Guides, calculators and supplies for making candles at home · Stock checked on Amazon

🕯️ Step-by-step candle making projects

Pick what you want to make. Each tutorial tells you which wax, wick and fragrance oil to use, how much of each, the temperatures and the most common mistakes.

Great for beginners

Scented jar candles A homemade candle with real scent throw comes down to three things: the right wax, the right fragrance load and a proper cure. Here's the complete method for your first batch. Easy ⏱ 60 min ⏳ 14-day cure

Soy candles Soy wax is the go-to for beginners: it's plant-based, cleans up with hot soapy water and throws scent well. It does have its quirks, though. Here's how to get the temperatures right for smooth, good-looking soy candles. Easy ⏱ 60 min ⏳ 14-day cure

Wax melts Wax melts are the most rewarding first project: no wick, a higher fragrance load than a candle and a full tray ready in about half an hour. All you need to enjoy them is a wax warmer. Easy ⏱ 45 min ⏳ 7-day cure

Rolled beeswax candles Rolled candles are the fastest, safest project in candle making: no melting wax, no thermometers. All you need are beeswax sheets, a wick and your hands. Easy ⏱ 20 min

Candles in tins Tin candles are light, unbreakable and come with a lid: perfect for travel, gifting or selling. They're also the most budget-friendly way to make a lot of candles in one afternoon. Easy ⏱ 45 min ⏳ 14-day cure

Tealight candles Tealights are tiny, quick to make and perfect for warmers, lanterns and party tables. With a little setup you can fill two dozen in under an hour. Easy ⏱ 40 min ⏳ 7-day cure Citronella candles Citronella candles are a summer patio classic. Their bright, lemony-herbal scent sets the mood outdoors, but keep in mind they're a scented candle, not a guaranteed bug repellent. Easy ⏱ 60 min ⏳ 7-day cure

Recycled candles Those candle stubs stuck at the bottom of old jars still have plenty of life left. With a little sorting you can turn them into brand-new candles and reuse the jars while you're at it. Easy ⏱ 60 min ⏳ 3-day cure

Intermediate level

Massage candles A massage candle burns for a few minutes and its wax turns into a warm oil for the skin. The recipe is simple, but it calls for cosmetic-grade ingredients and close attention to temperature. Intermediate ⏱ 45 min ⏳ 2-day cure

Beeswax candles Beeswax smells like honey on its own, burns with a warm glow and lasts a long time. It's fussier than soy, but with the right blend and the right wick you'll get gorgeous candles. Intermediate ⏱ 60 min ⏳ 3-day cure

Pillar candles Pillar candles stand on their own, no container needed. They're the most decorative candles you can make, and with the right hard wax and a second pour they come out smooth and clean from the very first batch. Intermediate ⏱ 90 min ⏳ 7-day cure

Floating candles Floating candles turn a simple bowl of water into a stunning centerpiece. The secret is a hard wax, a wide, low shape and a wick that's firmly set. Intermediate ⏱ 60 min ⏳ 2-day cure

For when you have some practice

Taper candles Taper candles are the most elegant candles you can make and also the most demanding: they need to come out straight, burn without dripping and fit the candleholder. With a good mold and some patience, you'll get there. Advanced ⏱ 120 min ⏳ 2-day cure

Gel candles Gel candles are crystal clear, so you can build little scenes inside the glass. They're stunning, but they call for more precision and more caution than a wax candle. Advanced ⏱ 75 min ⏳ 1-day cure