Church candles are sold by number, from №5 to №100. The number tells you the size: the higher the number, the thinner and shorter the candle. This guide explains the system and gives the exact measurements of all eight sizes we make.
What does the number on a church candle mean?
The number is a size, not a length. Traditionally it counted how many candles were made from one old pound of wax, about 410 grams. A №40 candle meant forty candles from a pound. That is why a bigger number means a smaller candle.
Today we pack by the kilogram, so the count per pack is higher than the number: a 1 kg pack of №40 holds 100 candles.
Church candle size chart, №5 to №100
| Size | Height | Diameter | Candles in a 1 kg pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| №5 | 38.5 cm | 20 mm | 10 pcs |
| №10 | 35 cm | 15 mm | 20 pcs |
| №20 | 30.5 cm | 9.5 mm | 50 pcs |
| №30 | 29 cm | 8 mm | 75 pcs |
| №40 | 26 cm | 7.3 mm | 100 pcs |
| №60 | 21 cm | 6.8 mm | 150 pcs |
| №80 | 18.5 cm | 6.2 mm | 200 pcs |
| №100 | 16 cm | 6 mm | 250 pcs |
The measurements are the same for our beeswax and our paraffin church candles.
Why every pack weighs 1 kg
We pack all eight sizes by weight. One pack is always 1 kg of candles. What changes is how many candles you get: 10 thick №5 candles or 250 slim №100 candles. This makes prices easy to compare and orders easy to plan.
How to choose a size
- Check the holder first. Measure the opening of your candle holder or stand and compare it with the diameter in the chart.
- Thicker candles burn longer. A №5 or №10 holds far more wax than a №80 or №100, so it lasts through a longer service or evening.
- Slim candles suit short moments. №60, №80 and №100 are the sizes for a brief prayer or a few minutes at the table.
- Count per person. For a parish or an event, the number of candles per pack matters more than the size: one pack of №80 gives 200 candles.
Beeswax or paraffin?
Both come in the same eight sizes. Beeswax candles are natural yellow and have a light honey scent. Paraffin candles cost less and suit regular, high-volume use. Many parishes and shops stock both.
Questions people ask
Is a №100 candle bigger than a №10?
No. It is the other way round. №100 is the smallest size we make: 16 cm tall and 6 mm thick. №10 is 35 cm tall and 15 mm thick.
How many candles are in a pack?
It depends on the size. A 1 kg pack holds from 10 candles (№5) to 250 candles (№100). The chart above lists every size.
Which church candle size is the most common?
That depends on the parish and the candle stands it uses. If you are not sure, measure your holders and write to us. We will suggest a size.
Can I use church candles at home?
Yes. The slim beeswax tapers that are lit in churches work just as well on a dinner table or a windowsill, in a holder that fits their diameter.
See beeswax church candles · See paraffin church candles · Ask for a wholesale quote
