石蜡是固态高级烷烃混合物的俗名，分子式为C_nH_2n+2，其中n=20~40。

石蜡可由天然或人造石油的含蜡馏分用冷榨或溶剂脱蜡、发汗等方法制得。

石蜡通常是白色、有轻微气味的蜡状固体，熔点在47 °C-64 °C，密度约0.8 g/cm。它不溶于水，但可溶于醚、苯和某些酯中。石蜡不与常见的化学试剂反应，但可以燃烧。

纯石蜡是很好的绝缘体，其电阻率为10-10欧姆·米，比除了某些塑料（尤其是特富龙）外的大多数材料都要高。

石蜡也是很好的储热材料，其比热容为2.14–2.9 J·g·K，熔化热为200–220 J·g。

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid derivable from petroleum, coal or oil shale, that consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between twenty and forty carbon atoms. It is solid at room temperature and begins to melt above approximately 37 °C (99 °F); its boiling point is >370 °C (698 °F). Common applications for paraffin wax include lubrication, electrical insulation, and candles. It is distinct from kerosene, another petroleum product that is sometimes called paraffin.