Layered Candle Calculator
A 200 ml vessel filled to 90% holds 180 ml, or 162 g of wax. Split into three layers that is 60 ml and 54 g each. For uneven layers, take this figure and apply a ratio to each — a thicker bottom layer puts the visual weight low and looks steadier.
Your numbers
Wax per layer
54g
Wax needed
162g
Volume per layer
60mL
Formula
Wax per layer = Container volume × Fill level ÷ 100 × Wax density ÷ Layers
Pour the next layer when the surface below has set enough that a finger leaves no mark. Pour onto a soft layer and the colours bleed; pour onto a fully cold one and the layers do not bond, so they split when burned. Different fragrances per layer are a poor idea — the burn warms the layers below and mixes them anyway.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Container volume (mL)What the vessel holds; filling it with water is the accurate way. | 200 | 1 and up |
| LayersHow many separate pours; each one waits for the last to set. | 3 | 1 ~ 10 |
| Fill level (%)How far up you fill; the top stays clear. | 90 | 10 ~ 100 |
| Wax density (g/cm³)Grams per cm³ of wax — soy near 0.9, paraffin a little more. | 0.9 | 0.5 ~ 1.2 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Container volume (mL) changes and everything else stays put.
| Container volume (mL) | Wax per layer (g) | Wax needed (g) | Volume per layer (mL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 27 | 81 | 30 |
| 150 | 40.5 | 122 | 45 |
| 200 | 54 | 162 | 60 |
| 300 | 81 | 243 | 90 |
| 400 | 108 | 324 | 120 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Wax per layer (g)Wax per pour, assuming the layers are all the same depth. | 54 |
| Wax needed (g)The wax to melt, by weight. | 162 |
| Volume per layer (mL)The volume one layer takes, so you can pour to a mark in the jug. | 60 |
Common mistakes
Pour the next layer when the surface below has set enough that a finger leaves no mark. Pour onto a soft layer and the colours bleed; pour onto a fully cold one and the layers do not bond, so they split when burned. Different fragrances per layer are a poor idea — the burn warms the layers below and mixes them anyway.
Glossary
- Container volume
- What the vessel holds; filling it with water is the accurate way.
- Layers
- How many separate pours; each one waits for the last to set.
- Fill level
- How far up you fill; the top stays clear.
- Wax density
- Grams per cm³ of wax — soy near 0.9, paraffin a little more.
- Wax per layer
- Wax per pour, assuming the layers are all the same depth.
- Wax needed
- The wax to melt, by weight.
- Volume per layer
- The volume one layer takes, so you can pour to a mark in the jug.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Layered Candle Calculator calculated?
Wax per layer = Container volume × Fill level ÷ 100 × Wax density ÷ Layers — A 200 ml vessel filled to 90% holds 180 ml, or 162 g of wax. Split into three layers that is 60 ml and 54 g each. For uneven layers, take this figure and apply a ratio to each — a thicker bottom layer puts the visual weight low and looks steadier.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Container volume 200mL, Layers 3, Fill level 90%, Wax density 0.9g/cm³, the answer is Wax per layer 54g.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Container volume, Layers, Fill level, Wax density. 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 Container volume (mL) moves the answer to Container volume (mL) 100 → Wax per layer (g) 27 and Container volume (mL) 400 → Wax per layer (g) 108. 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?
Pour the next layer when the surface below has set enough that a finger leaves no mark. Pour onto a soft layer and the colours bleed; pour onto a fully cold one and the layers do not bond, so they split when burned. Different fragrances per layer are a poor idea — the burn warms the layers below and mixes them anyway.
Related calculators
Materials differ in density and absorption. If your label states a figure, use it — the defaults here are only common values.