Tools & Calculators
Which wick should I start with?
Pick your wax and measure the width of your container or pillar. Get the supplier's suggested wick for that wax and size, plus the neighboring sizes to test.
Starting wick
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Your test plan
How to use this
The selector looks up your wax and container or pillar width on the CandleScience Wick Guide's tables and shows the wicks it suggests. Where two series are listed, such as CD and ECO, they are alternatives: choose one series and stay with it. For the test plan, the smaller and larger sizes are simply the chart's neighboring container widths for the same wax.
Burn test three sizes: the suggestion, the next size down and the next size up. Burn each in four-hour stretches, checking the melt pool, flame height and scent, and burn it all the way down at least once, because candles run hotter as the wax level drops. A flame that is small with tunneling suggests too small a wick. A tall flame, mushrooming or a very hot container suggests too large a wick. See theCandle Wicks guide for how to read a burn, and log your tests in theBurn Test Log.
About the data
The recommendations come from the container-wax and pillar-wax tables in theCandleScience Wick Guide, copied in October 2026. The supplier describes them as estimates only. Their test candles were made without dye and with 7.5% fragrance oil, and dyed or heavily scented candles may need a larger wick. Wick makers and suppliers update their charts, so check the current guide for your wax before you buy in bulk. The chart covers the CD, ECO, LX and AL wick series sold by that supplier. It does not cover other brands, and sizes are not interchangeable between brands.
Pillar and votive suggestions are single LX wicks for the listed sizes (votive, 2, 3 and 4 inch). If your pillar is between two listed sizes, test both, starting with the smaller. A pillar has no jar to catch wax, and a wick that is too large can melt through the wall and leak, so read thepillars guide before you burn a freestanding candle. Wide containers (about 3.8 inches and up) are listed with double or triple wicking. Beeswax is not on the chart because it is hard to wick and needs more testing; the supplier suggests starting with ECO wicks.
These are estimates to start from. Always pour a test candle and confirm the numbers with your own supplier's data.