Candle Cost Calculator
Replace the example values with your own supplier prices to see what one candle really costs to make, and what you could charge for it.
True cost per candle
- Wax
- $1.50
- Fragrance (0.6 oz)
- $1.13
- Vessel, wick, label, packaging
- $2.65
- Labor
- $1.80
- Overhead
- $0.71
- Wholesale (cost × 2)
- $15.57
- Retail (wholesale × 2)
- $31.13
What goes into the cost of a candle
Most beginners count wax and fragrance and stop there. In a typical container candle, the jar, lid, label and packaging often cost as much as the wax and oil together. The calculator splits costs into four groups so you can see where the money actually goes:
- Consumables: wax and fragrance oil, based on how much each candle uses.
- Supplies: vessel and lid, wick and wick sticker, labels and packaging.
- Labor: the minutes each candle takes multiplied by an hourly rate.
- Overhead: a percentage that covers testing, waste, equipment and fees.
About the example values
The default numbers are placeholders chosen to show how the calculator behaves. They are not current market prices. Supplier prices change and vary a lot between bulk and small orders, so replace each value with what you actually pay, including shipping divided across the order.
Wholesale and retail suggestions
The calculator shows wholesale at twice your full cost and retail at twice wholesale. Shops that buy wholesale need room for their own markup, so a wholesale price that barely covers your cost leaves you nowhere to go. If the suggested retail price is far above what similar candles sell for, look at reducing supply costs, buying in larger quantities or changing the vessel before cutting your margin.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for candle cost?
Cost per candle equals materials (wax, fragrance, vessel, wick, labels, packaging) plus labor plus overhead. Wax cost is wax ounces ÷ 16 × price per pound, and fragrance cost is fragrance ounces ÷ 16 × price per pound.
How much should I sell a homemade candle for?
A common approach is to double your full cost for a wholesale price and double that again for retail. Treat it as a starting point, then compare with candles of a similar size and quality where you plan to sell.
Should I include my time in the cost?
Yes, if you want the business to be sustainable. Leaving out labor makes candles look profitable on paper until you try to hire help, scale up or sell wholesale.
What does overhead cover?
Overhead is the cost of things that are not part of one candle: test batches, failed pours, equipment, electricity, marketplace and payment fees, insurance and samples. A percentage is a simple way to spread those costs across every candle you sell.