Candle Making Cost Calculator
Use this when you need the true unit cost of a candle and a retail price. Turn wax, fragrance load, vessel and labor into cost, recommended price and margin. For oil-only math use the fragrance calculator; for wick size use the wick calculator.
Display only — amounts are not converted between currencies.
Wax, fragrance and vessel
Recommended selling price
$32.28
- 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
Recommended selling price
$32.28
When to use this calculator
Use this when you need the true unit cost of a candle and a selling price. Wax and fragrance are weight-based: fragrance ounces = wax ounces × load %. Vessel, wick, label, labor, overhead and waste complete unit cost, then a recommended price applies your target margin after fees.
For oil-only math use the fragrance calculator. For a starting wick size from jar diameter, use the wick calculator. Do not sell at cost plus “a couple dollars” without checking hours.
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
- Recommended price uses target margin after platform fees
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, 50% margin, 6.5% fees.
- Fragrance needed is 1.28 oz.
- Jar plus oil can exceed wax cost.
- Labor is $4.00 at these rates.
- Compare recommended price to what similar handmade candles actually sell for in your channel.
- If it is far apart, the vessel or labor time is the usual lever.
How much should I charge?
Charge the recommended price, or a round number above it if that is how you list. Do not round down below cost plus fees.
Pricing tips
- Price wax per ounce from what you paid for the case, including shipping.
- Include lids and warning labels.
- Wholesale buyers will want something near 2× cost — check that line in the handmade calculator if you need both channels.
- Test vessels belong in overhead until a formula is stable.
Common mistakes
- Using 8% fragrance in the bowl but 3% in the cost.
- Skipping labor because pour day is “fun.”
- Matching a paraffin big-brand price with soy, a heavy jar and 10% fragrance.
- Forgetting marketplace fees on “$18 even” prices.
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, then a selling price after fees.
Should I include labor in candle pricing?
Yes. Pouring, wick setting, labeling and packing are production time.
How much profit should I make on handmade candles?
There is no single correct profit. Many makers start around a 50% margin after fees; the right number is the one that still pays your time. This calculator lets you set that target.
How much overhead should I add?
Add a per-candle share of tools, testers, software and studio costs. Even $0.25–$1.00 is more honest than $0.
What is the difference between markup and margin?
Markup is profit / cost. Margin is profit / price. A 50% margin is not a 50% markup. See our markup vs margin guide.
Related calculators
- 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.
- Wax Melt Cost Calculator — Calculate wax, fragrance oil load, clamshells, and price per wax melt pack.