Candle cost calculator
Candle Cost Calculator
Candle Cost Calculator
Enter your material costs to find your true cost per candle.
Cost per candle
Results appear here once you calculate.
Enter your material costs and a target price to see cost per candle, margin, markup and batch profit.
What goes into the cost of a candle?
The true cost of a candle is more than wax. It includes fragrance oil, the wick (or wicks), the vessel and lid, labels, and any packaging. If you want an honest picture of profitability, you should also account for a share of overhead — things like electricity, rent and marketing — and your own labor.
Cost per candle vs suggested price
Cost per candle is what it costs you to make one. Suggested price is what you charge. The gap between them, expressed as a percentage of the price, is your gross margin. This calculator lets you set either a target margin or a fixed price and shows the resulting profit per candle and across the whole batch.
Pricing for a healthy margin
A common rule of thumb is to price handmade candles at three to four times material cost, which lands around a 60-70% gross margin. Use the margin slider to test scenarios: a higher margin improves profit per unit but may reduce volume, while a lower margin can win price-sensitive customers.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate the cost of a candle?
- Add the cost of every material that goes into one candle: wax, fragrance oil, wick(s), vessel, lid, label, and packaging. Optionally add a share of overhead and your labor. That total is your cost per candle.
- What profit margin should candle makers aim for?
- Many handmade candle sellers target a 50-70% gross margin at retail, which often means pricing at 3-4x material cost. Your ideal markup depends on your market, brand, and sales channel.
- Should I include my labor in the cost?
- If you are pricing for profit, yes. Meltmetric lets you add an hourly labor rate and minutes per candle so your time is reflected in the true cost, separately from raw materials.