Paraffin is the workhorse of candle wax: it takes fragrance and color well, releases cleanly from molds, and gives a strong hot throw. The catch is that "paraffin wax" is not one product. Each grade is refined and blended for a specific job, and pouring a pillar wax into a jar or a container blend into a mold will fight you the whole way. This guide sorts the paraffin waxes we carry by what you are making, with the melt points, pour temperatures, and fragrance loads you need to choose. If you are ready to buy, browse the full paraffin wax collection; if you are still deciding between waxes, our Soy vs. Paraffin: The BIG Debate comparison covers the trade-offs.
What Paraffin Wax Is
Paraffin wax is a mixture of solid hydrocarbons refined from petroleum. As a defined material it carries a melting-point range rather than a single sharp melting point; candle-grade paraffin softens and melts across roughly 115°F to 155°F[1] depending on the grade, and the harder, higher-melt grades hold their shape better in pillars and embeds. Refined candle paraffin is the same base material used in food-grade and cosmetic waxes, processed to different hardness and oil content for each use.
Two numbers drive how a paraffin wax behaves. Its melt point sets how hard the finished candle is and how much heat it takes to burn a full pool. Its fragrance load is the maximum amount of oil the wax retains; load up to that figure for the strongest throw, and any oil past it separates instead of binding.
Is Paraffin the Right Wax for You
Paraffin and soy each win different jobs. Paraffin's strengths are why it stays the standard for makers who want a strong scent and a clean, glossy finish.
Where Paraffin Wins, and Where Soy Does
Hot Throw
Paraffin generally throws fragrance better than soy, so a paraffin candle fills a room faster. If scent strength is your priority, the container blends below are built for high loads.
Finish
Paraffin sets smooth and glossy and takes dye cleanly, with bright, saturated colors. Soy tends toward a matte, sometimes frosted surface.
Mold Release
Harder paraffin grades release from pillar and votive molds cleanly, which makes paraffin the easier choice for molded candles.
Where Soy Wins
Soy burns slower, comes from a renewable crop, and cleans up with soap and water. If those matter more to you, start with our soy wax guide instead.
Paraffin Waxes at a Glance
Every paraffin wax we carry, grouped by what it is built for. Melt behavior, pour temperature, and fragrance load come from the manufacturer's data for each grade; use the table to narrow your choice, then read the section below for the detail.
Paraffin Wax Selection Chart
| Wax | Best for | Pour temp | Fragrance load | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IGI 4627 Comfort Blend | Containers, single pour | ~160°F | 6–10% | Smooth, creamy |
| IGI 4630 Harmony Blend | Containers, single pour (slab) | 150–160°F | 6–10% | Smooth, creamy |
| IGI 4633 (J-223) | Containers, bright colors | 145–155°F | 8–10% | Opaque, creamy |
| IGI 4636 (J-50) | Containers, low shrink | 150–160°F | 6–10% | Smooth, creamy |
| IGI 4786 Container Blend | Containers, strong throw | ~160°F | 6–10% | Smooth, creamy |
| IGI 1230 Base | Containers with additives | 175–185°F | 3–4% | Hard, needs topping |
| IGI 4625 Pillar Blend | Pillars | 170–180°F | ~6% | Smooth, glossy |
| IGI 1239 Cut N Curl | Pillars, cut and carve | 170–180°F | ~3% | Even, low crack |
| IGI 4794 Votive Blend | Votives, tarts, dipped | 150–170°F | ~6% | Smooth, glossy |
Container Waxes
Container candles are poured into glass or tins, so the wax needs to adhere to the vessel and holds a high fragrance load. The container blends below are the easiest paraffin waxes to work with, and several only require one pour when used as directed.
Pillar, Votive, and Specialty Waxes
Molded candles need a harder wax that shrinks slightly to pull away from the mold and release cleanly. Votive and tart blends sit between container and pillar waxes in hardness. Match the wax grade to the form you are pouring, whether that is a pillar mold, a set of votive molds, or a clamshell for tarts.
Pour Temperature and Fragrance
Whichever grade you choose, two steps decide how the candle throws. Add fragrance hot, then pour in the wax's recommended range.
Fragrance load is set by the wax, not the oil. Load up to the manufacturer-recommended maximum for your grade for the strongest throw, but never past it. The container and tart blends above are built for higher loads, around 6 to 10 percent, while base and pillar blends hold roughly 3 to 4 percent. If you want to push a base grade higher, an additive such as Vybar raises its retention, though it also changes the look of mottled finishes. For the full melting and pouring workflow across wax types, see our How to Heat & Pour Wax for Candle Making guide.