Candle Wick Size Calculator and Chart

Pick your wax, set the inside vessel diameter, and we'll return the wick size to start testing with across every major series. For jars over 8 cm, the calculator also returns 2 and 3-wick alternatives with centre-to-centre spacing.

Frequently asked

How do I pick the right candle wick size?

Measure the vessel's inner diameter, then pick a wick series rated for that diameter in your wax type. Always test-burn a plain wax candle first. A correctly sized wick reaches a full melt pool to the jar wall in 2 to 3 hours.

What size wick for a soy candle?

For soy, start with CD or ECO sized to your jar diameter: CD-8 for a 5 cm jar, CD-12 for a 7 to 8 cm jar, CD-16 for a 9 cm jar, CD-20 for a 10 cm jar. Wick up one size for fragrance loads above 9%.

What size wick for a beeswax candle?

Beeswax burns hot and slow, so you generally wick larger than soy. Use square-braid 1/0 or 2/0 for a 5 to 6 cm pillar, 3/0 for a 7 to 8 cm pillar, and 4/0 to 5/0 for a 9 to 10 cm pillar. Hemp 30-ply and TCR 24/14+ also work well in container beeswax.

When should I use 2 or 3 wicks instead of one?

Above 8 cm inside diameter, two smaller wicks reach the wall faster than one oversized centre wick. Above 10 cm, three wicks usually burn cleanest. The calculator returns the spacing and per-wick size automatically.

What if my flame is too tall or sooting?

Drop one wick size. A flame over half an inch usually means the wick is oversized for the wax and fragrance load.

What if my candle is tunneling?

Go up one wick size. Tunneling on a full first burn means the wick isn't pulling enough fuel to reach the jar wall.