Candle Burn Time Calculator
Estimate total candle burn hours with a quick planning mode, or use your own burn-test measurements for a more useful estimate.
Calculator
Use measured weight loss from a controlled burn test to calculate your candle's burn rate.
For planning only. Choose a measured or assumed burn rate rather than relying on wax type alone.
Your Results
How the Candle Burn Time Calculator Works
The recommended mode uses your candle's measured weight loss during a timed burn test. This captures the combined effect of your wick, wax, fragrance, vessel and formulation better than a generic wax-type assumption.
Example
If a candle loses 1 oz during a 4-hour test, its measured burn rate is 0.25 oz per hour. If the candle contains 8 oz of usable wax, the estimated total burn life is:
Why Burn Testing Matters
Two candles with the same wax weight can burn at different rates. Wick size and count, vessel diameter, wax blend, fragrance, dye and formulation can all affect real-world performance. Use the quick mode for planning, then replace assumptions with measured burn-test data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate candle burn time?
Measure how much candle weight is lost during a timed burn test, divide that loss by the test duration to get burn rate, then divide usable wax weight by the burn rate.
Does an 8 oz candle always burn for the same number of hours?
No. Equal wax weights can have different burn rates because candle construction and formulation affect how quickly fuel is consumed.
Can I use this calculator without doing a burn test?
Yes. Quick Estimate mode accepts an assumed burn rate, but a measured burn rate from your own finished candle is more useful.
What does total burn time mean?
It means the approximate cumulative usable life across multiple burn sessions, not a recommendation to burn the candle continuously for that many hours.