Candle Making Maths: How Many Candles Can You Make From 1kg of Wax?

It’s the first question every new candle maker asks: “How many candles will I get out of this bag of wax?” It seems simple, but the answer depends on what kind of candles you’re making.

Don’t worry—the maths isn’t as daunting as it seems. This guide will give you the simple formulas you need for making candle calculations with confidence, whether you’re using paraffin wax, IW3F wax or soy wax.

Method 1: For Pillar Candles (Calculating by Weight)

If you are making pillar candles or wanting to replicate a candle whose final weight you already know, the calculation is very straightforward.

Since you buy wax by weight (kilograms or grams) and the candle is measured by weight, you can use simple division.

The Formula: 1000g / (Weight of one candle in grams) = Number of candles you can make

Example: You have a 1kg (1000g) bag of wax and you want to make pillar candles that weigh 250g each.

1000g / 250g = 4

You can make four 250g pillar candles from 1kg of wax.

Method 2: For Container Candles (The Volume vs. Weight Puzzle)

This is where most people get stuck, but it’s easy once you understand one key concept: your containers are measured in volume (millilitres – ml), but you buy wax by weight (grams – g).

Crucially, 100ml of wax does NOT equal 100g of wax.

Why? Because of density. Think of it like a kilogram of feathers vs. a kilogram of rocks—the rocks take up much less space. Melted wax is less dense than water, so it takes up more space for the same weight.

Soy wax has a density of around 0.86 g/ml. Paraffin wax and IW3F have a density of 0.9 g/ml. We can use these numbers to create a simple, golden formula.

The Golden Formula for Soy Container Candles

This is the only formula you need to figure out how much wax your container requires:

Wax Needed (in grams) = Container Volume (in ml) x 0.86

The Golden Formula for IW3F Container Candles

This is the only formula you need to figure out how much wax your container requires:

Wax Needed (in grams) = Container Volume (in ml) x 0.9

A Step-by-Step Guide to Candle Container Calculations

Let’s put the formula into practice. Grab the container you want to use.

Step 1: Find Your Container’s Volume If you don’t know the volume of your container, the easiest way to find it is with water.

Fill your container with water to the level you want your candle to reach.
Pour that water into a measuring jug.
Note down the measurement in millilitres (ml). Let’s say your container holds 250ml.

Step 2: Calculate Wax Needed Per Candle Now, use the Golden Formula to find out how much wax you need for that single 250ml jar.

250ml (Container Volume) x 0.86 (Soy Wax Density) = 215g

You will need 215g of soy wax to fill your 250ml container.

Step 3: Calculate How Many Candles Your 1kg Bag Will Make Now you can use the simple division from Method 1.

1000g (1kg bag) / 215g (per candle) = 4.65

This means you can make four full 250ml candles, and you’ll have a bit of wax left over for a smaller one or your next project!

Quick Reference Guide

Need the numbers in a hurry? Here’s a handy cheat sheet for soy wax:

To find how much wax you need (in grams): Container Volume (ml) x 0.86
A 1kg bag of soy wax will yield approximately: 1163 ml of melted wax
A 1-litre jug of melted soy wax weighs approximately: 860g

Here’s a handy cheat sheet for paraffin wax and IW3F wax:

To find how much wax you need (in grams): Container Volume (ml) x 0.9
A 1kg bag of soy wax will yield approximately: 1111 ml of melted wax
A 1-litre jug of melted soy wax weighs approximately: 900g

With these simple formulas, you can say goodbye to guesswork and plan your candle-making projects with precision. Now you can focus on the fun part—creating beautiful, fragrant candles every time.

Happy Crafting!