Free printable
Candle wax and fragrance chart for common jar sizes
An 8 fl oz jar filled to 90% takes about 6 oz of wax and 0.48 oz of fragrance oil at an 8% fragrance load. A 16 fl oz jar takes about 12 oz of wax and 0.96 oz of oil. The chart below covers 2 to 16 oz jars at 6%, 8% and 10% fragrance loads, in ounces and grams. Download the printable version to keep by your pouring station.
| Jar capacity | Total pour | Wax | Fragrance oil (6%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 fl oz59 ml | 1.61 oz46 g | 1.52 oz43 g | 0.09 oz3 g |
| 4 fl oz118 ml | 3.23 oz92 g | 3.05 oz86 g | 0.18 oz5 g |
| 6 fl oz177 ml | 4.84 oz137 g | 4.57 oz130 g | 0.27 oz8 g |
| 8 fl oz237 ml | 6.46 oz183 g | 6.09 oz173 g | 0.37 oz10 g |
| 9 fl oz266 ml | 7.27 oz206 g | 6.86 oz194 g | 0.41 oz12 g |
| 10 fl oz296 ml | 8.07 oz229 g | 7.62 oz216 g | 0.46 oz13 g |
| 12 fl oz355 ml | 9.69 oz275 g | 9.14 oz259 g | 0.55 oz16 g |
| 14 fl oz414 ml | 11.30 oz320 g | 10.66 oz302 g | 0.64 oz18 g |
| 16 fl oz473 ml | 12.92 oz366 g | 12.19 oz346 g | 0.73 oz21 g |
| Jar capacity | Total pour | Wax | Fragrance oil (8%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 fl oz59 ml | 1.61 oz46 g | 1.50 oz42 g | 0.12 oz3 g |
| 4 fl oz118 ml | 3.23 oz92 g | 2.99 oz85 g | 0.24 oz7 g |
| 6 fl oz177 ml | 4.84 oz137 g | 4.49 oz127 g | 0.36 oz10 g |
| 8 fl oz237 ml | 6.46 oz183 g | 5.98 oz170 g | 0.48 oz14 g |
| 9 fl oz266 ml | 7.27 oz206 g | 6.73 oz191 g | 0.54 oz15 g |
| 10 fl oz296 ml | 8.07 oz229 g | 7.48 oz212 g | 0.60 oz17 g |
| 12 fl oz355 ml | 9.69 oz275 g | 8.97 oz254 g | 0.72 oz20 g |
| 14 fl oz414 ml | 11.30 oz320 g | 10.47 oz297 g | 0.84 oz24 g |
| 16 fl oz473 ml | 12.92 oz366 g | 11.96 oz339 g | 0.96 oz27 g |
| Jar capacity | Total pour | Wax | Fragrance oil (10%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 fl oz59 ml | 1.61 oz46 g | 1.47 oz42 g | 0.15 oz4 g |
| 4 fl oz118 ml | 3.23 oz92 g | 2.94 oz83 g | 0.29 oz8 g |
| 6 fl oz177 ml | 4.84 oz137 g | 4.40 oz125 g | 0.44 oz12 g |
| 8 fl oz237 ml | 6.46 oz183 g | 5.87 oz166 g | 0.59 oz17 g |
| 9 fl oz266 ml | 7.27 oz206 g | 6.61 oz187 g | 0.66 oz19 g |
| 10 fl oz296 ml | 8.07 oz229 g | 7.34 oz208 g | 0.73 oz21 g |
| 12 fl oz355 ml | 9.69 oz275 g | 8.81 oz250 g | 0.88 oz25 g |
| 14 fl oz414 ml | 11.30 oz320 g | 10.28 oz291 g | 1.03 oz29 g |
| 16 fl oz473 ml | 12.92 oz366 g | 11.74 oz333 g | 1.17 oz33 g |
Total pour is the wax and fragrance oil together, the full weight that fills the jar to 90% of its brim capacity. Fragrance load is a percentage of the wax weight, the way most US suppliers state it.
How the chart is calculated
Each row uses the same formula as the wax & fragrance calculator:
- Water weight at 90% fill: jar capacity × 1.04 oz per fluid ounce × 0.90.
- Total pour: water weight × 0.86, because melted wax weighs about 86% as much as water.
- Split the pour into wax and oil so the candle still reaches the fill line.
Wax = total pour ÷ (1 + fragrance load)
Fragrance oil = wax × fragrance load
For the reasoning behind each step, read how much wax a candle jar needs.
When to measure your own jar instead
Jar labels are approximate, and two "8 oz" jars from different makers can hold noticeably different amounts. Tapered tumblers, tins and vintage containers rarely match their nominal size. For exact amounts, weigh the water your jar holds up to your fill line and enter it in the calculator. The calculator also handles fragrance load as a percentage of total weight, other wax factors and any batch size.
Use this chart on your site
You're welcome to share the chart on your blog, class handout or shop page. Copy the code below to show the chart image with a credit link.
Add the calculator to your site
Teaching a candle class or running a supply shop? Add the free wax & fragrance calculator to any page. It works in ounces and grams, and visitors' numbers stay in their own browser.
Frequently asked questions
How much wax do I need for a 12 oz candle jar?
A 12 fl oz jar filled to 90% takes about 9.7 oz of wax and fragrance oil together. At an 8% fragrance load that is about 9 oz of wax and 0.72 oz of fragrance oil, or 254 g of wax and 20 g of oil.
Why does an 8 oz jar take less than 8 oz of wax?
Jar sizes are fluid ounces of volume, usually measured to the brim, while wax is weighed. Melted wax weighs about 86% as much as water, and candles are filled below the rim, so an 8 fl oz jar takes about 6.5 oz of wax and oil.
What if my supplier states fragrance load as a percentage of total weight?
The chart uses percent of wax weight, so its oil amounts will be a little low for a total-weight rating. For example, 10% of total weight equals about 11.1% of wax weight. The calculator can switch to percent of total weight for exact amounts.
Can I print this chart or share it?
Yes. The PDF is free to print for personal use, classes and workshops. If you share it online, please link back to this page so readers can find the calculator and updates.