Recently, I've had quite a number of customers call me to purchase either wax or wicks for their candle making projects. It is interesting that it's become the norm for customers to quote codes when referencing wax or wick types. 

I even noticed a quiet frustration when I tell customers that I can't advise on codes as codes are attached to particular manufacturers.  I have always mixed my own waxes for use in the hotter environment of the Caribbean.

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Twenty five years ago when I started to make candles, if these codes existed, they were not the norm. So the habit of creating my own wax blends was firmly entrenched from then. 

If you are a candle maker while you may use a particular wax, it is well worth it to actually understand what you are buying. Despite what might be a prevailing belief, wax codes are NOT universal.

Waxes and wicks are coded based on a manufacturer, so the very same wax blend or wick type may have a different code if it was manufactured by a different company. 

What the codes mean therefore, is well worth understanding. 

These aren’t random — they’re batch codes or product numbers set by manufacturers.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 464 Soy Wax:
  One of the most popular soy waxes for container candles. The "464" is just a product number. But what’s important is what it tells you: 

464 has a low melting point (around 113-119°F) and contains a soy-based additive for better fragrance throw and smoother tops.

• 444 Soy Wax:
  Similar to 464, but it has a higher melting point (119–125°F), making it better for hotter climates (perfect for Caribbean candle makers!).

• 415 Soy Wax:
  This is a pure soy wax — no additives — with a higher melting point than 464. Great if you want to keep your candles 100% natural.

Quick Tip:
The number itself DOES NOT tell you the properties directly. You have to look up the wax’s datasheet or description.

Wick Codes

1. Wick Series (the letters)

• CD Wicks (Stabilo):
  "CD" stands for Cored Directional wicks. They are flat braided with a paper filament throughout. Great for soy candles and containers where you need a steady, strong flame.

• ECO Wicks:
  "ECO" wicks are coreless, flat braided with paper fibers woven in. They tend to create less mushrooming and soot — a popular eco-friendly option.

• HTP Wicks:
  "High-Tensile Paper" wicks. These are similar to ECO but are a little stiffer, often giving better burns in wax blends that are a bit tricky.

• LX Wicks:
  "LX" wicks have a unique structure that helps minimize carbon buildup (aka "mushrooming") and soot.

2. The Number 

• The number usually refers to the thickness or size of the wick.

• Higher number = thicker wick = bigger flame.

• Example:
  ➔ CD-8 will create a smaller flame than a CD-20.
  ➔ ECO-4 is thinner than an ECO-14.

Why does size matter?
Because the size of your candle (and the wax type) determines how much fuel (wax) the wick needs to pull up to burn cleanly.
Too small a wick = tunneling.
Too large a wick = sooting and overheating.

It is best practice to test wicks in your containers and with your wax blend to determine whether they are perfect for your project. 

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