How to Choose the Proper Wick for your Candles

When making your own candles, you need to make sure you select the proper wick.

Candle Making Tutorial - Wick Selection Guide

How to Choose the Proper Wick for you Candles

The wick you choose depends on what kind of candle you are making, and how wide of a diameter it will have. The following chart indicates which wick is proper for each type of candle:

34-34 cotton core waxed	Recommended for 1-2" diameter pillar candles.
21 ply flat raw 21 ply flat waxed	Recommended for 1-2" diameter pillar candles, rolled paraffin sheets, and dipped tapers.
34-37 flat cotton core raw 34-37 flat cotton core waxed	Recommended for 2-3" diameter pillar candles.
30 ply flat raw 30 ply flat waxed	Recommended for 2.5-3.5" diameter pillar candles.
36 ply flat raw 36 ply flat waxed	Recommended for 3-4" diameter pillar candles.(Pillar candles larger than 4" in diameter typically require multiple wicks of a smaller size.)
1/0 square raw 1/0 square waxed	Recommended for 2-3" diameter pillar candles, rolled beeswax sheets, and beeswax tapers.
#3 square raw #3 square waxed	Recommended for 1-2" diameter beeswax pillars and beeswax votives.
#5 square raw #5 square waxed	Recommended for 2-3" diameter beeswax pillars.
32-24 cotton core raw 32-24 cotton core waxed	Recommended for 1-2" diameter container candles. Also known as "C" wick.
44-20-18 cotton core waxed	Recommended for 2-3" diameter container candles. Also known as "S" wick.
51-32-18 cotton core waxed	Recommended for 3-4" diameter container candles. Also known as "X" wick. (Container candles larger than 4" in diameter typically require multiple wicks of a smaller size.)
34-24 cotton core waxed	Recommended for votive and tealight candles. Also known as "E" wick.
34-24 zinc core waxed	Recommended for votive, tealight, and novelty candles. Also known as "E wire" wick.