Wick Size for a 2" Candle Container
A 2 inch container is about as small as candle making gets outside of true miniatures - votives, sample tins, and tealight-style pours all live in this range. At this diameter, wick selection is close to trivial: every wick family has a single small size that works, and the risk of getting it wrong is low because there is so little wax to melt in the first place.
The main thing to watch at 2 inches is not undersizing but oversizing. A wick that would look modest in a 3 inch jar can overwhelm a 2 inch tin, pushing the flame too close to the rim and producing soot or a scorched container edge. If in doubt, start with the smallest size in the family below and only size up if your burn test shows tunneling.
Recommended Sizes at 2" (5.1cm)
Every cell below is calculated live from our sizing engine for a round container at an 8% fragrance load - the same defaults as the calculator on our homepage.
Cotton Wicks (CD / HTP / ECO)
| Series | Soy | Paraffin | Beeswax | Coconut | Parasoy Blend | Custom Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD Series (Coreless) | CD-10 to CD-12 | CD-6 to CD-8 | CD-10 to CD-12 | CD-6 to CD-8 | CD-6 to CD-8 | CD-10 to CD-12 |
| HTP Series (Paper Core) | HTP-52 to HTP-62 | HTP-31 to HTP-41 | HTP-52 to HTP-62 | HTP-31 to HTP-41 | HTP-31 to HTP-41 | HTP-52 to HTP-62 |
| ECO Series (Cotton/Paper) | ECO-6 to ECO-8 | ECO-2 to ECO-4 | ECO-6 to ECO-8 | ECO-2 to ECO-4 | ECO-2 to ECO-4 | ECO-6 to ECO-8 |
Wood Wicks (Standard / Booster)
| Series | Soy | Paraffin | Beeswax | Coconut | Parasoy Blend | Custom Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Wood Wicks | 0.04" to 0.06" | 0.02" to 0.03" | 0.04" to 0.06" | 0.02" to 0.03" | 0.02" to 0.03" | 0.04" to 0.06" |
| Booster Wood Wicks | 0.04" to 0.06" | 0.02" to 0.03" | 0.04" to 0.06" | 0.02" to 0.03" | 0.02" to 0.03" | 0.04" to 0.06" |
LX Series (Zinc-Core)
| Series | Soy | Paraffin | Beeswax | Coconut | Parasoy Blend | Custom Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX Series (Zinc Core) | LX-14 to LX-16 | LX-10 to LX-12 | LX-14 to LX-16 | LX-10 to LX-12 | LX-10 to LX-12 | LX-14 to LX-16 |
Hemp Core Wicks
| Series | Soy | Paraffin | Beeswax | Coconut | Parasoy Blend | Custom Blend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemp Core Wicks | H-3 to H-4 | H-2 to H-3 | H-3 to H-4 | H-2 to H-3 | H-2 to H-3 | H-3 to H-4 |
Common Containers Around 2"
- Votive candle (unmolded)~1.5-1.75"
- 2 oz sample or travel tin~2"
- Small mason jar (4 oz)~2"
- Tealight cup (metal or poly)~1.5"
Approximate diameters - always measure your actual container, since the same product line can vary slightly between manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the smallest wick size for a 2 inch candle?
Use the smallest size in whichever family you have chosen - see the table above for the exact size our engine recommends per wax type. Cotton CD and ECO series both bottom out with a size built for containers this small; there is rarely a need to go smaller.
Can I use a single wick for a 2 inch container in any wax?
Yes. At 2 inches, even beeswax (the densest wax in our multiplier table) only needs a modest size-up from the soy baseline - a single wick handles the diameter comfortably across every wax type we track.
Why is my 2 inch candle smoking even with the recommended wick?
Small containers have less airflow around the flame, so trimming the wick to 1/4 inch before every burn matters more here than in larger candles. If smoking continues after trimming, size down one increment rather than up.
Need Your Exact Diameter?
This page rounds to 2". For a container that falls between sizes, use our free wick calculator for a precise recommendation.