Candles bring warmth, ambiance, and elegance to any space, from weddings and restaurants to relaxing evenings at home.

Two of the most commonly used small candles are votive candles and tealight candles. While they may appear similar, they serve different purposes.

A votive candle is a small cylindrical candle designed to burn inside a glass holder and typically lasts 10–15 hours, while a tealight candle is a smaller candle in a metal cup that burns about 3–5 hours.

Understanding these differences can help you choose the right candle for décor, events, or everyday use.

Key Differences Between Votive and Tealight Candles

• Votive candles are larger and burn longer.

• Tealight candles are smaller and burn for shorter periods.

• Votives require glass holders.

• Tealights come in built-in metal cups.

What Is a Votive Candle?

A votive candle is a small cylindrical candle designed to burn inside a glass holder and typically lasts up to 15 hours.

Votives are slightly larger than tealights and contain more wax, allowing them to burn longer and produce a brighter glow.

Because the wax melts completely as the candle burns, votives must always be used inside a votive holder, usually made of glass.

Common Uses for Votive Candles

Votive candles are frequently used for:

• Wedding centerpieces

• Restaurant tables

• Holiday decorations

• Religious ceremonies

• Home décor

Creative Candles' high-quality votives are made in the USA and designed to be:

• Smokeless

• Dripless

• Long-burning

These qualities make them ideal for events where candles need to burn cleanly and consistently.

What Is a Tealight Candle?

A tealight candle is a small, short candle poured into a thin metal cup that acts as its holder.

Tealights are typically about 1.5 inches wide and half an inch tall, making them compact and versatile.

Unlike votives, tealights do not require a separate holder because the metal cup contains the wax while it burns.

Typical Uses for Tealight Candles

Tealights are commonly used in:

• Oil or wax warmers

• Decorative lanterns

• Accent lighting

• Meditation and yoga settings

• Small candle holders

Most tealights burn for about 3-5 hours, making them ideal for shorter events or decorative displays.

What Are the Main Differences Between Votive and Tealight Candles?

Although both candles are small and decorative, several important differences set them apart.

Size

Votive candles are taller and contain more wax, while tealights are short and compact.

This size difference directly affects burn time and brightness.

Burn Time

Because votive candles contain more wax, they burn significantly longer.

• Votive candles: 10–15 hours

• Tealight candles: 3–5 hours

If you need candles to last through an entire evening event, votives are usually the better choice.

Candle Holder Type

Votive candles require a glass holder to contain melted wax during burning.

Tealights already come in their own metal cup, which acts as the candle holder and can simply be discarded after the candle burns out.

When Should You Use Votive Candles?

Votive candles are best when you want long-lasting light and elegant décor.

They are commonly used for:

• Wedding receptions

• Dinner parties

• Restaurant tables

• Holiday centerpieces

• Decorative lighting throughout the home

Because they burn longer and produce more light, votives create a warm, inviting glow that lasts through an entire event.

When Should You Use Tealight Candles?

Tealights work best when you need compact candles or shorter burn times.

They are ideal for:

• Oil and wax warmers

• Small lanterns

• Accent lighting

• Decorative candle arrangements

• Relaxation or meditation spaces

Their small size makes it easy to place multiple tealights around a room.

Key Takeaways

• Votive candles are larger and burn longer than tealights.

• Tealight candles are smaller and come in disposable metal cups.

• Votives provide brighter light and are ideal for events.

• Tealights are best for small decorative displays and warmers.

• Both candle types can be used together for layered lighting.

Create the Perfect Atmosphere with Premium Candles

At Creative Candles, we have been crafting artisan candles since 1961.

Our candles are proudly:

• Made in the USA

• Smokeless

• Dripless

• Designed for long, consistent burn times

Whether you're planning a wedding, decorating a restaurant, or creating a relaxing space at home, choosing the right candle can transform the atmosphere.