Candle Wick Size Chart – Choose the Right Wick Easily

Picking the right wick is the most important part of candle making. Choosing the best wick involves many criteria. The wrong wick can cause tunneling, poor scent throw, excessive soot, overheated containers, and customer complaints when establishing or expanding a product line. This blog includes a candle wick size chart that teaches you how to use it.

What is a Candle Wick?

First, we need to know what is a candle wick. An essential component of a candle is its wick, which functions as a miniature fuel delivery mechanism. Candle wicks are typically made of cotton fibers woven into a single strand.

Why is Wick Size Important?

The candle wick size affects drawing wax into the flame; thus, choosing the right one is vital. Here are the reasons:

1. Ensures an Even Burn

A well-chosen and maintained candle wick is crucial for an even burn. Trimming it to 1/4 inch before use controls flame size, reduces smoke, and prevents tunneling by ensuring wax reaches edges.

2. Improves Fragrance Throw

Getting the wick size just right is essential for a strong aroma throw; a tiny wick will produce a tiny burn pool, while a big wick will burn too hot and weaken the aroma.

3. Reduces Smoke & Soot

Choosing the right wick size for candles is essential to minimize smoke and soot. An appropriately sized wick achieves a clean, steady flame, while improper sizing leads to mushrooming and excessive smoke.

4. Controls Burn Time

This is another reason why is wick size important. Wick size is crucial for a candle's burn time, flame height, and safety. Wicks of varying sizes burn differently and produce different amounts of fragrance.

5. Prevents Common Candle Problems

If you want your candles to burn evenly, produce the most fragrance, keep the flame at a safe height, and avoid problems like tunneling and soot, then you need to choose the correct wick size.

Candle Wick Size Chart Table

Use a wick size table as a rough guide because different waxes, smells, and colors affect the wicking of the candle. Only by experimenting will you be able to ensure correct wicking.

1. Zinc Core Wicks

Zinc core wicks, made of cotton braid with an inner zinc core, are ideal for various candles, providing a steady flame and self-trimming features, though they may mushroom if not managed.

Size	Recommended Application (diameter)*
44-24-18	Votives, Pillars & Small Containers (2.0" - 2.25")
51-32-18	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.0" - 3.5")
60-44-18	Pillars & Large Containers (3.5" - 4.0")

2. CD Series Wicks

The CD series wicks, popular among skilled candlemakers, are flat and made with paper threads, which help them burn evenly and work well with thick waxes like paraffin and soy, and they come pre-trimmed and ready to use.

Size	Recommended Application (diameter)*
CD-4	Votives & Small Containers (1.25" - 1.75")
CD-5	Votives & Small Containers (1.75" - 2.0")
CD-6	Votives, Pillars & Small Containers (2.0" - 2.25")
CD-7	Pillars & Small Containers (2.25" - 2.5")
CD-8	Pillars & Medium Containers (2.5" - 3.0")
CD-10	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.0" - 3.25")
CD-12	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.25" - 3.5")
CD-14	Pillars & Large Containers (3.5" - 3.75")
CD-16	Pillars & Large Containers (3.75" - 4.0")
CD-18	Pillars & Large Containers (4.0" - 4.25")
CD-20	Pillars & Large Containers (4.25" - 4.5")
CD-22	Pillars & Large Containers (4.5" - 4.75")

3. ECO Series Wicks

ECO series wicks are coreless cotton flat braid wicks with paper filament, ideal for various candles. They excel in paraffin but work with lower melt point soy waxes, ensuring a consistent flame.

Size	Recommended Application (diameter)*
ECO-1	Votives & Small Containers (1.25" - 1.75")
ECO-2	Votives & Small Containers (1.75" - 2.0")
ECO-4	Votives, Pillars & Small Containers (2.0" - 2.25")
ECO-6	Pillars & Small Containers (2.25" - 2.5")
ECO-8	Pillars & Medium Containers (2.5" - 3.0")
ECO-10	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.0" - 3.25")
ECO-12	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.25" - 3.5")
ECO-14	Pillars & Large Containers (3.5" - 3.75")

4. HTP Series Wicks

HTP Series Wicks are coreless, cotton flat braid wicks reinforced with paper, ideal for tealights, votives, pillars, and container candles. They ensure a constant flame and are compatible with paraffin and soy waxes.

Size	Recommended Application (diameter)*
HTP-41	Votives, Pillars & Small Containers (2.0" - 2.25")
HTP-52	Pillars & Small Containers (2.25" - 2.5")
HTP-62	Pillars & Medium Containers (2.5" - 2.75")
HTP-73	Pillars & Medium Containers (2.75" - 3.0")
HTP-83	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.0" - 3.5")
HTP-104	Pillars & Large Containers (3.5" - 4.0")
HTP-105	Pillars & Large Containers (4.0" - 4.5")
HTP-1212	Pillars & Large Containers (4.5" - 5.0")

5. LX Series Wicks

LX Series Wicks are flat braided, chemically treated cotton wicks designed for high melt points, minimizing mushrooming, smoke and soot. They are pre-cut, primed and ideal for various waxes, including paraffin.

Size	Recommended Application (diameter)*
LX-8	Votives & Small Containers (1.25" - 1.5")
LX-10	Votives & Small Containers (1.5" - 2.0")
LX-12	Votives, Pillars & Small Containers (2.0" - 2.25")
LX-14	Pillars & Small Containers (2.25" - 2.5")
LX-16	Pillars & Medium Containers (2.5" - 3.0")
LX-18	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.0" - 3.25")
LX-20	Pillars & Medium Containers (3.25" - 3.5")
LX-21	Pillars & Large Containers (3.5" - 3.75")
LX-22	Pillars & Large Containers (3.75" - 4.0")
LX-24	Pillars & Large Containers (4.0" - 4.25")
LX-26	Pillars & Large Containers (4.25" - 4.5")
LX-28	Pillars & Large Containers (4.5" - 4.75")
LX-30	Pillars & Large Containers (4.75" - 5.0")

6. Wooden Wicks

Wooden wicks for candles have gained popularity for their aesthetic appeal and soothing crackling sound. Available in various shapes and sizes, they can be made from wood, semi-wood, fibrous materials, cotton or combinations thereof.

Size	Recommended Application - Soy (diameter)*	Recommended Application - Paraffin (diameter)*
X-Small	Not Recommended	Small Container (up to 1.5" diameter)
Small	Not Recommended	Small Container (up to 2.25" diameter)
Medium	Small Container (up to 2.25" diameter)	Medium Container (up to 3" diameter)
Large	Large Container (up to 3.25" diameter)	Large Container (up to 3.25" diameter)
X-Large	Large Container (up to 3.5" diameter)	Large Container (up to 3.75" diameter)

FAQs - Candle Wick Size Chart

Q1. How do I know what size candle wick to use?

Ans Match wick type to wax, vessel diameter, candle sizes, and fragrance load. Measure the container diameter, follow the supplier's instructions, and test for the melt pool.

Q2. What is the 8:10 rule for candles?

Ans The 8:10 rule suggests lighting one 8-ounce candle for every 10 feet to balance scents and avoid overwhelming aromas in spaces.

Q3. What happens if the wick is too small?

Ans When wax melts unevenly in an under-wicked candle, it causes tunneling, which manifests as weak flames, diminished fragrance, and wasted wax.

Q4 Can I use the same wick size for all candles?

Ans No, different candles require specific wick sizes based on fragrance load, wax type, and container diameter to avoid issues such as tunneling and overheating.

Final Thought

Ultimately, the safety, fragrance throw, and burn quality of a candle are all affected by the wick size, so it's important to get it right the first time. You can avoid typical problems and perform better if you know how to use the different kinds of wicks for candle making with the help of these charts.

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Reviewed by:
Anjali Sharma

Anjali Sharma is a cosmetic & skincare formulation chemist with experience in developing products with over 5 years of experience in the Skincare and cosmetic industry.