How do I know if my wick is the right size?

Do a test burn for 3-4 hours. The melt pool should reach the edges of the container within 2-3 hours. If it does not reach the edges, wick up (larger). If it reaches the edges too quickly or the flame is too large, wick down.

A carbon build-up on the wick tip that looks like a mushroom cap. Some mushrooming is normal. Excessive mushrooming means the wick is too large or the fragrance load is too high.

Should I always test burn?

Yes. Wick charts are starting guides only. Every combination of wax, fragrance, dye and container requires test burning to confirm the right wick size.

When should I use double wicks?

Containers wider than 80-90 mm often benefit from double wicking. Two smaller wicks create a more even melt pool than one large wick in wide containers.

CraftCalcs

Wick Size Calculator — Find the Right Wick

Find the correct wick size for your candle diameter and wax type.

Container Diameter

Inner diameter at the widest point

Wax Type

How We Calculate This

This calculator recommends wick series and sizes based on container diameter and wax type. Different waxes have different burning characteristics:

Soy/coconut/rapeseed: softer waxes that work well with ECO and CD series wicks
Beeswax: hard wax with high melting point, needs stronger wicks (square braid or CD)
Paraffin: works well with LX or CD series

These are starting recommendations. Always test burn to confirm performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Wax Weight Calculator

Calculate how much wax you need to fill your candle containers.

Fragrance Oil Calculator

Work out fragrance oil amounts based on wax weight and fragrance load percentage.

Container Volume Calculator

Calculate the volume of round, square or irregular candle containers.

Dye Amount Calculator

Work out how much candle dye to add for your desired colour intensity.

Melt Pool Calculator

Estimate melt pool diameter and depth for proper candle performance.

Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.