Candle Wick Size Calculator & Finder — Wick Size Lab
The interactive wick finder suite: pick your container diameter, wax family, fragrance load and dye — get a starting wick, a wick-up/wick-down test pair, and multi-wick alternatives. Plus the full 12-series wick size chart, a multi-wick planner, a container→diameter helper, a burn-time estimator, and an interactive burn-test protocol.
Wick Finder
Not sure what size wick for candle making to pick? Enter your vessel's inside diameter. The finder matches the nearest chart row, then adjusts for wax family, fragrance load and dye — and always returns a test pair, because a chart can only give you a starting point.
How the finder adjusts the chart
- Chart basis: the reference chart is calibrated for soy container wax. Soy burns cooler than paraffin, so it needs one size up at the same diameter.
- Paraffin → one size down from the soy row. Beeswax burns hot and slow → one size up. Coconut-soy blend → treated as soy.
- Fragrance load ≥ 8% → one size up (fragrance oil thickens the wax and slows the melt pool).
- Dye → one size up (dye further slows the pool). Adjustments stack; the stacking is deliberately conservative and disclosed here.
- Test pair: one size below and one size above the pick. Buy all three, burn-test, keep the winner.
- Over 80 mm the finder also returns 2-wick and 3-wick alternatives with centre spacing. Above 115 mm a multi-wick plan almost always burns cleaner than one oversized wick.
Candle Wick Size Chart — 12 Series
Starting points by vessel inside diameter, for soy wax. Chart curated from Waxverse's candle wick size chart (12 wick series × 14 diameters), reformatted for comparison. Cells marked 2× / 3× are multi-wick layouts. Starting points only — always burn-test before scaling a batch.
| ⌀ | CD | CDN | CL | TB | ECO | HTP | LX | Stabilo | RRD | Premier | TCR | Wooden |
|---|
Wooden wicks are listed by width; "booster" = extra ply for a bigger flame. CL/TB columns suit EU soy container waxes. Toggle the diameter column between wick size in cm/mm and wick size in inches.
Candle wick sizes explained
Wick size codes are series-specific, not universal. In the CD/ECO/LX families a bigger number means a bigger wick (CD-4 → CD-22); HTP numbers (31 → 1312) are arbitrary codes that also run small-to-large; TCR shows ply/diameter pairs (e.g. 27/16). The number alone means nothing across series — a CD-14 and an ECO-14 are different wicks that happen to suit similar diameters. Always read the size within its series column, then confirm with a burn test.
Multi-Wick Planner
This multi wick candle calculator sizes each wick for diameter ÷ number of wicks (the classic multi-wick rule), then adjusts for wax, fragrance and dye like the finder. Spacing assumes wicks centred as a group: 2 wicks in a line, 3 in a triangle.
Container → Inside Diameter
This candle container calculator converts your measurement to the inside diameter — wick to the inside, not the jar style. Measure the outside and subtract the walls, or wrap a string around the jar and use the circumference.
Typical inside diameters (measure your own — styles vary)
Typical figures via Waxverse. Tins and straight-sided jars vary least; faceted and bubble jars vary most — always measure at the widest inside point.
Burn-Time Estimator
How long do candles burn? This candle burn time calculator divides candle burn time by weight: wax weight ÷ burn rate of the wick. Rate is anchored at 5 g/h for a CD-12-class wick (76 mm row) — so the average candle burn time for an 8 oz soy jar lands around 36–60 hours — and scales with the wick's rated diameter. Every result is a range, because fragrance, dye, drafts and trimming all move the real number.
Reverse: wax needed for a target burn time
Burn-Test Protocol Checklist
The 4-hour container test, step by step. Always burn-test a plain, unscented candle first, then retest with fragrance. A correctly sized wick reaches the jar wall in a 2–3 hour first burn.
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Methodology, sources & honest limitations
Where the chart comes from
The 12-series × 14-diameter reference chart is curated from Waxverse's candle wick size chart (soy-wax basis), reformatted for side-by-side series comparison. Wick size steps (one size up/down) follow the observed ordering within each series on that chart. Wax-family shifts follow Waxverse's published guidance: soy burns cooler than paraffin so it needs one size up at the same diameter; paraffin drops one size; beeswax, which burns hot and slow, goes one size up.
Adjustment rules (disclosed, conservative)
Fragrance load of 8% or more → one size up; any dye → one size up. The 8% threshold mirrors Waxverse's own worked example (76 mm soy jar at 8% fragrance → start at CD-14 with CD-16 as the wick-up option). Adjustments stack, which is deliberately conservative — the test pair exists precisely so you can prove the pick wrong cheaply.
Burn-rate model
Burn rate is anchored at 5 g/h for a 76 mm-rated wick (a typical 8 oz / 227 g soy candle burns ~45 hours) and scales with rated diameter0.75, fitted to a second anchor (tealight, CD-4 ≈ 5 hours on 15 g). Results are always shown as a ±25% range. Real burn time moves with fragrance, dye, drafts, and wick trimming — treat the range as planning help, not a promise.
What this tool cannot do
- It cannot replace a burn test. Wax batches, fragrance oils and jars vary; two "identical" pours can wick differently.
- Going the other way — what size container for a candle wick you already own: find your wick's row in the chart above and match a jar to that inside diameter.
- Wooden wicks are listed for comparison; their sizing is less standardised than cotton series — test two widths.
Candle wick size — frequently asked questions
What size wick do I need for my candle?
Measure the inside diameter of your container at the widest point, then match it to a wick series rated for that diameter in your wax family. A correctly sized wick reaches a full melt pool to the jar wall in 2–3 hours without mushrooming or sooting. Use the finder above for a starting pick plus a wick-up/wick-down test pair — then burn-test every combination.
What size wick for soy candles?
The right wick size for soy candles runs one step larger than paraffin: soy burns cooler than paraffin, so it typically needs one size up at the same diameter. Common soy starting points: 51 mm jar → CD-8, 64 mm → CD-10, 76 mm → CD-12/CD-14, 89 mm → CD-16. CD, ECO and HTP series all perform well in soy; ECO runs cooler and is the safest first pick for beginners.
How do you read a candle wick size chart?
Find your container's inside diameter in the left column, then read across to your wick series. Entries like CD-14 or HTP-104 are the suggested starting sizes for that diameter in soy wax. Cells marked 2× or 3× (for example 2× CD-14 at 127 mm) are multi-wick layouts. Every figure is a starting point — only a burn test confirms the size.
What is the difference between CD, ECO, HTP and LX wicks?
CD vs ECO is the most common comparison: CD (flat-braid cotton) is the most forgiving with high fragrance loads, while ECO (coreless cotton) runs cooler and is the safest first pick for new makers. HTP (paper-core, high-temperature) self-trims and is popular in coconut-soy blends. LX (cotton-paper flat braid) is a classic all-rounder. All four appear in the 12-series chart above for direct comparison.
Should I wick up or wick down when testing?
Always test a pair: one size below and one size above your starting pick. If the candle tunnels (wax left on the walls after a full burn), wick up. If the flame is taller than 1/2 inch, mushrooms, or soots, wick down. Retest after any wax or fragrance change.
How does fragrance load change wick size?
Fragrance oil thickens the wax and slows the melt pool, so high loads need a bigger wick. As a rule of thumb, fragrance loads of 8% and above call for one size up from the unscented pick; any added dye slows the pool further, so test another size up as well. This finder applies both adjustments automatically.
What size wick for an 8 oz candle jar?
Most 8 oz jars are about 70 mm (2.75 in) inside diameter. In soy, start with CD-10 or CD-12, ECO-10 or ECO-12, or HTP-83. Wick up one size if your fragrance load is above 8% or the jar is closer to 76 mm.
What size wick for a tealight or votive?
Standard tealights are 38 mm (1.5 in) inside diameter: in soy use CD-4, ECO-4, HTP-31 or LX-10. Votives are typically 45 mm: soy takes CD-6, ECO-6, HTP-52 or LX-12. In paraffin, drop one size; beeswax runs hotter and slower, so wick up.
How do I plan a 2-wick or 3-wick candle?
Divide the container's inside diameter by the number of wicks and size each wick for that smaller diameter from the chart. Space 2 wicks D/2 apart (each D/4 from centre); space 3 wicks in a triangle with about 0.433 × D centre-to-centre. Above 115 mm, two or three smaller wicks almost always burn cleaner than one oversized wick.
2 wick vs 3 wick candle — which is better?
It depends on diameter: around 115–130 mm, 2 wicks are usually enough and easier to centre; above ~140 mm (5.5 in), 3 wicks give a more even edge-to-edge melt. More wicks mean more heat and a faster burn — use the multi-wick planner above to compare per-wick sizes and spacing before you pour.
How do I measure my container's inside diameter?
Measure across the inside of the jar at the widest point (the fill line), not the lid or rim. If you can only measure the outside, subtract twice the wall thickness (about 3 mm for glass). Or wrap a string around the jar, divide the circumference by π for the outside diameter, then subtract the walls. The container helper above does the math.
How long will my candle burn? (burn time estimate)
Divide the wax weight by the burn rate of your wick size. A typical 8 oz (227 g) soy candle with a CD-12 wick burns about 5 g per hour, giving roughly 36–60 hours. Burn rate rises with wick size and varies with fragrance, dye, drafts and trimming — treat every figure as an estimate range, not a promise.
What is the 4-hour candle burn test?
Trim the wick to 1/4 inch, light the candle away from drafts, and burn in 1-hour checkpoints up to 4 hours (about 1 hour per inch of diameter). Check flame height (≤ 1/2 in), melt-pool width (should reach near the wall by hour 2–3), mushrooming and soot. Extinguish, cool 2 hours, then decide: tunneling → wick up; mushroom/soot → wick down. The interactive protocol above walks you through it.
Wooden wick vs cotton wick — which should I choose?
Cotton wicks (CD, ECO, HTP, LX) are easier to size precisely and behave more predictably across waxes — best for beginners. Wooden wicks give a crackling sound and wide flame but need a wider size range per diameter (0.5 in to 1.0 in) and often a booster ply; the chart above lists wooden sizes alongside cotton for comparison.
Is this wick recommendation safe to trust without testing?
No. Starting recommendations only — every wax, fragrance and container combination must be burn-tested. Never leave a burning candle unattended; trim wicks to 1/4 inch before each burn; stop use when 1/2 inch of wax remains; keep away from children and pets.
Is there a free alternative to static wick size charts?
Yes — this page. Unlike static charts, the finder adjusts for wax family (soy burns cooler, so one size up vs paraffin), fragrance load, and dye, returns a wick-up/wick-down test pair, adds multi-wick alternatives over 80 mm, and includes a container helper, burn-time estimator and burn-test checklist in one suite.