The short answer
Add up every material in one candle, then price at at least 2× that cost for wholesale and 3× for retail.
These are common rules of thumb, not laws. Treat them as a floor, then adjust for your time, your market and what similar candles sell for.
What goes into the cost of one candle
- Wax: the weight you pour, times your price per pound
- Fragrance oil: ounces used, times your price per ounce
- Jar or tin, wick, and label or box
- Easy to forget: dye, wick stickers, shipping supplies, marketplace and payment fees, and your time
A worked example
An 8 oz jar filled to 85% at an 8% fragrance load takes about 5.65 oz of wax and 0.45 oz of fragrance oil. With wax at $3.50 a pound, fragrance at $2.25 an ounce, a $1.60 jar, a $0.15 wick and $0.50 for the label and box, materials come to about $4.50.
| Price point | Price | Kept per candle, before fees |
|---|---|---|
| 2× cost (wholesale floor) | $9.00 | $4.50 |
| 3× cost (retail floor) | $13.51 | $9.00 |
| $18 retail | $18.00 | $13.50 |
Example prices only. Plug in your own supply costs in the calculator for real numbers.
Common questions
How do you price a candle?
Add up your materials for one candle (wax, fragrance, jar, wick, label and packaging), then price at least 2× that cost for wholesale and 3× for retail as a starting floor.
What is a good profit margin for candles?
At a 3× retail price, materials are about a third of the price, leaving roughly two thirds before fees, time and shipping. Your real margin depends on those extras.
Should I include my time in the price?
Yes. The 2× and 3× floors cover materials, not labor. If a batch takes hours, build your time into the price or you're paying yourself nothing.
More quick answers
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