Understanding how long your altar candles will burn is essential for planning your church services and managing your supply inventory. The burn rate of an altar candle depends on several factors, and we've compiled this guide to help you make informed decisions about which candles work best for your needs.
What Affects Burn Rate?
Altar candle burn rates vary significantly from candle to candle and are greatly affected by atmospheric conditions in your church. Factors such as air circulation, humidity, temperature, and ventilation all play a role in how quickly a candle burns. Additionally, the type of wax used—whether beeswax or stearine—makes a substantial difference in burn time.
All data in our burn rate chart assumes the use of a candle follower when burning and is expressed as an average. A candle follower helps regulate the burn by controlling airflow around the flame, which promotes more consistent and predictable burn rates.
Understanding the Chart
The chart below shows hours per inch of candle height for two common altar candle materials: 51% beeswax and stearine. To calculate the total burn time for your candle, simply multiply the hours per inch by the total height of your candle in inches.
For example, a 12-inch beeswax candle with a 1-1/2" diameter would burn approximately 54.84 hours (4.57 hours per inch × 12 inches).
Burn Rate Reference
|
Candle Diameter |
Hours Per Inch |
Hours Per Inch |
| 7/8" | 2.25 | 1.26 |
| 1" | 2.6 | 1.45 |
| 1-1/4" | 3.8 | 2.12 |
| 1-1/2" | 4.57 | 2.56 |
| 2" | 6.62 | 3.71 |
| 2-1/2" | 9.59 | 5.35 |
| 3" | 13.89 | 7.7 |
| 3-1/2" | 19.28 | N/A |
Beeswax vs. Stearine
As you can see from the chart, beeswax candles burn significantly longer than stearine candles of the same diameter. A 51% beeswax candle will typically provide nearly twice the burn time compared to a stearine alternative. This longer burn time, combined with the natural light and pleasant aroma of beeswax, makes it a popular choice for many churches, though stearine candles offer a more economical option.
Using This Guide
This information is meant as a guide to help you plan your candle purchases and usage. Keep in mind that your specific results may vary based on your church's unique environment. We recommend testing candles in your space and keeping records of actual burn times to develop a more precise understanding of how different candles perform in your particular setting.