What VG/PG Ratio Does My Vape Need?

If you've ever looked at a bottle of e-liquid and wondered what 50VG/50PG or 70VG/30PG actually means, you're not alone. More importantly, those numbers aren't just another e-liquid specification. They can help determine whether a vape juice is suitable for your kit.

As a general starting point, 50VG/50PG e-liquids are commonly used with refillable pod kits and lower-powered MTL devices, while thicker 70VG/30PG e-liquids are generally better suited to higher-powered sub-ohm kits.

There are exceptions, though. Modern vape kits cover a huge range of coil resistances and power levels, while 50/50 shortfills have also made larger bottles available to pod users. That's why we'd always consider the e-liquid, coil and device together rather than choosing by VG/PG ratio alone.

In this guide, we'll explain what VG and PG do, which ratios suit different types of vape and what can happen when your e-liquid is too thick or too thin for your setup.

What Do VG and PG Mean in E-Liquid?

Almost every e-liquid contains a mixture of vegetable glycerine (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). The ratio tells you how much of each is used in the formulation. So, a 50VG/50PG e-liquid contains an even balance of the two, while a 70VG/30PG e-liquid contains a higher proportion of vegetable glycerine.

Changing that balance affects the consistency of the vape juice and how it behaves inside your vape.

What Is VG?

Vegetable glycerine, usually shortened to VG, is the thicker of the two liquids.

Higher proportions of VG are commonly associated with:

• A thicker e-liquid.
• Denser vapour production.
• A softer throat sensation.
• The lower-resistance coils and higher power levels commonly used for sub-ohm vaping.

This is why you'll often see 70VG/30PG and other high-VG formulations used for traditional shortfill e-liquids.

The downside is that thicker liquid needs a coil capable of absorbing it efficiently. Put a very high-VG vape juice into a small pod designed around thinner liquids and the coil may struggle to keep itself properly saturated.

What Is PG?

Propylene glycol, or PG, has a much thinner consistency than VG.

Increasing the proportion of PG generally creates a thinner e-liquid and can contribute to a more noticeable throat sensation. Its thinner consistency also makes balanced VG/PG blends well suited to many of the smaller coils found in refillable pod and MTL kits.

PG is also an effective carrier for flavourings, although we'd avoid judging how flavourful an e-liquid will be purely by its PG percentage. The flavour formulation, coil and device you're using all contribute to the final result.

VG/PG Ratios Explained

You don't need to memorise every possible ratio. A few common formulations cover most of the e-liquids you'll encounter.

VG/PG ratio	Commonly suited to	What to expect
50VG/50PG	Refillable pod and MTL kits	Balanced consistency suited to many smaller coils
60VG/40PG	Some pod, MTL and lower-powered setups	Slightly thicker than 50/50 and dependent on coil compatibility
70VG/30PG	Sub-ohm and higher-powered kits	Thicker liquid with greater vapour production
80VG/20PG and above	Compatible high-powered setups	Very thick e-liquid requiring a coil designed to handle it

Think of this table as a starting point rather than a universal compatibility chart. Vape technology doesn't divide neatly at a particular VG percentage, and the coil you're using matters just as much as the name of the device.

What VG/PG Ratio Is Best for a Pod Kit?

For many refillable pod kits, 50VG/50PG is where we'd start.

The balanced consistency works well with the smaller wicking ports and lower power levels commonly found in pod systems. It's also why so many nic salt and 10ml freebase e-liquids use a 50/50 formulation.

Popular refillable systems such as OXVA XLIM and Vaporesso XROS are good examples of the type of kit commonly paired with 50/50 vape juice, although you should still consider the particular pod or coil you're using.

Can You Use Shortfills in a Pod Kit?

Yes, provided you choose the right shortfill for your device.

This is an important distinction because shortfill doesn't automatically mean 70VG/30PG. While traditional shortfills are often higher in VG and intended for sub-ohm vaping, there are now larger 50VG/50PG pod-fill shortfills designed for compatible refillable pod and MTL kits.

At UK Vape Supply, ranges such as Doozy Seriously Pod Fill and City Vape 50/50 shortfills give pod users the option of buying larger bottles without switching to a thick sub-ohm liquid.

UK Vape Supply Tip: Don't choose an e-liquid based on bottle size alone. A 100ml 50/50 pod-fill and a 100ml 70/30 shortfill may look similar on the shelf, but the VG/PG ratio tells you much more about which vape they're designed to suit.

What VG/PG Ratio Is Best for Sub-Ohm Vaping?

For a higher-powered sub-ohm kit, we'd generally start by looking at 70VG/30PG e-liquids or another higher-VG formulation recommended for the coil you're using.

Sub-ohm setups typically use lower-resistance coils, greater power and more airflow. They vaporise considerably more e-liquid with each draw than a small MTL pod, so the thicker consistency and greater vapour production associated with high-VG vape juice suits this style of vaping well.

This is also where you'll find many traditional 50ml and 100ml shortfills.

However, we'd avoid treating “sub-ohm” as an automatic instruction to buy the highest VG percentage you can find. An 80VG liquid is considerably thicker than 70VG, for example, and your coil still needs to be designed to wick it effectively.

The manufacturer's recommendations for your coil should always take priority if you're unsure.

Does Coil Resistance Affect Which E-Liquid I Should Use?

Yes, but resistance is only part of the picture. You'll sometimes see very rigid advice suggesting that everything above a particular resistance should use 50/50 e-liquid and everything below it should use 70/30. Modern vape kits aren't quite that simple.

Refillable pod systems now offer coils across a wide range of resistances, including lower-resistance options capable of producing a more open, powerful vape. At the same time, two coils with similar resistance figures can be designed to operate at different wattages or with different e-liquid formulations.

Rather than relying on the resistance number alone, we'd look at:

• The recommended wattage range of the coil.
• The type and size of wicking system it uses.
• Whether it's designed for MTL, RDTL or DTL vaping.
• The VG/PG ratios recommended by the manufacturer.

If the manufacturer gives a specific e-liquid recommendation for your pod or coil, that's the best place to start.

Our Advice: Think of coil resistance as a useful clue, not a complete compatibility guide. Your coil, power level and VG/PG ratio all need to work together.

What Happens If My E-Liquid Is Too Thick for My Vape?

If your e-liquid contains more VG than your coil is designed to handle, it may struggle to absorb the liquid quickly enough.

This is particularly relevant with small pod coils. A thick 70VG/30PG or 80VG/20PG e-liquid moves through the wick more slowly than a balanced 50/50 blend. If the coil can't replenish the liquid between draws, you may notice:

• Dry or burnt-tasting draws.
• Flavour becoming weaker or inconsistent.
• Reduced vapour production.
• Problems becoming worse when taking several draws close together.

A burnt taste doesn't automatically mean your VG/PG ratio is wrong. An old coil, insufficient priming or vaping above the recommended power can cause similar problems. But if a new pod repeatedly struggles with a high-VG liquid, it's worth checking whether that formulation is actually suitable for it.

Switching to a thinner e-liquid recommended for the coil may solve the problem.

What Happens If My E-Liquid Is Too Thin?

The opposite can happen when a very thin e-liquid is used in a coil designed around thicker, higher-VG vape juice.

If liquid reaches the coil faster than it can be vaporised, you may experience gurgling, spitting or leaking. In some cases, the coil can become flooded with excess e-liquid.

Again, VG/PG isn't the only possible cause. Damaged seals, worn coils, incorrect assembly, condensation and the way a device is stored can all contribute to leaking or flooding. The important point is that thicker isn't always better and thinner isn't always better. Your vape needs an e-liquid with a consistency its coil can handle properly.

Is the Wrong VG/PG Ratio Damaging My Coil?

A badly matched e-liquid can certainly affect coil performance and potentially shorten its useful life.

Repeated dry hits caused by poor wicking can damage the cotton inside a coil, while persistent flooding can make a vape unpleasant and unreliable to use. If you're repeatedly having problems with different new coils while using the same e-liquid, checking the VG/PG ratio is a sensible troubleshooting step.

Good to Know: A single burnt or leaking pod doesn't necessarily mean you've chosen the wrong vape juice. Look for a repeated pattern before blaming the VG/PG ratio.

Does Nicotine Type Change the VG/PG Ratio I Need?

Nicotine type and VG/PG ratio are two separate parts of an e-liquid.

This is an important distinction because terms such as nic salt, freebase and shortfill can easily get mixed up with VG/PG when you're choosing vape juice.

For example:

• A nic salt can use a 50VG/50PG formulation.
• A freebase e-liquid can also be 50VG/50PG.
• A shortfill might be 70VG/30PG for sub-ohm vaping.
• Another shortfill could be 50VG/50PG for a compatible pod kit.

So you shouldn't assume nic salt means 50/50, freebase means high VG or shortfill means 70/30 without checking the actual product.

If you're unsure about the difference between these e-liquid formats in the first place, our Nic Salts, Freebase or Shortfills: Which E-Liquid Is Right for You? guide covers that separately.

Does Nicotine Strength Affect Which VG/PG Ratio I Should Choose?

Your device compatibility should still come first. Nicotine strength and VG/PG ratio influence different parts of the vaping experience, so we'd avoid choosing a thicker or thinner liquid purely because you want a particular nicotine strength.

In practice, higher-strength bottled nic salts are commonly available as 50/50 liquids and used in lower-powered pod or MTL devices. Traditional high-VG shortfills, meanwhile, are commonly used at lower nicotine strengths or without nicotine in more powerful devices.

That combination makes sense because higher-powered setups vaporise more e-liquid per draw.

The key is to find a nicotine strength that suits you within an e-liquid formulation appropriate for your device.

Which VG/PG Ratio Should I Choose?

If all the different ratios still feel confusing, you can simplify the decision considerably.

If you're using...	Start by looking at...
Refillable pod kit	50VG/50PG
Lower-powered MTL vape	50VG/50PG
Compatible pod kit and want a larger bottle	50/50 pod-fill shortfill
Higher-powered sub-ohm kit	70VG/30PG or another suitable high-VG liquid
A device specifically designed for very high-VG liquid	80VG/20PG or above, where recommended
A coil you're unsure about	Check the manufacturer's recommendation first

Vape kits and coils have developed considerably, and there are plenty of products that don't fit perfectly into a simple pod-versus-sub-ohm split. Your manufacturer's recommendations should always take priority over a general rule.

What If I Don't Know My Vape's Recommended VG/PG Ratio?

Start by identifying the device and pod or coil you're currently using. The coil is particularly important because the same vape kit may support several different coil options.

Look for the manufacturer's recommended wattage and any guidance on suitable e-liquid formulations. You can then compare this with the VG/PG ratio shown on the e-liquid you're considering.

If you're shopping with UK Vape Supply and aren't sure whether a particular vape juice is suitable for your kit, it's much better to check with us before buying than repeatedly struggle with an incompatible liquid!

Does Flavour Change Which VG/PG Ratio I Need?

Not usually. Choosing strawberry instead of menthol doesn't suddenly mean your vape needs a different VG/PG ratio. Device compatibility should remain the priority.

Where you may notice a difference is between different e-liquid ranges. Your favourite flavour might be available as a 50/50 nic salt in one range and a 70/30 shortfill in another. Even though the flavour name looks familiar, the two liquids may be intended for completely different vaping setups.

That's another reason we'd always check the formulation rather than buying purely by flavour.

Find the Right E-Liquid for Your Vape

VG and PG can look unnecessarily technical when you first start comparing e-liquids, but the basic principle is straightforward: your vape needs a liquid that its coil can absorb and vaporise efficiently.

For many refillable pod and MTL kits, 50VG/50PG is a sensible starting point. For higher-powered sub-ohm setups, 70VG/30PG and other suitable high-VG liquids are more common.

Once you've established what your vape kit needs, choosing your e-liquid becomes much easier. You can then concentrate on nicotine strength, flavour and whether you prefer nic salts, freebase e-liquid or a larger shortfill.

Explore the full e-liquid range at UK Vape Supply, including 50/50 e-liquids, pod-friendly shortfills and higher-VG shortfills for compatible sub-ohm kits.