieves a full melt pool (typically 3 to 4 hours). Record exactly how many hours it burned.

Step 3: Weigh the Cooled Candle

Blow out the candle, let the wax harden completely, and weigh it again.

Step 4: The Calculation

Subtract the post-burn weight from the original weight to find out how much wax was consumed. Divide that by the hours burnt to get your Hourly Burn Rate.

Original Weight ÷ Hourly Burn Rate = Total Burn Time

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a standard 12 oz candle burn?

A standard 12 oz soy wax candle typically burns for 60 to 84 hours. This range depends on the wick size and fragrance load. Soy wax burns slower (5-7 hours per ounce) compared to paraffin (4-5 hours per ounce).

Why is my candle burning too fast?

If your candle consumes wax too quickly, your wick is likely too large (over-wicked). A large wick creates a deep melt pool that consumes fuel faster than necessary. Switch to a smaller wick size or a slower-burning wax like Soy or Beeswax.

Which wax burns the longest?

Beeswax is the longest-burning wax, offering 6 to 8 hours of burn time per ounce. Soy wax is second (5-7 hours/oz), followed by Paraffin (4-5 hours/oz), which burns the fastest.

Does adding fragrance oil affect burn time?

Yes. Adding a high load of fragrance oil (over 10%) can sometimes clog the wick, causing it to burn poorly or "mushroom," which can actually reduce the burn time or cause an uneven burn.