Free candle pricing calculator
Candle cost calculator
Wax, fragrance, wicks, jars, your time and Etsy fees, already filled in for a batch of 8 oz soy candles. Swap in your own supplier prices and watch the price update.
Free, no signup. See the worked example.
What to count in the cost of a candle
- 1
Wax
Cost it by weight, not by jar size. An "8 oz" jar usually holds a little less than 8 oz of wax, so weigh one filled jar once and use that number.
- 2
Fragrance oil
Usually the priciest ingredient per ounce. Enter what you actually pour per batch; your wax supplier lists the maximum fragrance load it can hold.
- 3
Wicks, jars, lids and labels
Everything that ends up on the shelf, one per candle. Include warning labels if you add them separately.
- 4
Your time
Prepping jars, melting, pouring, wicking, cleanup, photos and listing. Curing time is not hands-on, so leave it out.
- 5
Overhead
Your share of electricity, pouring pitchers, thermometers, and the test candles you burn and never sell.
- 6
Packaging and fees
Boxes, tissue and dunnage per candle, plus the selling fees. On Etsy that is 6.5% + 3% + $0.25 + $0.20 per sale, and the percentages also apply to the shipping you charge.
Worked example
The 8 oz soy candle above, line by line
One batch makes 12. These are the example's prices (illustrative US retail); the calculator above shows the same numbers until you change them.
| Material | You buy | Batch uses | Batch cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soy wax | 10 lb for $32.99 | 84 oz | $17.32 |
| Fragrance oil | 16 oz for $24.00 | 6.5 oz | $9.75 |
| Cotton wicks | 100 each for $9.99 | 12 each | $1.20 |
| Amber jars with lids | 12 each for $19.99 | 12 each | $19.99 |
| Labels | 120 each for $14.99 | 12 each | $1.50 |
| Materials for the batch | $49.76 | ||
Cost to make one
- Materials ($49.76 ÷ 12)
- $4.15
- Your time (2 h × $20.00 ÷ 12)
- $3.33
- Overhead ($6.00 ÷ 12)
- $0.50
- Packaging
- $1.25
- Cost to make one
- $9.23
The pricing formula
price = (cost + per-order fee) ÷ (1 − fee % − margin)
($9.23 + $0.45) ÷ (1 − 9.5% − 35%) = $17.44
Rounded up to a .99 ending: $17.99. Etsy (US) fees at that price are $2.16, and you keep $6.60 (37% margin, 72% markup) after paying yourself.
Wholesale at a 25% margin with no marketplace fees: $12.31, so a shop would likely sell it for about $24.62.
Charging shipping? If you charge $5.99 shipping per order, Etsy (US)'s 9.5% also applies to it: another $0.57 per order. Enter it in step 4 and the price for the same margin becomes $18.99.
Pricing tips
- Price the candle you sell most first, then save it in a slot so you can compare scents with different fragrance costs.
- Wholesale needs its own margin: shops usually double your wholesale price, so check the shelf price still looks right for your market.
- If you raise prices, the "What you charge now" field shows exactly how much more you keep per sale.
Not sure about margin and markup? See the difference with your own numbers.
Your products
Free saves up to 3 products in this browser. Pro unlocks unlimited saved products.
Straight answers
How much does it cost to make one soy candle?
In this example, one 8 oz soy candle costs $9.23 to make: $4.15 in materials, $3.33 for your time, $0.50 overhead and $1.25 packaging. Your number depends on your supplier prices and jar size, so replace the example values with yours.
Does Etsy charge fees on shipping for candles?
Yes. Etsy's 6.5% transaction fee and its 3% payment processing fee apply to the shipping and gift wrap you charge, not just the item price. Enter the shipping you charge per order in step 4 and the calculator includes those fees.
What profit margin should I use for candles?
There is no single right number. The calculator starts at a 35% margin after it has already paid your hourly rate, so the profit is extra money for the business. Raise it if you plan to sell wholesale or run Etsy ads.
Should curing time count as labor?
No. Count only the hours you are actually working: prepping, pouring, wicking, cleanup and packing. Curing shelf space can go into overhead if it costs you anything.
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