How Long Should a Candle Burn?

How long should a candle burn?

New Zealand makers publish 55 to 80 hours in total for candles between 250ml and 360g. For a single session, follow the maker: Living Light says its granite pillars should burn no more than three hours at a time, and that a first burn needs three to four hours to set the memory.

Last checked 15 September 2026 against Earth Candles

Updated 15 September 2026 · About 5 minutes to read · Written by NZ Candles

How many hours does a candle burn in total?

It scales roughly with size, on the three New Zealand candles we found with a published figure. Earth Candles says its 360g wine bottle candle burns "up to 80 hours". Nevé says its large 320g candle burns "up to 65 hours". Lucy King says its 250ml candle has an "approx. burn time: 55 hours". National Candles sells a candle it calls, straightforwardly, the Seven Hour Candle.

Published total burn times, New Zealand makers, 15 September 2026
Candle	Size	Maker's stated burn time	Hours per 100g or 100ml
Earth Candles wine bottle candle	360g	Up to 80 hours	About 22
Nevé large	320g	Up to 65 hours	About 20
Lucy King	250ml	About 55 hours	About 22

The hours-per-100 column is our arithmetic on the makers' own figures, and mixes grams with millilitres because that is how the makers state them. It is a rough guide only: 20–22 hours per 100g is the pattern across all three.

That gives a usable rule of thumb for an NZ soy candle in a jar: roughly 20 hours per 100 grams, at the maker's maximum. A 200g candle that claims 60 hours is claiming more than the pattern; one that claims 30 is claiming less.

How long should you burn a candle in one sitting?

Whatever its maker says, and the answer varies by candle type. Living Light says its Granite Pillar candles "should burn for no more than 3 hours each time". The same maker says a first burn should run 3 to 4 hours so the candle sets its memory. Those two are not in conflict — the first burn is the exception that earns the extra hour.

Why won't my candle reach its stated hours?

Because "up to" assumes a full melt pool every time, and most candles never get one. Wax left clinging to the sides of the jar is burn time you paid for and never used — see why candles tunnel. Draughts make it worse: the National Candle Association says to avoid placing candles near open windows, fans or air vents, which pull the flame sideways and burn the wax unevenly.

The other reason is that you're meant to stop early. Living Light says to stop burning a soy candle 1cm before the bottom of the jar, and the NCA says stop when half an inch of wax remains. That last bit of wax is in the stated total but is not yours to burn.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours does a 300g candle burn?

On the pattern of the three NZ candles that publish a figure — about 20 to 22 hours per 100g — a 300g candle would be somewhere near 60 to 66 hours at its maximum. Check the maker's own number; that pattern is drawn from three candles, not a study.

Is it bad to burn a candle for eight hours?

Living Light caps its granite pillars at three hours a session, so for that candle, yes. For others we can't tell you, because we could not source a general maximum from any authority. What is universal from the National Candle Association: never leave a burning candle unattended, whatever the duration.

How long should the first burn be?

Living Light says 3 to 4 hours, long enough to create a large melt pool and "set the memory". Get this wrong once and the candle will tunnel for the rest of its life.

Does a bigger candle burn longer per gram?

Not on the three we could calculate — they all land around 20 to 22 hours per 100g whether the candle is 250ml or 360g. Bigger candles buy you more total hours, not better value per gram.

When should I stop burning it?

Before the jar runs dry: 1cm from the bottom according to Living Light, half an inch according to the National Candle Association. Full detail on candle care and safety.