Candle Dye Calculator
Dye normally runs 0.1–1% of the wax weight. Half a per cent of 500 g is 2.5 g — a fingernail-sized piece of a dye block. Add 8% fragrance and the wax is carrying 8.5% in total, and it is that total the manufacturer's maximum load has to be compared against.
Your numbers
Dye
2.5g
Fragrance oil
40g
Total additive load
8.5%
Formula
Dye = Wax needed × Dye load ÷ 100
Dye and fragrance compete for the same capacity in the wax. Deepening the colour while the fragrance is already at maximum leaves oil weeping on the surface or clogs the wick. Do not use wax crayons — the pigment particles do not dissolve and choke the wick. Coloured wax lightens a shade as it sets, so judge the colour cold, not molten.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Wax needed (g)The wax to melt, by weight. | 500 | 1 and up |
| Dye load (%)Dye as a share of the wax weight, normally between 0.1 and 1%. | 0.5 | 0 ~ 5 |
| Fragrance load (%)Fragrance as a share of the wax, not of the finished candle. | 8 | 0 ~ 20 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Wax needed (g) changes and everything else stays put.
| Wax needed (g) | Dye (g) | Fragrance oil (g) | Total additive load (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 1.25 | 20 | 8.5 |
| 375 | 1.88 | 30 | 8.5 |
| 500 | 2.5 | 40 | 8.5 |
| 750 | 3.75 | 60 | 8.5 |
| 1,000 | 5 | 80 | 8.5 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Dye (g)How much dye to weigh in; cut a block down to hit the weight. | 2.5 |
| Fragrance oil (g)Fragrance oil by weight; do not measure it by volume. | 40 |
| Total additive load (%)Fragrance and dye together — this is the figure to compare with the wax's ceiling. | 8.5 |
Common mistakes
Dye and fragrance compete for the same capacity in the wax. Deepening the colour while the fragrance is already at maximum leaves oil weeping on the surface or clogs the wick. Do not use wax crayons — the pigment particles do not dissolve and choke the wick. Coloured wax lightens a shade as it sets, so judge the colour cold, not molten.
Glossary
- Wax needed
- The wax to melt, by weight.
- Dye load
- Dye as a share of the wax weight, normally between 0.1 and 1%.
- Fragrance load
- Fragrance as a share of the wax, not of the finished candle.
- Dye
- How much dye to weigh in; cut a block down to hit the weight.
- Fragrance oil
- Fragrance oil by weight; do not measure it by volume.
- Total additive load
- Fragrance and dye together — this is the figure to compare with the wax's ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Candle Dye Calculator calculated?
Dye = Wax needed × Dye load ÷ 100 — Dye normally runs 0.1–1% of the wax weight. Half a per cent of 500 g is 2.5 g — a fingernail-sized piece of a dye block. Add 8% fragrance and the wax is carrying 8.5% in total, and it is that total the manufacturer's maximum load has to be compared against.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Wax needed 500g, Dye load 0.5%, Fragrance load 8%, the answer is Dye 2.5g.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Wax needed, Dye load, Fragrance load. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Wax needed (g) moves the answer to Wax needed (g) 250 → Dye (g) 1.25 and Wax needed (g) 1,000 → Dye (g) 5. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
Dye and fragrance compete for the same capacity in the wax. Deepening the colour while the fragrance is already at maximum leaves oil weeping on the surface or clogs the wick. Do not use wax crayons — the pigment particles do not dissolve and choke the wick. Coloured wax lightens a shade as it sets, so judge the colour cold, not molten.
Related calculators
Materials differ in density and absorption. If your label states a figure, use it — the defaults here are only common values.