When it comes to making candles or wax melts that perform well and are safe to use, you need to know the melting point of the candle wax.

However, because there are quite a few different types of wax to choose from, it isn’t always easy to know the melting point of each one, unless you have a lot of experience.

Here we answer the question, “What is the melting point of wax?” as well as the pouring and fragrance points for the most popular types of wax, so you can decide which one is best suited to your candles and melts.

What is the melting point of wax?

There is no single melting point of candle wax, as it depends on the type of wax you are using to make the candle. Before you start candle making or wax melt making, you can use the information below as a melting point guideline, so you have a better idea of its performance properties.

Soy wax

Soy wax is one of the most popular types of waxes used to make candles and is a 100% natural option. It is made from soybeans which makes it a green, sustainable option and it has a melting point of 45-54°C (113-127°F), which is lower than most, allowing it to last longer.

• Pouring point: 82-85°C (180-185°F)
• Fragrance added: 48-60°C (120-140°F)
• Cure time: 3-4 days (max 2 weeks)

Beeswax

Another great natural option for candle making is beeswax, which is made completely from bee’s wax. It has a very high melting point of 62-65°C (44-149°F) and is regarded as being a hard wax. Because there are no chemical compounds in beeswax it is biodegradable and very eco-friendly, and it also does not produce a lot of smoke whilst being burnt.

• Melting point: 68-71°C (155-160°F)
• Fragrance added: 71-74°C (160-165°F)
• Cure time: 2 days

Coconut wax

To make it suitable for candle making, coconut wax is usually blended with soy wax. Like soy and beeswax this is also a natural option, with no chemicals added to the material. This helps the wax to retain its form and retain the fragrance for a better scent throw. The melting point for coconut wax is 51-53°C (124F-127°F).

• Pouring point: 43-54°C (110-130°F)
• Fragrance added: 54°C (130°F)
• Cure time: 1-2 days

Gel wax

Gel wax can be used to make both candles and wax melts and has a very high melting point of around 82°C (180°F). This type of wax tends to offer quite a long burn time and can outlast traditional wax candles and melts. However, it does contain a crude oil by-product of refined crude oil, which doesn’t make them an eco-friendly option.

• Pouring point: 85-93°C (110-130°F)
• Fragrance added: 76°C (130°F) for flash point fragrances
• Cure time: 1-2 days

Paraffin wax

You’ll find that paraffin wax is the most widely used wax for commercial products as it is also the cheapest. It has a melting point of 46-61°C (115-142°F) and does a good job of holding colour and scents to produce a strong scent throw. The major downside of paraffin candles is that they are not natural and emit carcinogens and other pollutants.

• Pouring point: 43-54°C (110-130°F)
• Fragrance added: 54°C (130°F)
• Cure time: 1-2 days

Is candle wax bad for your health?

Whilst some waxes, such as paraffin and gel wax do release paraffin and other toxic chemicals, it is also important to highlight that the European Candle Manufacturers Association (ECMA) has previously stated that no reputable scientific study has shown that candle wax of any kind, including paraffin, is harmful to humans.

The ECMA conducted a further study in 2007 that checked all major types of candle wax for 300 toxic chemicals and found that the level of chemicals released would not be harmful to human health.

Now that you have the melting, pour and fragrance points for all the main types of wax, all you need to do now is to get your ingredients in order and get creative. If you want a purely natural candle, then soy, beeswax or coconut wax is the way to go, and you won’t have any concerns about toxic emissions. All wax can be recycled for use again, so remember to hang onto it once you have finished the candle or melt, because remelting it into a new candle couldn’t be easier!