The Right Wick for the Job

Alexander M

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"



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