The Ultimate Guide to E-liquids

Updated: 22 October 2026

E-liquid, also called ‘vape juice’, is the liquid that is heated inside a vape device. There are many different types, strengths and flavours available:

E-liquids 

Nicotine salts

Shortfills 

10ml starter e-liquids 

You can check calculations with:

E-liquid calculator 

or read more about types of e-liquid here.

What Is E-Liquid and What Is in It?

E-liquid is the bottled flavoured liquid that a vape coil heats to form a vapour. Most commercial liquids contain four main ingredients:

• Propylene glycol (PG): A relatively thin carrier liquid that helps carry the flavour and often gives a more noticeable throat sensation.

• Vegetable glycerine (VG): A thicker, naturally sweet liquid that generally increases vapour production. Its viscosity affects how quickly a coil's wick can absorb it.

• Flavourings: Food grade food flavourings to produce flavours such as tobacco, menthol, fruit or dessert.

• Nicotine, if required: An addictive substance available in different strengths. Some e-liquids contain no nicotine.

The ratio of PG to VG, the nicotine formulation and the coil's operating conditions affect how a liquid performs. Never vape liquid not bought from a reputable retailer. 

Understanding VG/PG Ratios

Ratios are usually written in the order VG/PG. A bottle marked 70VG/30PG contains 70% vegetable glycerine and 30% propylene glycol in the stated base blend.

MTL means mouth-to-lung inhalation, commonly through a tighter draw. DTL means direct-to-lung inhalation, often with more open airflow and higher liquid use. A coil below one ohm is described as ‘sub-ohm’, but resistance alone does not determine which liquid is suitable.

A thick high-VG liquid may not feed quickly enough through a small pod's coil, producing a ‘dry hit’ or burnt taste. A thin high-PG liquid may leak in a tank designed for thicker formulations. Neither ratio is automatically better and vapers are encouraged to experiment with ratios and styles before settling.

Nic Salt vs Freebase Nicotine: What Is the Difference?

Freebase nicotine is commonly found in traditional e-liquids, including some lower-strength liquids used with higher power devices. Depending on the formulation and strength, it can create a more pronounced throat sensation (‘throat hit’).

Nicotine salts use nicotine formulated with an acid to alter properties such as pH. Some blends feel less harsh at higher labelled strengths, making them ideal for lower powered pod systems. 

Types of E-Liquid: 10ml Bottles and Shortfills

10ml e-liquids are sold in several nicotine strengths. UK regulations limit nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles to 10ml and nicotine strength to 20mg/ml. A 10ml bottle may contain freebase nicotine, nicotine salts or no nicotine at all.

Shortfills are larger bottles of nicotine-free flavoured liquid that leave room for a separately purchased nicotine shot. Common examples are 50ml in a 60ml bottle or 100ml in a 120ml bottle, the extra spae is sufficient for the user to add 3mg/ml of nicotine if required (see below).

Nicotine shots are small, regulated nicotine-containing bottles, commonly 10ml at 18mg/ml or 20mg/ml, intended for mixing with shortfills. The final strength depends on all the volumes and concentrations, not the strength stated on the shot alone.

How to Read an E-Liquid Label: UK Rules

• Nicotine strength: Read the concentration in mg/ml. A label showing 10mg/ml, sometimes written as 1%, describes nicotine in the liquid, not the dose absorbed with each puff.

• Volume: Check the actual amount of liquid and whether the bottle is a 10ml refill or a larger nicotine-free shortfill.

• VG/PG ratio: Confirm the ratio and compare the formulation with the coil resistance, making sure the coil is capable of wicking the liquid.

• Ingredients and warnings: Look for ingredient information, nicotine warnings where applicable, manufacturer or responsible-party details, batch identification and appropriate product instructions.

• Packaging condition: Nicotine-containing bottles must meet child-resistant and tamper-evident requirements. Do not use a bottle that appears to have been opened or altered.

UK consumer nicotine vaping rules include a 20mg/ml maximum strength, a 10ml bottle/pod limit and a 2ml maximum tank capacity. These rules do not mean all larger nicotine-free shortfills are prohibited. From 1 October 2026, Vaping Products Duty applies at £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid, including nicotine free. 

Choosing a Nicotine Strength

There is no precise conversion from cigarettes smoked per day to an e-liquid strength. Nicotine delivery changes with the device, coil, liquid and length of draw. 

Nic Shot Mixing Step by Step

• Read both labels, including nicotine concentration, bottle capacity and mixing instructions. Check that the shortfill has enough empty space.

• Work out the intended final concentration using nicotine strength multiplied by shot volume, divided by total final volume.

• As an example, add one 10ml shot at 18mg/ml to 50ml of nicotine-free shortfill. The mixture contains 180mg of nicotine in 60ml, producing 3mg/ml.

• Open the bottles carefully, add the shot without spilling, close the shortfill and shake well, wait ten minutes for the bubbles to settle.

• Fill your pod or tank and enjoy!

Use VapeGala's e-liquid calculator to check the method. For comparison, one 10ml shot at 20mg/ml added to 50ml of zero-nicotine liquid gives approximately 3.33mg/ml, not 3mg/ml. 

Flavour Families and Examples

Flavour names describe a manufacturer's intended profile. Common families include tobacco, menthol and mint, fruit and berry, tropical, and dessert or bakery. See below for sone highly recommended examples:

Love Your Coil Gold Rolled 10ml Starter E-Liquid 

A 10ml starter e-liquid from the Love Your Coil range, a freebase 50VG/50PG range available in 3/6/12 and 18mg/ml.

Doozy Seriously Fusionz Tropical Ice 10ml Nic Salt

A nicotine salt blend made in the UK with a fruity, cooling profile listed as tropical fruit with menthol. Mixed at 50VG/50PG and available in 5mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 20mg/ml versions.

Blue Sour Raspberry IVG Pro Salts 10ml 

A nicotine salt made in the UK by one of the biggest names in the vape industry. It is a sweet berry profile combining blueberry and sour raspberry notes. Blended to a 50VG/50PG ratio, and available in 10mg/ml or 20mg/ml strengths.

Vaporesso DojoLiq Kiwi Passionfruit Guava 10ml

A tropical fruit profile nicotine salt e-liquid. Available in 10mg/ml and 20mg/ml with a slightly different PG/VG ratio of 55/45, a ratio still perfect for low power pod kits or MTL starter kits.

E-Liquid Brand Directory

Love Your Coil: A range of starter liquids and nicotine salt products.

IVG: Made in the UK, the range includes bottled nicotine salts as well as separate device and cartridge ranges.

Doozy Vape Co: Offers multiple bottled e-liquid ranges, in both nicotine salt and shortfill.

Elux: Includes bottled nicotine salts alongside rechargeable device and pod products.

Hayati E-Liquids: Contains nicotine salts and shortfill ranges in 50/50 and 70/30 ratios.

For a broader explanation of the categories, see types of e-liquid.

How Long Does a Bottle of E-Liquid Last?

A useful calculation is bottle volume divided by how much you vape in a day. For example, if someone uses 2ml a day, a 10ml bottle lasts about five days; at 5ml a day, the same bottle lasts about two days. A 50ml bottle would last about ten days at 5ml daily.

Storage, Steeping, Expiry and Child Safety

Keep bottles securely closed and stored upright where possible, away from direct sun, excessive heat, children and pets. Keep liquids in their original labelled containers. Steeping means allowing a mixed liquid to rest to allow the flavours to intensify although this is not necessary for all liquids (a lot of them are steeped sufficiently before you purchase them). Nicotine liquid can cause poisoning if swallowed and may irritate the skin or eyes. Wash skin promptly after spills. Keep all e-liquids away from children and pets. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are VG and PG?

VG is vegetable glycerine and PG is propylene glycol. They are the main base liquids in most e-liquids. The proportions of these affect viscosity, vapour output and the inhale, as well as compatibility with particular coils.

How do I add a nicotine shot to a shortfill?

Check that the bottle is designed for the shot and calculate the final concentration. One 10ml shot at 18mg/ml mixed into 50ml of zero-nicotine liquid gives 60ml at 3mg/ml. Close, mix and label it carefully, and use the e-liquid calculator to verify the numbers.

How much nicotine do I need?

There is no universal answer. Nicotine needs vary with previous smoking, device output and individual use. Adults attempting to stop smoking should ask an NHS Stop Smoking Service or pharmacist rather than relying only on a cigarettes-per-day chart.

What is the difference between a shortfill and a nicotine salt?

A shortfill is simply a larger bottle of nicotine free e-liquid with spae for the addition of nicotine shots if required. Nicotine salt describes a nicotine formulation. They are not opposite categories: a shortfill can be mixed with an appropriate nicotine shot, and nicotine salts come in ordinary 10ml bottles.

How long does a 10ml bottle last?

Divide 10ml by your average daily use. At 2ml per day it lasts about five days; at 4ml per day about two and a half days. There is no dependable conversion into an exact number of cigarettes.

How do I choose an e-liquid flavour?

Read the manufacturer's flavour description and identify the family, such as tobacco, mint, fruit or dessert. Check nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, bottle type and device compatibility first.

Sources and Further Reading

MHRA, E-cigarettes: Regulations for Consumer Products

NHS Better Health, Vaping to Quit Smoking

HMRC, How to Pay Vaping Products Duty

CAP and ASA, Electronic Cigarettes: Factual Versus Promotional Claims