Candle Size Tips: How Tall Should Candles Be?

A candle can be more than just an instrument to provide light and ambiance to your home or office; it’s also an aesthetically pleasing piece of home decor that can bring a room together. However, there are so many different candle sizes that it can be hard to find the perfect candle size for your project. Luckily, we’ve compiled this handy guide of standard candle sizes that will help you choose the correct size no matter what you’re looking to do with your candles!

Standard candle sizes

Following are the calculated candle size ranges of the primarily used candles for decorations.

Candle Standard Sizes Table

Type of Candle	Height (inches)
Tea Light	0.75 ~ 1
Votive	2 ~ 3
Filled Candle	3.25
Pillar	3 ~ 9
Taper	6 ~ 18
Flameless	All Sizes

Different types of candles

Tarts

Tarts are the most popular candles because they’re extreme and long-lasting. They’re also great for small spaces because they don’t take up as much room as other types of candles. Tarts are often more expensive than other types because they have a higher scent concentration, but you’ll only need one or two instead of ten.

In addition, they last much longer than other types of candles and therefore use less fuel in the process. Finally, tart wax will release its scents slowly over time. Therefore,  it’s better if you want your house to smell like incense for a long time rather than just briefly at once.

Jarred

Jarred candles are a safe choice for anyone looking for an easy, budget-friendly way to fill their home with the scent they love. You can add your favorite fragrance to scented jarred candles that come pre-made with a beautiful blend of aromas.

Paraffin wax

Paraffin wax is often the first type of candle people think of when looking for one. These candles are inexpensive and can be bought at most grocery stores, drugstores, and even dollar stores. They are typically in taper form and come in a variety of colors. These types can be used for both everyday uses as well as for special occasions such as weddings or birthday parties.

Most have a vanilla scent, but some have more intense scents like lavender and pumpkin spice. While it may not last as long or burn with as much fragrance as other types of candles, these are great for those on a budget or who want something simple.

Liquid soy

Liquid soy candles are made from soy wax and are mixed with a scented fragrance. Liquid soy is a healthier alternative to paraffin-based candles because soy wax does not contain any animal byproducts. Our favorite part about liquid soy candles is that the wax burns slower than other types of candle wax, so it lasts longer than traditional candles.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, then liquid soy might be for you! They also come in larger containers that last up to 50 hours. You can find them in jars, tins, and votives in your local grocery store or online at Amazon or Etsy. One downside to liquid soy is the scent strength; since they don’t have as much oil as their counterparts, they don’t produce as strong of a smell, but they give off more natural fragrances.

Natural beeswax candles

Natural beeswax candles are made with pure, natural ingredients. This means they burn cleaner. They also burn longer than other candles because they don’t have additives that can produce soot or lead to other potential hazards. If you’re looking for a clean-burning candle with a light, subtle scent that won’t overpower your space, these are the ones for you! The most popular beeswax candles are those scented with lavender, vanilla, and lemon. Beeswax candles come in many shapes, like votives, pillars, tapers, jars, tea lights (to put in votive candle holders), and soy versions.

Votive candles

Votive candles are small, often unscented ones that can be used for various purposes. Votive candles can be found in many shapes and sizes, but the most popular are tea light-sized. They are usually made from wax or paraffin and should not be burned for more than one hour at a time. These candles are perfect for home décor or as a gift because they come in beautiful containers. When burning votives, it is essential to keep them away from curtains and other flammable items. To maintain a lovely flame, remember to trim your wick before lighting it.

Funnel candles

Funnel candles are the perfect home accessory for any occasion. They come in a wide variety of colors and scents, which makes them appealing to everyone. Plus, they’re easy to use and last for a long time.

With so many different colors and styles available, it can be hard to narrow down your choices when buying a new funnel candle set. To help you out with that, we’ve created this list of 10 different types so you can find the one that’s right for you.

Pillar candles

Pillar candles are perfect for any occasion. They come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, but they’re all designed with the same essential function: To make your home smell like heaven. Depending on the occasion, there are also many different scents to choose from. The best part about pillar candles is that they last a long time! Since they’re so popular right now, finding a retailer that sells them near you can be tricky.

Choose the right candle size for your space

Read on for tips on choosing the perfect candle size for your space.

Giant candles can overwhelm small spaces

Opt for a smaller candle size if you’re shopping for candles and want to create a relaxing mood in a small space. Big candles may look good on your dining room table or mantle, but they can overpower smaller rooms with more intimate layouts. If you want a luxurious feel, go with larger candles in a votive holder or pillar instead of using tapers that can be shorter than six inches. Regarding pillars, bigger is usually better because these candles are typically at least 12-inches high. Don’t forget about votives! These candles are perfect if you’re looking for subtle lighting in a tight space.

Aromatherapy requires larger candles

Candle size should be proportional to the size of your space. For this reason, you may find that aromatherapy candles are often larger than other types of candles. The best way to choose the appropriate candle size is by measuring your space and finding a candle about 12-inches taller than your space. If you’re unsure how tall your space is, measure it before purchasing any candles. Suppose you have an open-concept living room or kitchen with an 18-inch doorway or opening between rooms. In that case, we recommend using taper candles in addition to jar candles because they give off less heat, creating unwanted drafts.

Candle flickering effects require smaller candles

To achieve a realistic candle flickering effect, candles need to be smaller than average so they can quickly burn down. A good rule of thumb is to never have more than three times as many candles as your candle holder will hold. This will prevent the wax from dripping and burning onto your tablecloth or rug. So if you’re using votives, it’s best to keep them within one inch. If you’re using pillars instead, keep them at least two inches apart. For example: If a votive holder holds six votives, then only 12 are allowed.

Candles that smell good need more space

It’s not just about how big a candle is; it also matters what kind of wax, scent, and wick is used. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re using a high-quality candle, you’ll need more space around it than with a low-quality one. The best light rule is that you need more space if you can smell your candle more than 10 feet away. One way to determine the size of candle you need is by figuring out how much square footage there is in the room. Then, multiply by .5 to estimate how many candles you should have. If a room has 200 square feet, then ideally, you’d want 100 candles – half would be lit at any given time so as not to overwhelm people with too much fragrance.

Conclusion

When it comes to decorating your home with candles, there are many considerations you need to think about before you get started. Choosing the candle size that will complement your space best is essential. Hopefully, this guide will help you to choose a candle of appropriate size for the decorations.