Wick size comes down to two facts: the wax you pour and the diameter of the container or pillar mold. CandleScience’s Candle Wick Guide uses the wax to choose the wick series (ECO, CD or LX, plus Aroma-Lite AL for its Coconut Apricot Wax) and the diameter to choose the size. The charts below copy the guide’s first-choice wicks for nine waxes that CandleScience currently lists, with each wax’s melt point and pour temperature from its product page.
Treat every entry as a starting point. CandleScience says all recommendations in the guide are based on a 7.5% fragrance oil load and no dyes, and that dyed or heavily fragranced candles may require a larger wick. Always confirm with a burn test.
Wax and fragrance batch calculator
For a finished 100 g batch at a hypothetical 10% of wax weight, the split is 90.9091 g wax and 9.0909 g fragrance. At 10% of finished mixture weight, it is 90 g wax and 10 g fragrance. These examples explain the different denominators; 10% is not a recommendation for any wax or oil.
Candle wax and fragrance batch calculator
Split a finished batch into wax and fragrance. Enter a permitted load checked against both your exact wax and fragrance documentation, on the same percentage basis.
Example values are loaded. Replace them with your measurements. Your entries stay in this page.
Use the calculator to see your result.
CandleScience’s beginner tutorial uses weighed wax and fragrance. This calculator also works by mass in grams, with no wax-density or water-fill shortcut. Enter the actual intended mass of wax plus fragrance, excluding the container and wick.
For wax-basis fraction f, wax = finished mass / (1 + f) and fragrance = finished mass − wax. For finished-mixture fraction t, fragrance = finished mass × t. To compare limits, a wax-basis percentage p equals 100 × p / (100 + p) percent of finished mixture. A finished-mixture percentage q equals 100 × q / (100 − q) percent of wax weight.
Before entering a permitted percentage, check the exact wax instructions and the exact fragrance’s applicable use documentation. Convert to the same basis, then use the lower applicable limit. Missing permission or a target above that limit stops the calculator. An entered limit is not independently verified by the tool. The arithmetic chooses neither a wick nor a safe operating recipe; the documented burn-test process below is still necessary. Method reviewed October 15, 2026.
How to read the charts
- Find your band. Measure the diameter of your container or pillar mold, then find its row. The bands are the guide’s own, from Extra Small (1.75 to 2.19 in.) to 2XL multi-wick (3.8 to 4.5 in.).
- Compare numbers only within a series. CandleScience says a larger number means a larger wick within a series, so an ECO 14 is always bigger than an ECO 10. Numbers between series are not comparable: an LX 22 may or may not be bigger than an ECO 8.
- ×2 and ×3 mean the guide recommends two or three wicks of that size.
- (6 in.) marks the 6-inch length the guide names for that wick.
Find your wick
Soy container wax wick chart
| Container diameter | SimplySoy Artisan | Golden Brands 464 | Golden Brands 444 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small (1.75–2.19 in.) | CD 4 | CD 4 | CD 4 |
| Small (2.2–2.69 in.) | CD 8 | CD 8 | CD 10 |
| Medium (2.7–2.94 in.) | CD 12 | CD 12 | CD 14 |
| Large (2.95–3.29 in.) | CD 20 | CD 18 | CD 20 |
| Extra Large (3.3–3.79 in.) | LX 12 ×2 | CD 22 | CD 24 |
| 2X Large (3.8–4.2 in.) | LX 20 ×2 | CD 26 | CD 26 |
| 2XL multi-wick (3.8–4.5 in.) | LX 12 ×3 | CD 6 ×3 | CD 6 ×3 |
The guide also lists alternates. For Golden Brands 464 they are ECO 4, ECO 8, ECO 10, ECO 14 and ECO 16 from Extra Small to Extra Large. For SimplySoy Artisan they are LX 10, LX 14, LX 20 and LX 26 from Extra Small to Large.
Coconut and paraffin blend wick chart
| Container diameter | Coconut Apricot | IGI 4630 Harmony Blend | IGI 6006 Paraffin-Soy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small (1.75–2.19 in.) | AL100 | LX 12 | ECO 1 |
| Small (2.2–2.69 in.) | AL140 | LX 14 | ECO 2 |
| Medium (2.7–2.94 in.) | LX 16 | LX 18 | ECO 4 |
| Large (2.95–3.29 in.) | LX 18 | LX 22 | ECO 8 |
| Extra Large (3.3–3.79 in.) | AL110 ×2 | LX 24 | ECO 10 |
| 2X Large (3.8–4.2 in.) | AL110 ×2 or AL100 ×3 | LX 26 | ECO 2 ×2 |
| 2XL multi-wick (3.8–4.5 in.) | AL100 ×3 | LX 14 ×3 | CD 4 (6 in.) ×3 |
For Coconut Apricot Wax, CandleScience says containers with diameters larger than 3.25 in. will likely need more than one wick. If a single wick makes too much soot, it suggests double- or triple-wicking with smaller wicks.
Pillar wax wick chart
| Pillar diameter | CocoSol Soy Pillar | BW-921 Pillar Soy | IGI 6028 Pillar Blend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Votive | LX 12 | LX 16 | LX 14 |
| 2 in. | LX 14 | LX 20 | LX 16 |
| 3 in. | LX 26 | LX 26 | LX 24 |
| 4 in. | LX 28 | LX 28 | LX 28 |
All three pillar waxes list LX as their recommended wick series. CandleScience says LX wick burns with a tighter controlled flame, which helps keep pillars from tunneling or leaking out the side.
Wax specs behind the charts
| Wax | Ingredients | Wick series | Melt point | Pour temp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SimplySoy Artisan | Soy | CD, LX | 122–128°F | 160°F |
| Golden Brands 464 | Soy | CD, ECO | 113°F | 135°F |
| Golden Brands 444 | Soy | CD, ECO | 119°F | 135°F |
| Coconut Apricot | Apricot, coconut, paraffin, soy | AL, CD, LX | 121–131°F | 170°F |
| IGI 4630 Harmony Blend | Paraffin | LX | 119°F | 170°F |
| IGI 6006 Paraffin-Soy | Paraffin, soy | CD, ECO | 133°F | 170°F |
| CocoSol Soy Pillar | Coconut, soy, sunflower | LX | 128–136°F | 170–175°F |
| BW-921 Pillar Soy | Soy | LX | 135°F | 170°F |
| IGI 6028 Pillar Blend | Paraffin, soy | LX | 133°F | 180°F |
CandleScience’s instructions heat each of these waxes to 185°F in a double boiler before pouring, except SimplySoy Artisan, which heats to 180°F.
Where to find the waxes
- CandleScience SimplySoy Artisan Wax: Search Amazon for CandleScience SimplySoy Artisan Wax
- Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax: Search Amazon for Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax
- Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax: Search Amazon for Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax
- CandleScience Coconut Apricot Wax: Search Amazon for CandleScience Coconut Apricot Wax
- IGI 4630 Harmony Blend Wax: Search Amazon for IGI 4630 Harmony Blend Wax
- IGI 6006 Paraffin-Soy Blend Wax: Search Amazon for IGI 6006 Paraffin Soy Blend Wax
- CandleScience CocoSol Soy Pillar Wax: Search Amazon for CandleScience CocoSol Soy Pillar Wax
- Blended Waxes BW-921 Pillar Soy Wax: Search Amazon for Blended Waxes BW-921 Pillar Soy Wax
- IGI 6028 Paraffin/Soy Pillar Blend Wax: Search Amazon for IGI 6028 Paraffin Soy Pillar Blend Wax
Wick series in the charts
- CD: a flat braided cotton wick with paper threads woven in, which CandleScience says is designed for a consistent burn with higher fragrance loads, especially in softer natural waxes. Search Amazon for CD candle wicks
- LX: a flat-braided cotton wick with a rigid structure and a tighter controlled flame, which CandleScience says helps keep glass containers from overheating on one side. Search Amazon for LX candle wicks
- ECO: a flat cotton wick braided with thin paper threads that CandleScience calls an excellent choice for soy candles; it also works with wax blends and low melt-point paraffin. Search Amazon for ECO candle wicks
- Aroma-Lite (AL): 100% natural cotton wicks made in the USA that unfurl slightly as they burn, for a smaller flame and larger melt pool. CandleScience recommends them for small and multi-wick candles. Search Amazon for Aroma-Lite AL candle wicks
Burn test the starting wick
CandleScience’s basic burn test runs like this:
- Let the finished candle cure for at least 24 hours.
- Trim the wick to 1/4 inch (6 mm) before every lighting.
- Burn it on a clean, flat, heat-resistant surface, never unattended, and put it out after four hours. Let it cool for at least five hours, then repeat until 1/4 inch (6 mm) of wax remains.
- At three to four hours, the melt pool should reach within 1/4 inch (6 mm) of the container’s edge and be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) deep. Most flames are about an inch tall, and up to two inches can be normal.
- Wait until at least the fourth burn cycle before judging the wick.
Then read the result:
- Under-wicked: the candle burns down the middle, or tunnels, instead of out to the edge, and the flame often goes out before all the wax burns. Go up one size in the same series. CandleScience’s example: if an LX 14 tests under-wicked, try an LX 16.
- Over-wicked: the flame is too tall and flickers continually, the melt pool is deeper than 1/2 inch (13 mm), and carbon mushrooms on the wick tip and gives off soot. The container can get very hot. Go down a size.
- Soot: occasional small bursts are normal. Frequent large plumes, or soot building on the container’s edge, may mean you should wick down. Too much fragrance, or certain fragrance oils, can also cause it.
When the chart is not enough
- Dye and heavy fragrance: the guide assumes a 7.5% fragrance oil load and no dye, so heavier loads or dyed wax may need a larger wick.
- Beeswax: none of these charts covers it. CandleScience generally recommends the ECO series for beeswax and suggests buying several sizes to test, since its wicking is hard to predict.
- New batches of wax: because soy and natural waxes vary, CandleScience advises re-testing your candles at the start of each season, or at least twice a year.
If you are still gathering supplies, see the best candle making kits for beginners , and keep wicks and wax organized with the candle making storage picks .
FAQ
What size wick does a 3-inch jar need?
A 3-inch jar falls in the guide’s Large band (2.95 to 3.29 in.). The starting wick is CD 20 for SimplySoy Artisan, CD 18 for Golden Brands 464, LX 18 for Coconut Apricot and LX 22 for IGI 4630 Harmony Blend. Burn test it before you settle on it.
Is an LX 20 bigger than a CD 20?
Not necessarily. CandleScience says a larger number means a larger wick only within one series. Numbers from different series are not comparable, so an LX 22 may or may not be bigger than an ECO 8.
When does a candle need more than one wick?
In the guide, SimplySoy Artisan and Coconut Apricot switch to two wicks at the Extra Large band (3.3 to 3.79 in.), and every container wax in these charts uses three wicks in the 2XL multi-wick band (3.8 to 4.5 in.).
Sources
- CandleScience Candle Wick Guide: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/wick-guide/
- CandleScience candle wick overview: https://www.candlescience.com/candle-wick/
- CandleScience, Choosing the Right Wick Size: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/choosing-the-right-wick-size/
- CandleScience, How To Conduct a Basic Burn Test: https://www.candlescience.com/learning/how-to-conduct-a-burn-test/
- CandleScience SimplySoy Artisan Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/candlescience-simplysoy-artisan-wax/
- CandleScience Coconut Apricot Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/candlescience-coconut-apricot-wax/
- Golden Brands 464 Soy Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/
- Golden Brands 444 Soy Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-444-soy-wax/
- IGI 4630 Harmony Blend Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/igi-4630/
- IGI 6006 Paraffin-Soy Blend Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/igi-6006/
- CandleScience CocoSol Soy Pillar Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/candlescience-cocosol-soy-pillar-wax/
- Blended Waxes Pillar Soy Wax (BW-921): https://www.candlescience.com/wax/blended-waxes-pillar-soy-wax-bw-921/
- IGI 6028 Paraffin/Soy Pillar Blend Wax: https://www.candlescience.com/wax/igi-6028-paraffin-soy-pillar-blend-wax/
- CandleScience CD wick series: https://www.candlescience.com/candle-wick/pretabbed-wick/cd-series/
- CandleScience LX wick series: https://www.candlescience.com/candle-wick/pretabbed-wick/lx-series/
- CandleScience ECO wick series: https://www.candlescience.com/candle-wick/pretabbed-wick/eco-series/
- CandleScience Aroma-Lite AL100 wick: https://www.candlescience.com/wick/al100/