The short answer
Consider two wicks when a jar is wide enough that one wick cannot melt the wax to the edge. Suppliers give about 3.5 inches across as the usual starting point for a multi-wick jar. Place the wicks evenly, about halfway between the center and the edge, and at least 1.5 inches apart. Size each wick for half the jar, not the full width, then burn test the whole candle.
When to use two wicks
A single wick is simpler to place and to test, so start there when you can. In a wide jar, though, one flame may only melt a circle in the middle and leave a ring of hard wax at the edge. Going to a larger single wick can solve that but may run too hot. Two smaller wicks can share the job.
Suppliers agree on a rough floor. One says multi-wick containers should be at least 3.5 inches across. Another says jars wider than 3.5 inches need more than one wick. These are starting points, not laws. Jar shape, wax and fragrance all change the answer.
CandleEasy maker guidance
Our own rule of thumb for round jars: one wick under 3.5 inches, two wicks from 3.5 inches, three wicks from 4 inches across. The third-wick step at 4 inches is CandleEasy’s maker guidance, not a published supplier figure, and some suppliers prefer you prove a double-wick candle before trying three. Either way, the burn test has the last word.
Check the wick before the scent
Do not add a second wick just to get more scent. More flame means more heat and a faster burn. If the problem is weak scent, work through weak scent throw first.
Free tool
Get a starting wick for a supported wax and jar, then verify the whole candle with a burn test.
Sizing each wick
The key idea is to divide the jar’s width by the number of wicks, and use that smaller width when you look at a wick chart. A 4-inch jar with two wicks gives two 2-inch sections, so you would look up wicks for a 2-inch candle. Two suppliers describe it this way, and the table below shows what it means.
| Jar width | Wicks | Width to use on the wick chart |
|---|---|---|
| 4 in | 2 | 2 in per wick |
| 5 in | 2 | 2.5 in per wick |
| 6 in | 2 | 3 in per wick |
The mistake to avoid is using the one-wick size for the whole jar twice. That usually gives far too much heat. One supplier lists “using single-wick sizing for multi-wick candles” among its critical mistakes. Treat your first sizes as a guess to test, and expect to go up or down a size.
Wick sizing also depends on your exact wax. The Wick Calculator gives a starting wick for supported waxes and says how many wicks it suggests, and the wick size guide explains how to read a chart.
Where the wicks go
- Measure the inside width at the wax line. Note the shape.
- Mark where each wick will go. In a round jar, place them halfway between the center and the edge, on opposite sides.
- Check the gaps: about 1.5 inches between wicks is the figure one supplier gives for keeping the flames from affecting each other, and you also want space to the glass.
- Stick both tabs down firmly in clean, dry jars. Hold both wicks straight and taut with a bar while the wax sets.
- Sketch or photograph the layout so you can repeat it.
Do not put the wicks so far out that the flames get close to the glass. One supplier names “spacing wicks too far apart, pushing them dangerously close to the container edge” as a common error. Suppliers also do not agree on exact distances, so keep your layout symmetrical and test. See off-center wicks for how to hold them in place.
Watch the flames and the glass
If the flames lean toward each other or toward the wall, or the jar gets very hot, put the candle out. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and do not assume a good-looking first burn is a pass.
Testing a double-wick candle
Test the finished candle from the first lighting to the last. Label each jar with wax, oil, load, dye, wick series and size, and the exact layout. Burn in four-hour sessions, in a still room, and record each one.
| What you see | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Wax left at the edge on one side | Check centering and spacing before changing the wick size. |
| Flames tall, soot or a very hot jar | Wick down, or check that the wicks are not too close. |
| Flames merge into one large flame | Spacing is too tight, or the wicks are too large. |
| One wick drowns while the other burns | Check that both are the same size, equally placed and equally trimmed. |
| Even melt to the edge, calm flames, steady jar | Write it down and repeat the test if the wax, oil or jar changes. |
Suppliers give different pass marks. One suggests a flame about an inch tall and a pool a quarter to three-quarters of an inch deep. Another gives a quarter to a half inch for pool depth. Use them as rough guides and record what you see. The burn-test guide explains what to write down, and a wick chart never replaces a full test.
Expect to adjust. One supplier notes that multi-wick candles often need changes to both wick size and wick placement before they work well, and another says to test again if you change the fragrance load.
Common questions
How wide does a jar need to be for two wicks?
Suppliers commonly give about 3.5 inches across as the minimum for multi-wick candles. CandleEasy’s maker guidance adds a third wick from 4 inches. Both are starting points, so test your own jar.
How do I choose the wick size for a double-wick candle?
Divide the jar’s width by the number of wicks and look up a wick for that smaller width. A 4-inch jar with two wicks is treated as two 2-inch sections. Then burn test and adjust.
How far apart should the wicks be?
One supplier says at least 1.5 inches apart, and halfway between the center and the edge. Keep them even and away from the glass, and watch for flames that merge.
Can I use two of my single-wick size?
It is not recommended. One supplier lists single-wick sizing in a multi-wick candle as a critical mistake, since it tends to run too hot.
Do two wicks give a stronger scent?
Not automatically. Two flames add heat and burn speed, but scent depends on the wax, oil, wick and jar working together.
Sources
- Candle Making 101: How to Multi-Wick Candles — CandleScience
- How to Make Double Wicked and Triple Wicked Candles — NorthWood Candle & Craft
- How To Make A Multi-Wick Candle — Makesy
- How to Conduct a Basic Burn Test — CandleScience
- Why a Candle Flame Might Go Out and How to Prevent It — Candle Shack
Updated October 5, 2026. These guides are starting points — always burn test your own candles.