Candle Wax Quantity Calculator
Candle containers are sized by volume but wax is bought by weight, so you need the wax density to convert. Enter the container volume, the fill level, your wax density, the fragrance load and how many candles you are making, and this calculator returns the wax and fragrance oil needed per candle and for the whole batch.
Candle wax formula
Usable volume = container volume * (fill level / 100)
Wax per candle = usable volume * wax density
Fragrance per candle = wax per candle * (fragrance load / 100)
Totals = per-candle amounts * number of candles
Density converts the usable volume into a wax weight. The fragrance is then a percentage of that wax weight.
Worked example
A 240 ml container at 90 percent fill holds 216 ml of wax. At 0.9 g/ml that is 216 times 0.9 = 194.40 g of wax per candle. At an 8 percent fragrance load, fragrance per candle = 194.40 times 0.08 = 15.55 g. For 12 candles: 2,332.80 g of wax and 186.62 g of fragrance.
Candle wax quantity: frequently asked questions
How much wax does a candle container need?
Find the usable volume (container volume times fill level), convert it to wax weight using the wax density, then multiply by the number of containers. Density matters because wax is bought by weight but containers are measured by volume.
How do I add fragrance oil?
Fragrance is dosed as a percentage of the wax weight (the fragrance load). Multiply the wax weight by the load percentage to get the fragrance oil weight. Always stay within the maximum load your wax and fragrance supplier specify.
What wax density should I use?
Use the density from your wax supplier's data. Soy and paraffin waxes differ, and density also varies with pour temperature. This calculator takes density as an editable input so the estimate matches your wax rather than a generic figure.
Why measure usable volume from a fill level?
Candles are not filled to the absolute brim: you leave headspace at the top. The fill level (for example 90 percent) sets the usable volume, which is what actually holds wax.
Sources and notes
- The conversion is mass equals volume times density; the fragrance is a percentage of wax weight.
- Wax density and the maximum fragrance load come from your wax and fragrance supplier's data sheets; this tool assumes no fixed wax.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 19 June 2026. See our methodology.