What is a good profit margin on candles?
Most handmade candle sellers target a 50% to 65% gross profit margin at retail. Below about 50%, fees, the occasional broken or returned candle, and your own time start eating the profit until you are effectively working for free. Pricing at roughly 3× to 4× your true cost lands you comfortably in the healthy range.
Margin vs markup — they are not the same
This trips up a lot of makers. Markup measures profit against your cost; margin measures it against your selling price. A candle that costs $10 and sells for $20 has a 100% markup but only a 50% margin. The calculator shows both so you can speak the same language as shops and wholesalers.
Margin reference table
| Markup | Multiple | Resulting margin |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 2× | 50% |
| 200% | 3× | 67% |
| 300% | 4× | 75% |
| 400% | 5× | 80% |
Frequently asked questions
What is a good profit margin on candles?
Aim for 50–65% at retail. Use the calculator above to check whether your current price clears that bar.
What is the difference between margin and markup?
Markup is profit as a percent of cost; margin is profit as a percent of price. A 2× price (100% markup) is a 50% margin.