Candle making is a bit of a subjective art form, but below are some general candle sizing to wick size guidelines. Depending on the wax you're using and how you prefer your candles to burn, you may find your personal sizing tastes are quite different than the suggestions below. Please don't treat these guidelines as the gospel truth - but just a good place to start (hopefully!) with your wick testing.
Experimentation is the only true way to figure out what will work best for you.
Square Braid Wicks
You can find square braid wicks here
Square braid wicks are great for beeswax, soy wax, and palm wax, and will likely work with other waxes as well. They allow for especially good wax flow, which makes them good for especially viscous waxes. 6/0 is the smallest wick size we carry, with 5/0 being slightly thicker...all the way to #10 which is the fattest square braid wick we carry. The following rough guideline is for beeswax or palm wax. You may need a size smaller than the suggested size for soy wax. But again, experimentation is the only way to truly find what works for your needs.
6/0 - for especially thin candles
5/0 - for very thin candles such as small birthday candles
4/0 - small rolled taper candles up to 3/4 inch in diameter
3/0 - rolled taper candles 3/4 - 1 inch in diameter
2/0 - rolled taper candles up to 1 inch in diameter
1/0 - rolled candles up to 2 inches, poured natural wax candles up to 1 inch in diameter, dipped tapers, votives
#1 - rolled candles up to 2.5 inches, poured natural wax candles up to 1.5 inch diameter, dipped tapers
#2 - rolled candles up to 3 inches, poured natural wax candles up to 2 inch diameter
#3 - poured natural wax candles 2-2.5 inch diameter
#4 - poured natural wax candles 2.5-3 inch diameter
#5 - poured natural wax candles 3-3.5 inch diameter
#6 - poured natural wax candles 3.5-4.5 inches in diameter
#8 - poured natural wax candles 4.5 inches in diameter and up
#10 - really wide candles!
Flat Braid Wicks
You can find flat braid wicks here
12 ply is for very skinny candles - birthday candles and thin tapers
15 ply is for tapers and thin candles
21 ply is for thicker tapers or very thin pillars
24 ply is for tapers and skinny soy and paraffin pillar candles
30 ply is for 1-2" beeswax pillars and larger soy and paraffin pillar candles
36 ply is for 1.5-2" beeswax pillars and larger soy and paraffin pillar candles
45 ply is for 2-2.5" beeswax pillars and larger soy and paraffin pillar candles
60 ply is for 2-3" beeswax pillars and larger soy and paraffin pillar candles
ECO Wicking
You can find ECO wicks here
ECO flat braided cotton wicks are interwoven with paper for added rigidity and are often used for soy and paraffin candle making.
Wick Sizing for Soy - Sizing is approximate and testing is usually needed
ECO 1 - Votives and containers up to 1.5" wide
ECO 2 - Votives and containers up to 2" wide
ECO 4 - Pillars and containers up to 2.5" wide
ECO 6 - Pillars and containers up to 2.75" wide
ECO 8 - Pillars and containers up to 3" wide
ECO 10 - Pillars and containers up to 3.25" wide
ECO 12 - Pillars and containers up to 3.5"
ECO 14 - Pillars and containers up to 3.75"
CD Series Wicking
You can find CD Series wicks here
Our CD wicks are often used for paraffin, soy, and other vegetable waxes. These wicks are interwoven with paper threads, helping to increase rigidity, and are designed to create a consistent burn even when using higher fragrance loads.
Approximate Sizing Chart for Paraffin - Sizing is general and testing is usually needed
CD 2 tea lights and votives
CD 3 votives and small candles
CD 4 votives and small containers
CD 5 containers 1 - 2 inches
CD 6 container and pillars 1 - 2 inches
CD 7 containers and pillars 1.5 - 2.5 inches
CD 8 containers and pillars 2 - 3 inches
CD 10 containers and pillars 2 - 3.5 inches
CD 12 containers and pillars 2.5 - 3.5 inches
CD 14 containers and pillars 2.5 - 3.5 inches
CD 16 containers and pillars 3 - 4 inches
CD 18 containers and pillars 3.5 - 4.5 inches
CD 20 containers and pillars 4 - 4.5 inches
CD 22 extra large containers and pillars
LX Wicking
You can find LX wicks here
LX wick is quite versatile and can be used with paraffin wax, soy wax and other vegetable waxes. These flat braid 'self trimming' wicks are designed to curl slightly, reducing mushrooming and soot, and provide a consistent, stable flame.
LX-8 Votives & Containers [paraffin ~1.25"]
LX-10 Votives & Containers [paraffin ~1.5" / soy < 1"]
LX-12 Votives, Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~2.0" / soy ~1"]
LX-14 Pillars & Small Containers [paraffin ~2.25" / soy ~1.25"]
LX-18 Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~2.75" / soy ~1.75"]
LX-22 Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~3.5" / soy ~2.5"]
LX-24 Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~4.0" / soy ~3"]
LX-26 Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~4.25" / soy ~3.25"]
LX-28 Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~4.5" / soy ~3.5"]
LX-30 Pillars & Containers [paraffin ~4.75" / soy ~ 3.75"]
HTP Wicking
You can find HTP wicking here
The approximate sizing below is for paraffin candle making.
HTP 31 Extra skinny candles such as birthday candles
HTP 41 Container and pillars up to 2" and Votives
HTP 62 Containers and pillars up to 2.5"
HTP 73 Containers and pillars up to 3"
HTP 83 Containers and pillars up to 3.5"
HTP 104 Containers and pillars up to 3.75"
HTP 105 Containers and pillars up to 4"