(Update Note: This guide was originally published in 2021 and has been fully updated for 2025 with the latest burn test data, revised wick recommendations, and valuable feedback from our readers and customers.)
In our opinion, a candle is the perfect harmony of wax, air, fragrance, and wick. Among these, the wick ultimately determines how the candle burns. Whether you’re just starting out or already a seasoned maker, choosing the right wick size is one of the most important parts of candle making.
If you’re using a candle making kit, some of the guesswork is done for you, but not all kits are created equal. If you’re sourcing your materials, you’ll need to understand how to match wick size and type to your wax and container. That comes down to testing. It’s not always easy, but we’ll walk you through the full process — updated for 2025.
What is the Right Wick Size?
The right wick size is the one that perfectly matches your candle wax type and container diameter. A correctly chosen wick ensures an even melt pool, a clean burn, and proper scent throw. It’s no exaggeration to say the wick is the heart of your candle.
Why Wick Size Matters: 5 Signs You Got It Right
The size of a candle wick matters. With the right wick, a candle will burn evenly, cleanly, and reliably. If the wick is too small or too large, it will cause problems such as smoke, soot, or even self-extinguishing. It could be very annoying.
Let’s take a look at the characteristics of a right-wicked candle.
1. Less Flickering Flame
A properly sized wick produces a steady, flicker-free flame that stays consistent throughout the burn and doesn’t self-extinguish.
If the wick is too thick or too long for the container size, it draws excess fuel (melted wax) to the flame. This causes the flame to burn too high, making it unstable and more sensitive to air movement. As a result, you may see a dancing or flickering flame, which reduces burn efficiency and may lead to smoking or uneven melting.
2. Full Melt Pool
The wick acts like a fuel pump, drawing melted wax upward to feed the flame. When properly sized, it generates enough heat to melt the wax across the full surface, creating a complete melt pool that reaches the container’s edges.
If the wick is too small or too short, it won’t produce enough heat. The flame will only melt the wax directly beneath it, forming a tunnel-like hollow over time — a common issue known as candle tunneling. This reduces scent throw, wastes wax, and shortens burn time.
3. Ideal Melt Pool Depth
well-sized wick creates a melt pool that’s ¼ to ½ inch deep after burning for a few hours. This depth ensures a steady fuel supply to the flame while keeping the container at a safe temperature.
If the wick is too large, it may generate excessive heat, causing the melt pool to go deeper than necessary. In extreme cases—especially with glass jars—this can lead to overheating or even container cracking. Choosing the right wick helps maintain both burn performance and candle safety.
4. Minimal Soot and Smoke
We all want our candles to create a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere — not smoke up the room. A properly sized wick burns cleanly, releasing little to no soot or smoke. This helps protect indoor air quality and creates a better experience for you and those around you.
When the wick is too large, it draws too much fuel and causes incomplete combustion, which leads to visible smoke, blackened jars, and airborne soot. Over time, this may cause discomfort such as coughing, sneezing, dizziness, or irritation — especially for pets or people with sensitivities.
5. No Mushrooming on Wick Tip
Mushrooming refers to the black, mushroom-like carbon build-up that forms on the tip of a wick — often a sign of incomplete combustion.
While mushrooming can be caused by the wick itself, it’s also influenced by fragrance oils, dye additives, or wax composition. However, using a wick that’s correctly sized and well-suited to your candle formula often eliminates or reduces mushrooming. The result is a more efficient burn and a neater appearance.
Choosing the Right Wick vs. Finding the Best Wick
There’s no one-size-fits-all, only what works best for your specific candle.
When selecting a wick, several factors come into play:
- Type of wax (soy, paraffin, beeswax, blends — all have different melting points and densities)
- Candle size (especially the diameter of the container or mold)
- Candle form (container, pillar, tealight, votive, etc.)
- Additives like dyes (liquid, powder, or chips)
- Fragrance type and load (fragrance oils vs. essential oils)
- Burning conditions (such as room temperature or outdoor use)
Even when all those variables are set, you’ll usually have multiple wick options that might work. For instance, if you’re making a container candle with soy wax and a 2.7–2.94 inch diameter, you could use ECO 12, CD 14, or LX 20 — and all could perform well depending on your formula.
That’s why it’s not realistic to name a single “best” wick for every candle. The right wick depends on the specific combination of materials and conditions.
So instead of chasing the “best” wick, focus on choosing the right wick size and type for your candle — and confirm it through testing.
Step-by-Step: How to Choose the Right Wick Size
Now that you understand what makes a wick the right fit – and the key factors that affect your choice – let’s walk through a simple, step-by-step process to help you select the ideal wick size for your candle.
Step 1: Identify Your Wax Type
Your choice of wax plays a major role in wick selection, since wax is the primary fuel that sustains the flame. Each type of wax has unique characteristics — such as melting point, density, and how it holds color and fragrance — all of which affect how a wick performs.
Some waxes burn hotter or slower than others, and certain wick types are better suited for them. For example, gel wax typically requires zinc-core wicks due to its high density and melting point.
Here are a few commonly used waxes and blends (including brand examples) to help you get started. You can also ask your wax supplier which wick types pair best with the candle you plan to make.
1. Soy wax:
Golden Wax 464, Freedom Soy Beads, Natural Soy Wax
Beeswax:
Beesworks Beeswax Pellets (Yellow), White Beeswax Pellets, EricX Beeswax Bars
2. Paraffin wax:
3. Paraffin soy blends:
Step 2: Understand Wick Types and Materials
Different candle waxes burn differently, and not every wick type works with every wax. That’s why it’s essential to understand the various wick materials and constructions before choosing one.
When comparing wick types, consider the following:
- Wick fiber: cotton, paper, wood, zinc, etc.
- Braid style: flat, square, cored, coreless, or specialty braided
- Wax coating: pre-waxed with paraffin or natural wax, or uncoated
To make your choice easier, we’ve outlined the most common wick types on the market, along with the waxes they pair best with, so you can find a reliable match for your candle formula.
1. ECO Wick
Best for: Soy wax and other low melting point waxes
Recommended use: Container candles, tealights, votives, pillars
ECO wicks are coreless, flat-braided cotton wicks with a thin paper filament woven throughout. They’re designed to maintain a rigid, self-supporting structure without needing a core.
ECO wicks are known for their clean burn, with minimal mushrooming, soot, or smoke. While ideal for soy wax, they also perform well with other soft or low-temp waxes.
2. CD Wick
Best for: Soy wax, paraffin
Recommended use: Container candles, votives, tealights, pillars
CD wicks are also coreless, flat-braided cotton wicks, reinforced with paper filament. Unlike ECO wicks, CD wicks are non-directional, meaning they burn evenly regardless of orientation.
They’re especially effective with viscous waxes, offering reliable flame control and strong scent throw.
3. LX Wick
Best for: Soy wax, paraffin, and vegetable waxes
Recommended use: Container candles, votives, pillars
LX wicks are flat braided wicks with a stabilizing thread and a special chemical treatment. They are designed to curl while burning, which helps control flame size, reduce soot, and prevent overheating of the container.
This self-trimming curl promotes a steady, soot-free burn, making LX a great choice for smooth-burning candles.
4. Wood Wick
Best for: Soy wax, paraffin, palm wax
Recommended use: Container candles, votives
Wood wicks are made from thin, flat strips of natural wood. They’re popular for their crackling sound, modern aesthetic, and clean vertical burn.
Wood wicks add a sensory and visual element to candles and are especially suited for wider jars or high-end container candles.
Step 3: Measure Your Container Diameter
This is one of the easiest — but most essential — steps. Simply take a ruler and measure the inside diameter of your candle container from one side to the other (straight across).
If you’re making pillar candles or other free-standing forms, measure the diameter of the mold instead. Wick size recommendations are typically based on this measurement, so accuracy matters.
Step 4: Use a Candle Wick Size Chart
Wick size charts are a great starting point — they help you narrow down the most suitable wick sizes based on your wax type and container diameter. However, they aren’t a final answer.
To get the best results, it’s always wise to test at least three wick sizes:
- The chart’s recommended size
- One size up
- One size down
This gives you a solid range to compare during your burn tests, which we’ll cover in the next step.
#1 Soy Wax Container Candles Wick Size Chart
Tips:
- CD series typically starts from CD‑4 at ~1.75″, scaling upward to CD‑22 for containers up to ~4.75″.
- ECO series follows container width scaling: ECO‑1/2 for <2″, ECO‑4–6 for 2–3″, up to ECO‑14–16 for 3.5–4″ jars.
- Consider multiple wicks (e.g. 2×ECO‑10) for vessels larger than ~3.8″.
#2 Paraffin Wax Container Candles Wick Size Chart
Tips:
- HTP series details are included from manufacturer data listings, ranging HTP‑41 through HTP‑1212 for sizes up to 5″ containers
- Use multiple wicks for containers over ~4″ wide.
#3 Pillar Candles Wick Size Chart
For pillar candles, we recommend using LX series. You can try LX12-28 depending on the height of your pillar candles. Here is a wick size chart for pillar candles, for reference only.
Tips: LX wicks are known for their self-trimming curl, which helps reduce mushrooming and soot in broad, tall pillars.
#4 Beeswax Candles Wick Size Chart
For beeswax candles, square braided cotton wicks are typically the best choice due to their strength and steady burn.
You can use the chart below as a reference — but keep in mind, it’s just a starting point. Always follow up with a burn test to confirm the ideal wick size for your specific recipe.
Tips:
- Square braid cotton wicks are the standard for beeswax, as beeswax’s viscosity requires a hotter, stronger wick
- For candles over 3.5″, consider using multiple wicks for an even melt pool
- For the wood wick size chart, please refer to Wood Wick Guide. We have a full-length tutorial to choose the right size of wood wicks.
Burn Testing: How to Find the Perfect Wick Size
As mentioned earlier, wick size charts are just a starting point. To find the perfect wick for your specific candle formula, you need to conduct a burn test, taking into account your wax, container, fragrance load, dye, and burn time.
This test helps you identify which wick delivers the best melt pool, flame behavior, and overall performance.
To ensure accurate results, you should use:
- The same wax
- The same fragrance oil and load
- The same container
- The same color/dye
- The only variable should be the wick size.
Pro tip: Label each candle with its ingredients and wick size to keep your notes organized during testing.
Now, let’s go to the step-by-step instruction.
Step 1: Prepare Three Wick Sizes
Use the size recommended in the chart, plus one size up and one size down.
Attach each wick to a clean container and space them out on a flat, level surface.
Step 2: Pour Three Identical Candles
Using the same batch of wax, fragrance, and dye (if applicable), pour your candles and allow them to cure for at least 24 hours.
Step 3: Trim the Wicks
Before burning, trim each wick to ¼ inch to ensure a clean and even start.
Step 4: Light All Three Candles
Burn them under the same environmental conditions for 2 to 4 hours. Avoid drafts, and don’t move them during the test.
Step 5: Record Your Observations
Note each candle’s performance:
- Flame height and stability
- Melt pool width and depth
- Presence of soot or smoke
- Mushrooming or carbon buildup
- Overall burn quality
Step 6: Choose the Best Performer
Compare the results against the signs of a properly wicked candle: steady flame, full melt pool, clean burn, and no mushrooming. The candle that meets these criteria is your winner.
Step 7: Adjust if Needed
If none of the three performed well, try a different wick family or repeat the test with slightly different sizes.
Final Tip:
Burn testing may take time and patience — but if you’re building a product line or want consistent candle performance, it’s absolutely essential.
The right wick isn’t guessed. It’s tested.
Troubleshooting Wick Size Problems
If your candle isn’t burning as expected during testing, it’s often due to an incorrect wick size or type. Here are some common wick-related problems and how to fix them:
Problem: Self-Extinguishing
Cause: The wick is too small or too short to melt enough wax to sustain the flame.
Solution: Increase the wick size.
Problem: Excessive Soot or Smoke
Cause: The wick is too large and produces more heat than needed, leading to incomplete combustion.
Solution: Use a smaller wick size or switch to a cleaner-burning wick type.
Problem: The Flame Is Too Tall
Cause: The wick is too thick or long, causing the flame to overheat.
Solution: Trim the wick to ¼ inch or try a smaller wick size.
Problem: Tunneling
Cause: The wick isn’t generating enough heat to melt the wax to the container’s edge.
Solution: Try a larger wick size.
Problem: Mushrooming
Cause: Incomplete combustion leads to carbon buildup on the wick tip.
Solution: Reduce fragrance load, try a smaller wick, or choose a wick designed to curl as it burns.
Problem: Cracked Container
Cause: Excess heat from an oversized wick can cause glass containers to overheat or break.
Solution: Use a smaller wick size and test the container’s heat tolerance.
Tip: If you experience multiple issues, adjust one variable at a time — starting with wick size — and retest for best results.
When and How to Use Multiple Wicks
Some candle containers are simply too large for a single wick. If your jar has a diameter larger than 3 to 4 inches, one wick may not produce enough heat to melt the wax evenly across the surface.
Irregular-shaped containers can also cause uneven melt pools, leading to tunneling and wasted wax.
When to Use Multiple Wicks:
- 3.5 to 4 inches wide: Use 2 wicks
- Over 4 inches: Consider 3 wicks or more
- Irregular shapes: Use multiple wicks to ensure balanced coverage
How to Size Multi-Wick Candles
- Divide the container into equal sections (e.g., two halves for double-wick candles).
- Use the wick size chart to select the correct wick size for each section’s width.
- Perform a burn test with your selected wick combination to ensure full melt pool coverage.
Does a Wick Need to be Waxed?
Waxed wicks are not required, but they’re highly recommended. Pre-waxed wicks:
- Light more easily
- Stand up straight during pouring
- Burn more evenly and reliably
- Look more professional in finished products
If you’re producing candles to sell, using pre-waxed wicks adds consistency and quality.
How to Make a Candle Wick by Hand?
- Making your own wick is simple and useful for small batches or testing.
- Cut your wick string slightly longer than needed.
- Soak it in melted wax (such as paraffin or beeswax).
- Remove and let dry, keeping it straight.
- Attach it to a wick tab using pliers.
Is Wick Size Interchangeable Between Wick Types?
No — wick sizes are not interchangeable across different wick types. An ECO 10 is not equivalent to a CD 10 or LX 10.
Each wick family has its own structure, thickness, and burn behavior. Always conduct your burn tests using three different sizes within the same wick series. If you switch to another type, repeat the testing process with that series.
What Type of Wick is Best for Soy Candles?
Soy wax works well with several wick types, including:
- ECO
- CD
- LX
- Wood wicks
The best choice depends on your container size, fragrance load, and wax blend. Refer to the soy wax wick size chart to narrow your options, and always confirm with a burn test.
Conclusion
Choosing the right wick size isn’t instant — it’s a process of trial, error, and adjustment. But once you discover the perfect wick for your recipe, you can reproduce consistent results with ease.
A well-wicked candle delivers a smooth burn, better scent throw, and a safer, longer-lasting experience.
If you’re serious about making high-quality candles — especially for a business — burn testing your wicks is essential. So don’t skip it.
Ready to create better candles? Start testing your wick sizes today.
