How Long Do Beeswax Candles Burn? A Comprehensive Guide

Some candles, especially those made from paraffin can burn down pretty quickly and so when I switched to using beeswax candles, how long do beeswax candles burn for was one of the first questions I wanted to answer. As always I did some research to find out.

The burn time of beeswax candles will depend on the size and quality of the candle however as a general rule beeswax candles burn longer than soy and paraffin candles. On average a 4oz beeswax candle will burn for around 20-25 hours and a 16oz candle will burn for about 80-100 hours.

I’ve seen a huge increase in people choosing to use beeswax candles over the other mainstream candle types and one strong reason is the longer burn times.

So let’s get into the detail and I’ll also try to answer some other related questions along the way.

But before we do if you are concerned in any way about the safety of beeswax candles then why not read my other article Are Beeswax Candles Safe for Us, Our Kids and Our Pets? next?

How Long Does a Beeswax Candle Burn?

Of course, it’s really difficult to answer this question because all candles are not the same.

I think most people ask this question (as I did originally) to understand if beeswax candles burn quickly, or at least quicker than say, soy or paraffin candles.

As a material, beeswax is generally harder than soy or paraffin and so the beeswax candle will always burn slower due to its higher melting point.

There are some exceptions though.

For example, the length of the wick will have an effect on the burn time.

Whether your lit candle is in a draft or has greater airflow around it.

To be honest, it’s not an exact science by far and you shouldn’t worry about it too much!

How Does Quality Affect Burn Time?

You can imagine that if your beeswax candle is not made from 100% beeswax then depending on what other materials are present, your candle is most likely to burn quicker.

This is simple to avoid of course, just look for the ingredients on the manufacturers labelling to make sure it’s 100% pure beeswax.

Beeswax Candle Burn Times by Size, Type and Weight

Just to give you some idea of the burn time for various candle types I provided 3 tables below.

Please note though, as mentioned this is not an exact science so the burn times mentioned in this article are approximate and may vary depending on various factors such as quality, wick size, draft, and airflow amongst others.

Candle Size | Burn Time

Candle Size	Burn Time
1-inch diameter	3-5 hours
2-inch diameter	8-10 hours
3-inch diameter	12-15 hours

Candle Type | Burn Time

Candle Type	Burn Time
Tealight Candle	3-5 hours
Taper Candle	6-8 hours
Votive Candle	8-10 hours
Pillar Candle	10-14 hours

Candle Weight (oz) | Burn Time

Candle Weight	Burn Time
4oz	20-25 hours
8oz	40-50 hours
12oz	60-75 hours
16oz	80-100 hours

Burning Beeswax Benefits

So apart from the extended burn times, what other benefits do beeswax candles offer?

Well firstly, they emit a warm, soothing glow that creates a cosy ambience in any space.

This benefit alone is the reason why I love to burn a natural beeswax candle, it really relaxes me.

Secondly, their natural honey-like fragrance provides a subtle and pleasant scent without artificial additives or essential oils other found in paraffin and soy alternatives.

By the way, If you’re wondering what beeswax candles smell like I’d encourage you to read my article What Do Beeswax Candles Smell Like? From Hive to Home next.

Lastly and importantly, beeswax candles have a clean and even burn.

This ensures they leave behind minimal soot or residue during burning.

Do Beeswax Candles Last Longer?

As a general rule, beeswax candles last longer than paraffin or soy alternatives of the same quality and size due to their high melting point This longer burn time translates to fewer replacements, making beeswax candles a cost-effective choice in the long run.

Common FAQs

Do Beeswax Candles Drip?

Beeswax candles are known for their low-drip or dripless nature. When properly maintained with the appropriate wick length, beeswax candles tend to produce minimal or no drips at all. This quality ensures that your candle-burning experience remains mess-free and enjoyable.

Do Beeswax Candles Clean the Air?

Beeswax candles are renowned for their air-purifying properties. When burned, they release negative ions that bind with and neutralize pollutants such as dust, mould, and mildew, effectively purifying the air in the vicinity.

What I would say though, is that whilst beeswax candles do clean the air to a certain degree if you are looking for a solution to tackle bad cases of mould or mildew then you should probably invest in other more powerful alternatives such as an air purifier.

Conclusion

So there you have it.

I hope this article has cleared up any concerns you might have had about the burn time of beeswax candles.

In my opinion, beeswax candles are great in so many ways and longevity is just one of them so I’d encourage you to try a natural beeswax candle next time you want to relax.

You won’t regret it!