How Long Will Your Candle Burn?

A candle burn time calculator estimates how many hours a candle will last by dividing its wax weight by its burn rate. Burn rate is governed mostly by wick size — the larger the flame, the more wax it consumes each hour. The same 8 oz candle can last 2 hours longer with a small wick than with a large one.

The Formula

Burn Time = Wax Weight ÷ Burn Rate. Wax weight is what the container or label states; burn rate is the wick's hourly wax consumption. This calculator uses typical rates of 3.5–9.5 oz/hour for small through extra-large wicks and shows the resulting hours plus realistic session counts.

Getting the Most From Your Candle

Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting, burn for 2–3 hour sessions, and keep the candle away from drafts. The first burn should melt the entire top surface — that prevents the tunneling that wastes wax and shortens a candle's usable life far more than any rate calculation.