How Long Do Soy Wax Candles Last?
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A soy wax candle burns roughly 7–9 hours per 50g. A 200g jar gives 35–40 hours, a sculpted piece 6–8, and a tealight 4–5. Unburned, a sealed soy candle holds its scent for about 12–18 months before it noticeably fades.
Burn time by format
| Format | Weight | Burn time |
|---|---|---|
| Tealight | 10–15g | 4–5 hours |
| Sculpted piece | 80–150g | 6–8 hours |
| Small jar | 100–150g | 20–28 hours |
| Standard jar | 200g | 35–40 hours |
| Urli float | 20–30g each | 8–10 hours each |
| Wax sachet | 200g | Wickless — 4–6 weeks of scent |
The rough rule is 7–9 hours per 50g of soy wax. Paraffin of the same weight gives noticeably less, because it burns hotter and faster.
What shortens burn time
An untrimmed wick. This is the big one. A wick left long burns a larger flame, consumes wax faster and produces soot. Trimming to 5 mm before every burn can add 20–30% to total burn time — the single highest-return thing you can do.
Draughts. A candle near a fan, an AC vent or an open window burns unevenly and faster. The flame flickers, the pool goes lopsided, and wax is left up the sides.
Very short burns. Lighting a candle for twenty minutes at a time never lets the pool reach the edge, so you tunnel through the middle and strand the outer wax.
How long do they keep unburned?
Soy wax does not spoil, but fragrance does fade. A sealed candle holds its scent well for about 12–18 months. After roughly two years it will still burn perfectly but smell noticeably weaker.
Store lidded, upright, away from sunlight and heat. In Indian summers, a cupboard is better than a shelf near a window.
Getting the most from yours
Trim to 5 mm every time. Give the first burn 2–3 hours so the pool reaches the edge. Keep it out of draughts. Stop burning when about 10 mm of wax remains — below that the vessel gets hot enough to be a risk.
Burn times for each of our candles are listed in the specifications on every product page across the full range.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a 200g soy candle burn?
About 35–40 hours if the wick is trimmed to 5 mm before each burn. Untrimmed, expect closer to 28–32.
Do soy candles last longer than paraffin?
Yes, roughly 30–50% longer for the same weight, because soy burns cooler.
Do candles expire?
They do not spoil, but fragrance fades. Expect 12–18 months of full scent from a sealed candle.
Why did my candle burn out so fast?
Most often an untrimmed wick or a draught. Both make the flame larger and consume wax faster.
Should I burn a candle all the way down?
Stop when about 10 mm of wax remains. Below that the vessel can get hot enough to crack or scorch the surface underneath.
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About the author
Richa Sharma is the founder and CEO of Candles by Midnight. She started the business in 2025 and hand-crafts every candle herself in her workshop in Ludhiana, Punjab, working with 100% GMO-free soya wax and curing each batch for ten days before it ships.