Candle math
Scale a candle recipe
From 6 candles to 24: change the batch size, not the proportions.
Start with the finished fill weight
This example uses 180 g of wax plus fragrance per candle, with fragrance at 8% by wax weight. The 180 g excludes the container, wick, and accessories.
Grams measure mass, not volume. Don't substitute a jar's capacity in milliliters for its fill weight in grams.
6 candles × 180 g = 1,080 g total fill
Wax = 1,080 g ÷ (1 + 0.08) = 1,000 g
Fragrance = 1,000 g × 0.08 = 80 g
Multiply the amounts, not the percentage
Keeping the same fill weight per candle, the scale factor is the new candle count divided by the original count: 24 ÷ 6 = 4. Multiply both ingredient amounts by four. Keep the fragrance at 8% by wax weight, not 32%.
| Ingredient | 6 candles | 24 candles |
|---|---|---|
| Wax | 1,000 g | 4,000 g |
| Fragrance | 80 g | 320 g |
| Total fill | 1,080 g | 4,320 g |
Check the result: 4,000 g + 320 g = 4,320 g, and 4,320 g ÷ 24 = 180 g per candle. These amounts do not include pouring losses.
Keep the basis with the recipe
Scaling preserves the original percentage basis. An 8% total-weight formula is a different recipe; don't switch bases while increasing a batch. If the fill weight also changes, use new total fill ÷ original total fill as the scale factor.
Scale the math, then test the candle
8% is an example, not a recommended load. Use your tested formula and follow your suppliers' guidance. Scaling amounts does not replace burn testing of a new vessel, wick, wax, fragrance, or other material.