How Many Ounces Is An Average Candle?
A candle is a device made from wax, commonly paraffin or soy-based wax, with an embedded wick that is lit to provide light. Candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from taper and pillar candles to container candles and votives. Given this variability, there is no standard weight for candles.
The weight of a candle depends on several factors, including the type of wax, the shape and size of the candle, and any additional materials such as containers or decorations. For example, a large pillar candle will weigh much more than a small votive candle. Container candles also weigh more than freestanding candles due to the glass or metal holder.
While there is no universal average, we can examine trends for common candle types and sizes to provide a general range for average candle weights.
Factors That Affect Candle Weight
There are several key factors that determine the weight of a candle in ounces or grams. The primary factors are:
Type of Wax
The type of wax used in candle making has a significant impact on the weight of the finished candle. Common candle waxes include paraffin, soy, beeswax, and palm wax. Paraffin wax is the lightest, with a density of around 0.9 g/cm3. Soy wax is slightly heavier at 0.94-0.96 g/cm3. Beeswax is one of the heaviest options, with a density of 0.95-0.97 g/cm3.1 The denser the wax, the heavier the candle will be for a given volume.
Diameter and Height
A candle’s dimensions determine how much wax it contains. Wider diameter and taller height equals more wax volume and therefore more weight. An average votive candle may weigh around 3-4 ounces, while a larger pillar candle can weigh 12 ounces or more.2
Container vs Freestanding
Freestanding candles that don’t require a container, like pillars and tapers, use only wax so they tend to be lighter than container candles. Container candles also factor in the glass or metal holder, increasing the total weight.
Additives
Candle additives like fragrance oils and dye also incrementally increase weight. However, they are a small percentage of the overall formula.
Average Weight by Candle Type
The average weight of a candle varies significantly depending on the candle type. Here is a breakdown of average weights by some common candle types:
Taper Candles
Taper candles are long and thin, making them popular for dinner parties and special events. According to Kindled Craft, the average weight of a taper candle is 4 ounces, with a typical range of 1-6 ounces depending on the height and diameter [1]. A 6 inch taper candle weighs approximately 1 ounce on average [2].
Pillar Candles
Pillar candles are thicker than tapers and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A standard 3-inch diameter by 6-inch tall pillar candle weighs about 6-8 ounces on average.
Votive Candles
Votive candles are short and wide, meant to fit into candle holders. A typical votive candle is 1.5 inches wide by 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 1.5 ounces.
Tealight Candles
Tealight candles are very small and lightweight, weighing about 0.2-0.3 ounces each.
Container Candles
Container candles come in jars or other vessels, with widths ranging from 2-5 inches generally. A typical 16 ounce container candle weighs around 1 pound.
Wax Density
The density of wax is a key factor that determines the weight of a candle. Wax comes in different varieties such as paraffin, soy, beeswax, and palm with each having its own density. According to the Armatage Candle Company, most waxes have a density around 86% that of water, or a specific gravity of 0.86 [1]. However, the density can vary between types of wax:
- Paraffin wax tends to have the lowest density at around 0.9 g/cm3
- Soy wax is denser than paraffin, ranging from 0.92-0.94 g/cm3
- Beeswax is one of the densest types of wax at 0.96 g/cm3
- Palm wax density falls between paraffin and soy at 0.91-0.93 g/cm3
The denser the wax, the heavier it will be by volume. Therefore, candles made from denser waxes like beeswax will weigh more than candles of the same volume made from lighter waxes such as paraffin.
Container vs Freestanding
Freestanding candles tend to weigh more than container candles. As explained by Your Candle Store, “For a freestanding candle, simply put the candle on a scale and that is how many kgs the candle weighs. For a container candle, you need to weigh the empty container first, then weigh it again with wax and subtract the empty container weight.”
The reason freestanding candles often weigh more is because they require more wax to create the full form and hold their shape without a container. The wax serves as both the fuel source and the structure. Container candles, on the other hand, rely on the container to provide shape and structure, so they require less wax overall.
According to Lone Star Candle Supply, when calculating how much wax is needed for container candles, it’s important to consider the volume of the containers and the standard weight per volume of the wax. The container holds the shape, so the wax only needs to fill the container.
Candle Wick
The wick is a key component of candles that aids in even and complete burning. Wicks are typically made from materials like cotton, paper, or wood. While wicks don’t make up a large percentage of a candle’s total weight, the type and length of wick used can add some weight.
According to candle making experts, longer wicks that extend deeper into candle wax will weigh slightly more than shorter wicks [1]. Thicker wicks also add more weight compared to thinner ones. However, most standard wicks only account for 1-3 grams of a candle’s total weight.
When calculating candle weights, many candle makers exclude the wick weight entirely and only factor in the wax weight [2]. But for precision or compliance reasons, the small amount of wick weight can be included.
Additives
Extra ingredients like fragrances and dyes can add a significant amount of weight to candles. According to a study from the Environmental Working Group, chemicals and additives in foods can act as obesogens and contribute to weight gain in humans. While the research on candle additives is limited, the addition of fragrances, dyes, hardeners, and other common candle ingredients likely increases the overall weight of a candle in a similar way. More additives mean more molecules present in the candle wax, increasing its overall mass.
Additives like stearic acid and Vybar improve hardness and burn time but using too much can make candles too heavy, according to Highland Candle Company. Candle makers need to find the right balance when adding extra ingredients to optimize burn properties without creating an excessively heavy candle. In summary, additional candle additives will increase the total weight, so unscented, undyed pillars and votives generally weigh less than more complex blended candles.
Source: https://highlandcandlecompany.com/candle-additives-types-chemistry-and-effects/
Average Weight By Brand
When looking at popular candle brands like Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works, most of their standard large jar candles weigh between 22-24 ounces. According to Yankee Candle’s product pages, their 22 oz large jar candles weigh approximately 2 pounds filled[1]. Meanwhile, Bath & Body Works lists their 24 oz candles as weighing 1.9 pounds[2]. So there is some slight variation in average weights between top brands, but most standard large jars fall in the 22-24 oz range.
There are also differences between fragrance types. For example, Yankee Candle’s floral or fruity candles tend to be around 22 oz, while their woodsy or musky candles are often 24 oz. But overall, popular large jar candles hover right around 1.9-2.2 lbs filled.
Factors That Don’t Affect Weight
Certain factors like color, scent, label, and shape do not affect the weight of a candle if the diameter remains the same.
The color of the wax has no bearing on the weight of a candle. Whether a candle is dyed a deep red or left in its natural off-white, the wax density remains unchanged. The pigments and dyes used to add color are minimal and do not contribute to weight.
Similarly, the fragrance or scent of a candle does not factor into the weight. Though essential oils and fragrances are added, the amounts needed to scent a candle are negligible. Usually 1-2 ounces of fragrance oil is added per pound of wax.
Factors like labels and decorations also do not change the weight. The paper and adhesives used are lightweight. Even decorative elements like crystals or glitter weigh next to nothing and can be considered zero for practical purposes.
The shape of the candle whether round, square, or rectangular does not matter if the diameter or dimensions remain consistent. For example, a 4″ diameter by 3″ tall pillar candle will weigh the same as a 4″ by 3″ cube candle. The wax volume remains the same.
Conclusion
In summary, the average weight of a candle can vary greatly depending on factors like the candle type, wax density, container size, and additives. However, some general guidelines for typical candle weights are:
- Container candles often range from 4-8 ounces.
- Pillar candles are around 6-12 ounces.
- Votive and tealight candles weigh approximately 1.5-3 ounces.
- Soy wax candles tend to be 20-30% lighter than paraffin candles.
- Candles with lots of additives like scent and dye will be heavier.
So while there is no single definitive average candle weight, a typical range seems to be between 3-8 ounces depending on the style. But many factors can cause the weight to vary outside of this range in either direction.
