Candle Cost Calculator
See the true unit cost of a candle before you pick a retail price.
Display only — amounts are not converted between currencies.
Total cost
$14.04
- Total cost
- $14.04
- Recommended selling price
- $32.28
- Profit
- $16.14
- Margin
- 50.0%
Cost breakdown
| Wax cost | $2.88 |
|---|---|
| Fragrance cost | $2.37 |
| Container cost | $2.40 |
| Wick cost | $0.18 |
| Packaging | $0.80 |
| Labor | $4.00 |
| Overhead | $0.45 |
| Waste | $0.61 |
| Fees | $2.10 |
Printed · Craft Pricing Tools · CraftPricingTools.com
Total cost
$14.04
Wax and fragrance are weight-based. Fragrance ounces = wax ounces × load %. Vessel, wick, label, labor, overhead and waste complete unit cost.
How this calculator works
How we calculate this
- Wax cost = wax oz × price per oz
- Fragrance oz = wax oz × fragrance %
- Fragrance cost = fragrance oz × oil price
- Total cost = wax + fragrance + vessel + wick + label + packaging + labor + overhead + waste
Example
Example: a 16 oz pour at 8% fragrance
Wax $0.18/oz, 16 oz, 8% FO at $1.85/oz, vessel $2.40, wick $0.18, label $0.35, box $0.80, 12 minutes at $20/hr, overhead $0.45, 5% waste.
- Fragrance needed is 1.28 oz.
- Jar plus oil can exceed wax cost.
- Labor is $4.00 at these rates.
How much should I charge?
Take this cost into the candle pricing calculator or apply your own margin. Do not sell at cost plus “a couple dollars” without checking hours.
Pricing tips
- Price wax per ounce from what you paid for the case, including shipping.
- Include lids and warning labels.
Common mistakes
- Using 8% fragrance in the bowl but 3% in the cost.
- Skipping labor because pour day is “fun.”
FAQ
How do I calculate the cost of making a candle?
Add wax, fragrance, vessel, wick, label, packaging, labor, overhead and waste. This calculator lists those lines from your inputs.
Should I include labor in candle pricing?
Yes. Pouring, wick setting, labeling and packing are production time.
Related calculators
- Candle Pricing Calculator — Calculate a profitable candle selling price from real production costs.
- Candle Fragrance Calculator — Calculate fragrance oil weight and cost from wax amount and load percentage.
- Candle Wick Calculator — Get a starting wick size range from vessel diameter, then plan wick cost.