Candle Wick Size Guide
Choosing the right wick is the most important (and trickiest) part of candle making. There's no universal formula — it depends on your specific wax, fragrance, container, and dye. The only way to get it right is to test.
Start Here: Manufacturer Wick Charts
Your wax supplier has already tested wicks with their specific wax. Always start with their recommendations.
CandleScience
↗ Visit GuideDetailed wick chart for their specific waxes and containers. Includes recommended wick series and sizes.
Lone Star Candle Supply
↗ Visit GuideWick selection guide with recommendations by wax type and container diameter.
NorthWood Candle Supply
↗ Visit GuideTesting guides and wick selection resources for natural wax blends.
Wooden Wick Co.
↗ Visit GuideSelection guide specifically for wooden/crackling wicks.
Wick Series Reference
Understanding the different wick series helps you narrow down which type to test first.
| Series | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CD (Stabilo) | Cotton, paper core | Soy wax, natural waxes, beeswax |
| ECO | Cotton, paper threads | All wax types, versatile |
| HTP | Cotton, paper core | Coconut wax, coconut-soy blends |
| LX | Cotton, stabilizing threads | Paraffin, pillar candles |
| Wooden Wicks | Wood or wood + cotton | Soy, coconut-soy, aesthetic candles |
How to Test Your Wicks
Follow this process every time you change your wax, fragrance, container, or wick brand.
Start with manufacturer recommendations
Use the wick charts from your wax supplier as a starting point. They test their wicks with their specific wax formulas.
Order a sample pack
Get 3 sizes: the recommended wick, one size up, and one size down. Most suppliers sell sample packs.
Make 3 identical test candles
Same container, same wax, same fragrance load, same pour temp — only change the wick.
Burn test for 4 hours
Light each candle and let it burn for 4 hours (or 1 hour per inch of diameter). Check the melt pool at the end.
Evaluate the results
The right wick creates a full melt pool (edge to edge) within 2-3 hours, with minimal soot, tunneling, or mushrooming.
Reading Your Burn Test Results
🔻 Wick Too Small
- • Tunneling — wax doesn't melt to the edges
- • Weak or no scent throw
- • Wick drowns in wax pool
- • Small, dim flame
→ Size up one wick
✅ Just Right
- • Full melt pool reaches edges within 2-3 hours
- • Steady, moderate flame height
- • Good scent throw (hot and cold)
- • Minimal to no soot on jar
- • Clean, even burn down the candle
→ This is your wick!
🔺 Wick Too Large
- • Excessive soot or black smoke
- • Flame is too tall or flickers wildly
- • Glass gets dangerously hot
- • Burns through wax too quickly
- • Large mushroom on wick tip
→ Size down one wick
When to Double Wick
Containers wider than 3.5-4 inches often need two wicks instead of one larger wick. Benefits:
- • Better melt pool coverage — two smaller flames spread heat more evenly than one large flame
- • Less soot — smaller wicks produce cleaner burns than oversized single wicks
- • More consistent burn — reduces tunneling in wide containers
- • Aesthetic appeal — two flames look great in large jars
Rule of thumb: Space wicks evenly, keeping each wick at least 1" from the container wall. Use the same wick size you'd use for a container half the diameter.
Quick Tips
- • Fragrance oil slows burning — higher fragrance loads (10%+) may need a slightly larger wick
- • Dye affects burn — dark dyes can clog wicks; you may need to size up
- • Temperature matters — test in a room around 68-72°F for consistent results
- • First burn is critical — always burn long enough to get a full melt pool on the first light
- • Re-test when you change anything — new batch of wax, different fragrance, different jar = new wick test
- • Keep a burn test log — track what works so you don't re-test the same combinations
Track Your Recipes & Costs
Once you find your perfect wick, save your recipes in WickSuite. Track supply costs, calculate COGS, and know your margins on every candle.