Wick Quick-Reference Chart
Container candles — single wick starting points. Always confirm with burn tests.
These are starting points, not answers. The right wick depends on your wax, fragrance load, dye, and container shape. Start here, then burn-test up or down one size at a time. Wide containers (3.5″+) often need two or three wicks.
| Container inner diameter | CD series | ECO series | LX series |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2″ – 2.25″ | CD 4 | ECO 4 | LX 12 |
| 2.5″ | CD 6 | ECO 6 | LX 14 |
| 2.75″ – 3″ | CD 8 | ECO 8 – 10 | LX 16 |
| 3.25″ | CD 10 – 12 | ECO 10 – 12 | LX 18 – 20 |
| 3.5″ | CD 12 – 14 | ECO 12 – 14 | LX 22 |
| 4″+ | Consider 2–3 wicks, spaced evenly | ||
Reading your test burn
- Mushrooming / soot: wick too large — size down.
- Tunneling after 2+ hrs: wick too small — size up.
- Flame over 1.5″: wick too large — size down.
- Full melt pool in ~2 hrs, steady 1″ flame: you’re in the zone.
- Weak scent throw: try one size up before blaming the fragrance.
Starting points only — every wax/fragrance/container combo needs its own burn test. Free printable from Candle Makers Resource — candlemakersresource.com
© 2026 Candle Makers Resource. All rights reserved.
