Candle Burn Time Calculator
See how long a candle will really last — enter its wax weight, wicks, and burn rate to get total burn hours, the number of evenings it covers, and the wax used each session.
Get the most hours from every candle
A candle’s life is set by two numbers: how much wax it holds and how fast the flame eats it. Once you know the burn rate, the total hours are simple arithmetic — and knowing them helps you decide whether a candle is worth its price and how long a scent will carry a room.
Building or buying candles? Check the wax-to-fragrance ratio with the Fragrance Load Calculator, and make sure the wick matches the jar with the Candle Wick Size Guide — an over-wicked candle burns hot and fast and undercuts every hour this tool predicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is candle burn time calculated?
It is the wax weight divided by how fast the flame consumes wax. A single container wick burns roughly 6–9 grams of wax an hour, and more wicks burn proportionally faster. But a container candle is finished when about half an inch (1.3 cm) of wax is left in the jar, because burning lower can overheat the glass, so that wax does not count. A 200 g single-wick candle in a 75 mm jar keeps about 50 g at that line, so at 7 g/hour it gives about 21 safe hours, not the 28 you get by dividing all 200 g. This calculator takes that last half inch off for you and then splits the hours into whole burn sessions of the length you choose.
Why does the label burn time differ from what I get?
Label times are usually a manufacturer's best case measured in controlled conditions. Your real burn rate rises with a bigger wick, a heavy fragrance load, a warm or draughty room, and long unbroken burns. Wick size is the biggest single factor — the wick-size guide can tell you whether a candle is over- or under-wicked for its jar.
How long should each burn session be?
Aim for three to four hours at a time. Wax has a memory: burn long enough on the first light to melt the pool out to the container wall, or the candle will tunnel and waste wax. But burning much beyond four hours overheats the wax and wick, produces soot, and shortens the total life — so trim the wick and relight rather than leaving it going all day.
Can I use this for pillar or taper candles too?
Yes. Enter the wax weight and a burn rate for that candle type — pillars and tapers often burn a little slower per wick than a wide container candle. If you only know the label hours, you can work backwards: divide the wax weight by the stated hours to get an approximate grams-per-hour to reuse for similar candles.
Estimates only, based on steady-state burning. Real burn times vary with wick, fragrance, and conditions. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and follow the maker’s safety guidance.