Taper Candles: What They Are and How Long They Last

Taper candles are the tall, slender candles that stand in a candlestick holder. They are the oldest silhouette in candlelight and still the one most people picture on a set table. This guide answers the questions we hear most about taper candles: what they are, what they are made of, how long they are, how long they burn, and why some of them drip. It ends with a few quiet notes on choosing them.

What are taper candles?

A taper candle is a long, narrow candle that is wider at the base and gently narrows toward the top, made to stand upright in a candlestick holder. The name comes from that shape: the candle tapers.

Tapers were traditionally made by dipping a wick into melted wax again and again, building the candle up in thin layers. Today they are also poured into tall moulds, which allows a defined form, such as a ribbed or fluted surface. Because a taper burns in a narrow column, it gives a small, upright flame that sits at eye level when you are seated.

What are taper candles used for?

Taper candles are used mostly on the dinner table, on a mantelpiece, and anywhere a few points of light should rise above the objects around them.

Their height is the point. A low candle lights the tabletop; a taper lights faces. That is why they belong to dinners and long conversations, and why they are often used in pairs or fours rather than alone. We wrote more about this in Candles for the Dinner Table.

What are taper candles made of?

Taper candles are made of wax and a wick, like any candle. The wax can be paraffin, beeswax, soy wax, other plant waxes or a blend; the wick is usually braided cotton.

The label should tell you which wax is used. If it only says "wax", it is worth asking. Many tapers on the market also contain added fragrance or dye for colour. Ours do not: our Four Tapers are poured by hand in soy wax, with a cotton wick, and nothing added for scent or colour.

LLIOR is a Dutch candle brand that makes unscented candles from a 50/50 blend of beeswax and soy wax, with a cotton wick and no paraffin, added fragrance or dye. The pillars and the Signature Candle use that blend; the tapers are poured in soy wax alone.

How long are taper candles?

Most taper candles are between roughly 20 and 38 cm long. Common lengths are around 25 cm and 30 cm, with taller tapers for higher ceilings or larger tables.

The diameter matters as much as the length. The most common base is about 2.2 cm (7/8 inch), which fits a standard candlestick holder. Our Four Tapers are 27 cm long and 2.2 cm across, and weigh 75 g each.

Why are some taper candles ribbed?

Ribs are part of the form, not the function. A ribbed taper is poured in a mould with vertical grooves, so the surface catches light and shadow along its length, even before it is lit. Our Four Tapers are ribbed for exactly that reason.

How long do taper candles burn?

A taper candle usually burns for several hours, depending on its length, its diameter, the wax and the room. Our Four Tapers give six to eight hours of light each.

Three things shorten that time: a wick that is too long, a draught that makes the flame lean, and a candle that stands slightly crooked. All three make the flame larger or uneven, so it uses wax faster. For a fuller explanation of burn time, including how we measure it on our pillars, see How Long Does a Candle Burn?

Why do taper candles drip?

Taper candles mostly drip because of air movement, a long wick, or a candle that leans. Each of these lets melted wax spill over the edge instead of being drawn up by the wick.

• Draughts. An open window, a fan or people passing close by push the flame to one side. The wax melts unevenly and runs down the side that is warmest.
• A long wick. A longer wick makes a larger flame, which melts more wax than the wick can use. Trim it to 0.5 to 1 cm before each burn. Our guide on how to trim a candle wick explains how.
• A leaning candle. If the taper is not straight in its holder, the pool of wax tilts and spills over the lower edge.

How do you make a taper candle stand straight?

Choose a holder that fits the base snugly, and set the candle upright before lighting it. A straight candle burns more evenly.

If the base is slightly too wide, it can be softened by holding it briefly in warm water and pressing it gently into the holder. If it is slightly too narrow, a small piece of candle adhesive at the bottom of the holder keeps it in place. Check from two sides: what looks straight from your chair can still lean when seen from the side.

How to choose taper candles

Choose taper candles by their wax, their wick, their size and whether they carry scent. These four details tell you more than the price or the colour.

• Wax. Look for the type of wax on the label, not just "wax".
• Wick. A cotton wick is the usual choice for tapers.
• Size. Check the diameter against your holders, and the length against your table and ceiling.
• Scent. At the table, an unscented taper lets the food and the conversation come first. We explain why we make unscented candles in Unscented Candles.

How to care for taper candles

Trim the wick to 0.5 to 1 cm before each burn, keep the candle out of draughts, burn it for no more than four hours at a time, and place it in a stable holder on a heat-resistant surface. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

To put a taper out, lower the flame into the wax with a snuffer and lift the wick straight again. It will light more evenly the next time.

Frequently asked questions

How long do taper candles last?

Usually several hours of burning, depending on size and conditions. Our Four Tapers last six to eight hours each.

How long are taper candles?

Most are between about 20 and 38 cm. Ours are 27 cm long and 2.2 cm across.

What size holder do taper candles need?

Most tapers have a base of about 2.2 cm (7/8 inch), which fits a standard candlestick holder.

Why does my taper candle drip?

Usually because of a draught, a wick that is too long, or a candle that leans in its holder.

Are your taper candles scented?

No. Our Four Tapers are poured in soy wax with a cotton wick, without added fragrance or dye.