Candle Cost Calculator
Know what each candle costs before you price it. Add the wax, fragrance, wick, container and any extras, and get the cost to make one candle broken down by part.
How to calculate candle cost
- Enter the wax used in ounces and the wax price per pound.
- Add fragrance, wick, container and any other per-candle costs.
- Read the total cost to make one candle, then copy the breakdown.
Examples
6 oz wax, fragrance, wick and a jar
6 oz wax at $4/lb, 0.5 oz fragrance at $2/oz, wick $0.25, jar $2
Wax $1.50, fragrance $1.00, supplies $2.25, total $4.75
Frequently asked questions
How do I work out the cost of a candle?
Add the cost of the wax (ounces used times the per-pound price, divided by 16), the fragrance, and flat costs for the wick, container and extras. The total is your cost to make one candle.
Why is wax entered per pound but used by the ounce?
Wax is usually sold by the pound, but you pour a few ounces per candle. The tool divides the per-pound price by 16 to get a per-ounce cost, then multiplies by the ounces you used.
How should I price my candles?
A common rule is to mark up the make cost two to four times to cover labor, overhead and profit. Start from this per-candle cost, then add your time and packaging to set a retail price.
What other costs should I include?
Use the other cost field for dye, labels, warning stickers, boxes or a share of shipping. Folding these in gives a truer cost than wax and fragrance alone.
Does this include labor or overhead?
No. It is the materials cost to make one candle. Add your hourly labor and a slice of fixed costs like rent and utilities separately before setting a price.
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