How Do You Measure Candle Size?
Candle size is an important factor when choosing candles for candle holders, creating attractive displays, and ensuring safe burning. Properly measuring candle dimensions like diameter, height, weight, and volume allows you to select the right candles for your needs.
Understanding candle measurements is essential whether you are a candle maker creating products or a consumer looking for the perfect candles. Knowing measurement methods and typical candle sizes provides insight into fit, burn time, fragrance strength, and more.
This guide will overview the main ways to quantify candle size and dimensions. We’ll look at techniques for measuring diameter, height, weight, volume, melt pool, burn time, fragrance strength, and wax texture.
Diameter
The diameter of a candle is typically measured across its widest point using a ruler or calipers. This gives you the maximum width of the candle. Since candles can come in various shapes like cylinders, tapers, pillars etc., the diameter measurement captures the full width even if the candle is irregularly shaped.
To accurately measure diameter, place the end of a ruler or the jaws of the caliper across the widest part of the candle. Note the measurement in inches or centimeters. Take several measurements at different points around the candle and average them, as the width may vary slightly at different places.
The diameter has implications for how much wax the candle contains and how quickly it may burn. A larger diameter candle has more wax volume and may burn longer before being used up. Diameter can range from small tapers an inch wide to large pillars several inches across.
Source: http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/barcelona/students/carla-molins/week11-molding-casting/
Height
The height of a candle is measured from the bottom of the candle to the top. You can use a standard ruler or measuring tape to determine the height in inches or centimeters. The height impacts how long the candle will burn – taller candles generally burn longer than shorter candles because they contain more wax. According to one source, “Measuring candle’s height with the caliper” is an accurate way to measure the full height of taper candles and pillars (Source).
When measuring candle height, make sure to measure precisely from the very bottom to the tip of the wick on top. The height can impact burn time, with taller candles burning for longer. Consider the height relative to diameter as well – a taller, skinnier candle may burn faster than a shorter, wider one due to differences in wax volume.
Weight
One way to measure candle size is by weighing it on a scale. Compare the candle’s weight to the advertised weight listed by the manufacturer. The weight of a candle relates closely to the amount of wax it contains. Heavier candles will have more wax and generally burn longer than lighter candles with less wax. You can weigh a candle before and after burning to determine how much wax was used up.
When purchasing candles, check the weight along with the listed dimensions. A heavier candle in the same dimensions will have a greater wax content and likely provide longer burn times. Some manufacturers may list the total wax weight. Comparing this across different sized candles helps identify which has a higher wax-to-volume ratio.
If you notice a candle seems to burn faster than expected, weighing it over time can confirm if the wax content is lower than advertised. Look for weight markings on the bottom or packaging so you can compare it precisely to the specifications. This provides helpful insight into the candle’s size and burn duration.
Volume
The volume of a candle can be calculated using its diameter and height. The formula for calculating the volume of a cylinder is πr2h, where r is the radius of the base and h is the height. To find the radius when you know the diameter, use the formula r = d/2, where d is the diameter.
For example, if a candle has a diameter of 3 inches and a height of 6 inches:
- Diameter = 3 inches
- Radius r = Diameter/2 = 3/2 = 1.5 inches
- Height h = 6 inches
Plugging this into the formula:
Volume = πr2h = π(1.5)2(6) = approximately 21.2 cubic inches
The volume measurement relates to the amount of wax content in the candle. A larger volume means more wax was used to create the candle.
Knowing the volume is useful for calculating how much fragrance to add or how long the candle will burn (as more wax content generally equals a longer burn time). It also gives candle makers a standard way to quantify candle size across different shapes and dimensions.
Melt Pool
The melt pool refers to the area of melted wax around the wick as the candle burns. Measuring the width and depth of the melt pool is an important way to gauge candle performance.
The ideal melt pool should reach the full diameter of the candle within 1 hour of burning, at a depth of 1⁄4”-1⁄2” for every inch of candle diameter. A wider, deeper melt pool indicates the wick is too large and producing too much heat. This can lead to issues like tunneling, where wax melts unevenly. A narrow, shallow melt pool suggests the wick is too small and not hot enough. This may result in an uneven burn and wasted wax around the edges.
Testing the melt pool usually requires letting a candle burn for at least 1 hour, preferably 4-6 hours. The flame should be monitored and remain a steady height between 1⁄2”-2”. If the flame starts mushrooming or smoking, the wick is too large. The melt pool should also be free of residue or soot. Measuring melt pool width and depth at regular intervals will determine if the candle has achieved complete melting and proper wax pooling.[1]
With the right wick, the candle’s melt pool should reach an ideal width and depth during the first burn. This ensures optimal fragrance throw and an even, complete burn down to the bottom of the candle.
[1] https://www.theflamingcandle.com/how-to-perform-candle-wick-testing/
Burn Time
The burn time of a candle refers to the amount of time it takes for the candle to burn from when it is first lit to when it fully extinguishes. Measuring burn time allows candle makers to specify the approximate duration that a candle will provide light and fragrance.
To accurately measure burn time under standard conditions, testers light the candle and allow it to burn in a controlled environment where it is not exposed to drafts or changes in ambient temperature. The candle should be burned in the holder and vessel intended for use. The test ends when the flame is fully extinguished or the candle can no longer hold a flame. Accurate stopwatches can precisely time burn duration.
According to posts on Facebook, some professional candle makers test burn times for new candle lines to ensure performance and determine labeled burn duration figures (Luminesque Candles). The candle industry does not have formal universal standards, but some reference voluntary guidelines from organizations like the CPSC, FHSA and NFPA that include test methods for measuring burn time under controlled conditions.
Fragrance Strength
When considering candle fragrance strength, there are a few key factors to look at. The most important is the subjective rating of the smell intensity. When you first smell an unburned candle, how strong does the fragrance seem? A very faint fragrance would be rated low on strength, while a very intense, immediately noticeable fragrance would be high on the strength scale.
It’s also important to consider intensity and throw when burning. A strong candle fragrance will have a high intensity when burning, filling the entire room with fragrance. The throw refers to how far the fragrance travels when the candle is lit. A candle with a strong throw will have fragrance that can be noticed several feet away.
Testing fragrance strength is very subjective, but key things to look for are how quickly you notice the fragrance, how intense it seems to you, and how well it fills the surrounding area when burned. A robust, intense fragrance strength is usually most desirable in candles.
Wax Texture
Wax texture plays a key role in how candles look and burn. Good quality candle wax should have a smooth, creamy texture without any visible graininess or impurities (Preparing Honey Show Entries — Beeswax Candles – YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8OOoqZKJUY). The wax should have a plasticity that allows it to hold its shape when molded. It should also release cleanly from the mold with no sticking.
Smooth wax with high plasticity results in candles that burn evenly and have a pleasing visual appearance. Graininess or impurities in the wax can cause uneven melting and burning. Judging standards emphasize the importance of a smooth, plastic wax texture free of adulterations (judging standards for apiary products. Retrieved from https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d58367eec31d70001410b04/t/5e67fdc20d33184512f9c97c/1583873474685/WA+judging+standards.pdf).
When evaluating wax texture by eye, look for a creamy, smooth surface with no visible particles or grittiness. Good wax should have a pleasing visual look and feel.
Conclusion
Properly measuring candles is important to ensure optimal performance and satisfaction. As summarized in this guide, key methods for measurement include checking diameter, height, weight, volume, melt pool, burn time, fragrance strength, and wax texture. Taking the time to accurately gauge candle size using these metrics can make a big difference.
When you properly measure and evaluate the various physical attributes of a candle, you set yourself up for the best possible experience. The candle will burn cleanly and evenly, emit fragrance consistently, and provide light and ambiance for the expected duration. Just a few simple measurements help ensure proper wick sizing, wax pooling, scent dispersion, and more.
While lighting and enjoying a candle may seem straightforward, the small details of measurement make a difference. Follow the guidelines provided here prior to burning a new candle, and you’ll be rewarded with better performance and satisfaction. When it comes to proper candle use, size and measurements matter.
