Candle Pricing Calculator

Calculate accurate pricing for your handmade candles with our comprehensive cost analysis tool

Calculate Your Candle Costs

Our candle pricing calculator helps you determine the right price point by accounting for all costs:

Material Costs

  • • Wax (soy, paraffin, beeswax)
  • • Wicks and wick tabs
  • • Fragrance oils
  • • Containers and jars
  • • Labels and packaging
  • • Dyes and additives

Business Costs

  • • Labor and production time
  • • Overhead (rent, utilities)
  • • Equipment depreciation
  • • Insurance and licenses
  • • Marketing expenses
  • • Desired profit margin

Pricing Formula

Retail Price = (Materials + Labor + Overhead) × Markup Factor

Typical Markups: Budget candles 2.5-3x, Premium 4-6x, Luxury 6-10x

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I price handmade candles?

Calculate: (Wax + Wicks + Fragrance + Container + Labels) + Labor + Overhead × Markup = Retail Price. Factor in production time, testing costs, and market positioning for profitable pricing.

What is a good profit margin for candles?

Target 50-70% profit margin for retail sales. Small batch makers: 50-60%, Established brands: 60-70%, Wholesale: 30-40%. Material costs should be 20-30% of retail price.

How much should I charge for labor per candle?

Calculate hourly rate based on skill level: Beginner $15-20/hour, Intermediate $20-35/hour, Expert $35-50/hour. Include pouring time, cooling monitoring, labeling, and packaging.

What markup should I use for candles?

Standard markup is 3-5x material costs. Budget candles: 2.5-3x, Premium candles: 4-6x, Luxury/custom candles: 6-10x. Higher markups require superior quality, branding, and customer experience.

Ready to Calculate?

Use our general craft pricing calculator to analyze your candle business costs and determine optimal pricing.

Go to Pricing Calculator