Catholic Candle Size Guide: Every Type, Every Size

Walking into a Catholic church supply catalog can be overwhelming. There are 3-day candles, 5-day candles, 7-day candles, votives, pillars, sanctuary lamps, vigil lights, Paschal candles... and that is before you get into different wax types, fragrances, and brands.

If you are a pastor, a parish secretary, a gift shop buyer, or just someone setting up a home altar, this guide will help you understand what each candle size is for and which one you need.

Quick Comparison Table

Candle Type	Typical Size	Burn Time	Primary Use
Votive candle	1.5" x 2"	8-12 hours	Personal prayer intentions, votive stands
3-day candle	2" x 5"	60-72 hours	Short novenas, weekend intentions
5-day candle	2.5" x 6.5"	100-120 hours	Medium-length prayer intentions
7-day candle	2.75" x 8.5"	140-168 hours	Week-long intentions, novenas, sanctuary
Sanctuary lamp	Various sizes	1-7 days	Tabernacle presence indicator
Pillar candle	3" x 6" / 3" x 9"	50-90 hours	Altar decoration, processions
Paschal candle	2-4" x 24-60"	Varies	Easter season, baptisms, funerals
Vigil / Memorial candle	Various	24-48 hours	Funeral vigils, wakes, all-night prayer

Votive Candles

Votive candles are the smallest type commonly used in Catholic churches. They are short, cylindrical candles designed to burn down completely in a glass holder (a votive cup).

• Typical size: 1.5 inches diameter x 2 inches tall (standard votive)
• Burn time: 8-15 hours depending on quality
• Use: Lighting personal prayer intentions at votive stands, home prayer, small shrines
• Available in: White, red, green, blue, purple (for different feasts and seasons)

Most parishes use votive candles in their side-chapel votive stands with a donation box. Typical suggested donation is $1-3 per candle.

Tip: When buying votives, make sure they fit your existing votive cups. There are slight variations in diameter between brands.

3-Day Candles

3-day candles (also called "three-day sanctuary candles" or "devotional lights") are the mid-size option between votives and 7-day candles.

• Typical size: ~2 inches diameter x 5 inches tall
• Burn time: 60-72 hours (about 3 days)
• Use: Weekend prayer intentions, shorter novenas, special feast days

They are a good option for churches that want something larger than a votive but do not need a full 7-day burn time. They are also popular for home use during special prayer weeks.

5-Day Candles

5-day candles fill the gap between 3-day and 7-day sizes. They are less common than the other sizes but useful for certain situations.

• Typical size: ~2.5 inches diameter x 6.5 inches tall
• Burn time: 100-120 hours (about 5 days)
• Use: Parish missions, triduums, medium-length intentions

Many parishes use 5-day candles for special weeks like Advent mission or Lenten mission, where they want a candle that lasts through the entire event but not necessarily a full week.

7-Day Candles (Sanctuary / Devotional Lights)

The 7-day candle is the workhorse of Catholic devotional life. These tall glass-jar candles are everywhere in churches — near the tabernacle, before statues, in side chapels, and on home altars.

• Typical size: 2.75 inches diameter x 8.5 inches tall (standard 7-day jar)
• Burn time: 140-168 hours (about 7 days)
• Use: Week-long prayer intentions, novenas, sanctuary lamps, home altars
• Available in: Red (most common for sanctuary), white, green, blue, purple

7-day candles are sold both plain (for church use with your own labels) and pre-labeled with specific devotions (Our Lady of Guadalupe, Divine Mercy, St. Jude, etc.).

Learn more about 7-day prayer candles →

Sanctuary Lamps

The sanctuary lamp (also called the tabernacle lamp) is the candle or light that burns near the tabernacle to indicate the Real Presence of Christ. It is required in every Catholic church.

• Size: Varies widely — from small hanging lamps to large standing ones
• Burn time: 1-7 days depending on size
• Use: Indicating the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
• Color: Always red

Sanctuary lamps can use:

• Special sanctuary candles (usually 7-day red glass candles)
• Oil lamps (traditional but higher maintenance)
• Electric lights (common in modern churches for safety and convenience)

Pillar Candles

Pillar candles are solid wax candles without a container. They are used primarily for decoration and processional purposes.

• Common sizes: 3x6 inch, 3x9 inch, 3x12 inch
• Burn time: 50-120 hours depending on size
• Use: Altar decoration, processions, weddings, feasts
• Available in: White, gold, ivory, and liturgical colors

Altar candles (the two candles on the altar during Mass) are a type of pillar candle, usually 12-18 inches tall, in brass or glass candlesticks.

Paschal Candle

The Paschal candle is the large, blessed candle that is the central symbol of the Easter Vigil. It represents the Risen Christ.

• Typical size: 2-4 inches diameter x 24-60 inches tall (varies by church size)
• Burn time: Designed to last through the Easter season (50 days) for major liturgies
• Use: Easter Vigil, baptisms, funerals, processions during Easter season
• Decoration: Usually decorated with a cross, the Alpha and Omega, and the current year

Paschal candles are a specialty item. They are blessed at the Easter Vigil and then used throughout the Easter season at all major celebrations. After Easter, they are moved to the baptistry and lit during baptisms, and also placed near the casket at funerals.

Vigil & Memorial Candles

Vigil candles (sometimes called "wake candles" or "memorial candles") are designed to burn through the night for prayer vigils, wakes, and all-night adoration.

• Size: Various — usually 24-48 hour burn time
• Use: Funeral wakes, all-night adoration, prayer vigils, retreats
• Safety: Almost always in glass containers for overnight burning safety

Many parishes also distribute small vigil candles to parishioners during Holy Week (especially the Easter Vigil) and other special occasions.

How to Choose the Right Size

For churches

• Votive stand: Start with votives. If you get heavy traffic, add some 3-day and 7-day options at higher price points.
• Sanctuary lamp: 7-day red glass candle is standard. Change weekly.
• Altar: Pair of matching pillar candles (size based on altar proportions).
• Gift shop: Stock 7-day candles (best sellers), votive packs, and gift sets.

For home altars

• Beginner / small space: 7-day candle + a couple of votives
• Traditional Catholic setup: Central 7-day candle + two side votives or pillars
• For novenas: 7-day candle (lasts through the 9 days if you burn it for about 16 hours/day)

For gift shops

• 7-day candles are your #1 seller — stock plain and popular devotional labels
• Votive 12-packs are a great affordable impulse buy
• Gift box sets sell well around holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day)

Buying Tips

1. Always order samples first — burn time, wick quality, and glass quality vary a lot between suppliers.
2. Buy in bulk for best pricing — the per-candle cost drops significantly at 500+ pieces.
3. Consider custom labels — churches and gift shops can get their own branding for a small premium.
4. Plan ahead for seasons — Advent and Easter are peak times. Order 4-6 weeks ahead.
5. Store in a cool, dry place — extreme heat can warp candles and affect burn time.

If you need help figuring out exactly which candle sizes and quantities are right for your church or store, contact PrayKits. We supply parishes and retailers of all sizes and can help you get the right mix.