Paraffin vs. Kerosene — What's the Difference?

Odorless and colorless.

A flammable hydrocarbon liquid.

A waxy solid derived from petroleum.

Commonly used as jet fuel.

Non-volatile and low in flammability.

Strong-smelling and volatile.

Used in cosmetics and skin treatments.

Derived from petroleum.

Not soluble in water.

Used for lighting and heating.

A waxy white or colorless solid hydrocarbon mixture used to make candles, wax paper, lubricants, and sealing materials. Also called paraffin wax.

Kerosene is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in aviation as well as households.

(Chemistry) A member of the alkane series.

A thin oil distilled from petroleum or shale oil, used as a fuel for heating and cooking, in lamps, and as a denaturant for alcohol. Also called coal oil.

Chiefly British Kerosene.

A thin colorless to straw-colored petroleum-based fuel heavier than gasoline/petrol or naptha but lighter than diesel, used primarily as jet fuel but also for heating and lighting in some remote or impoverished areas.

To saturate, impregnate, or coat with paraffin.

An oil used for illuminating purposes, formerly obtained from the distillation of mineral wax, bituminous shale, etc., and hence called also coal oil. It is now produced in immense quantities, chiefly by the distillation and purification of petroleum. It consists chiefly of several hydrocarbons of the methane series, having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms in each molecule, and having a higher boiling point (175 - 325° C) than gasoline or the petroleum ethers, and a lower boling point than the oils.

(UK) A petroleum-based thin and colourless fuel oil.

A flammable hydrocarbon oil used as fuel in lamps and heaters

(chemistry) Any member of the alkane hydrocarbons.

Paraffin wax.

To impregnate or treat with paraffin.

To embed in paraffin wax.

A white waxy substance, resembling spermaceti, tasteless and odorless, and obtained from coal tar, wood tar, petroleum, etc., by distillation. It is used in candles, as a sealing agent (such as in canning of preserves), as a waterproofing agent, as an illuminant and as a lubricant. It is very inert, not being acted upon by most of the strong chemical reagents. It was formerly regarded as a definite compound, but is now known to be a complex mixture of several higher hydrocarbons of the methane or marsh-gas series; hence, by extension, any substance, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, of the same chemical series; thus gasoline, coal gas and kerosene consist largely of paraffins.

From crude petroleum; used for candles and for preservative or waterproof coatings

A non-aromatic saturated hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH(2n+2)

British usage

Kerosene fumes can be harmful and should be properly ventilated.

No, paraffin is solid and used in candles, while kerosene is a liquid fuel.

Paraffin is a waxy solid substance derived from petroleum.

Paraffin has low flammability compared to kerosene.

Kerosene is used for heating, lighting, and as jet fuel.

Kerosene is a flammable hydrocarbon liquid used primarily as a fuel.

Paraffin is generally considered safe for external use.

No, candles are generally made with waxes like paraffin.

It's not recommended; lamps usually use liquid fuels like kerosene.

No, paraffin should not be ingested.

Yes, there are varying grades of paraffin used in different industries.

While flammable, kerosene is not considered explosive.

No, paraffin is not suitable for cooking.

Kerosene should be stored in a well-ventilated area in approved containers.

No, kerosene is a non-renewable petroleum product.