What Are PG and VG?
Every e-liquid is made from a combination of two base liquids: Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine (VG). These are food-grade substances that have been used in consumer products for decades. Together with flavouring and optionally nicotine, they make up the e-liquid you vape.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a thin, odourless liquid that carries flavour extremely well. It produces a noticeable "throat hit" — that slight kick at the back of your throat that many former smokers find satisfying. Because it's thinner, PG is easily absorbed by the coil's wicking material, making it well suited for smaller, lower-powered devices like pod systems.
Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
VG is a thicker, slightly sweet liquid that produces significantly more vapour than PG. It delivers a smoother, less noticeable throat hit. Because of its viscosity, VG works best in more powerful devices with larger wicking ports, such as sub-ohm tanks and box mods.
Common PG/VG Ratios and When to Use Them
50/50 (50PG/50VG)
The most versatile ratio. It offers a balanced mix of throat hit, flavour and vapour production. This is the go-to for most pod systems and mouth-to-lung (MTL) vape pens. If you're not sure what ratio to start with, 50/50 is a safe bet.
70VG/30PG
A popular choice for sub-ohm vapers. The higher VG content produces thicker clouds and a smoother draw, while the 30% PG still ensures decent flavour. This ratio is commonly used in direct-to-lung (DTL) setups.
80VG/20PG or Max VG
Designed for cloud chasers and high-powered devices. Maximum vapour production with a very smooth inhale. Flavour can be slightly muted compared to higher-PG blends, but the cloud output is impressive.
70PG/30VG or Higher PG
Less common but preferred by some MTL vapers who want a stronger throat hit and maximum flavour intensity. Can be too harsh for some users, especially at higher nicotine strengths.
Matching Your Ratio to Your Device
Using the wrong PG/VG ratio in your device can cause problems:
- High VG in a pod system — The thick liquid may not wick properly, leading to dry hits and burnt coils.
- High PG in a sub-ohm tank — Can cause leaking, because PG is thinner and flows more freely through the larger coil ports.
As a general rule: use 50/50 or higher-PG liquids in pod systems and MTL devices, and use 70VG/30PG or higher-VG liquids in sub-ohm and DTL devices.
What About Nicotine Salts?
Nicotine salt e-liquids are almost always 50/50 PG/VG and are formulated for low-powered pod systems. They deliver nicotine more efficiently and with less throat harshness than traditional freebase nicotine, even at higher strengths. If you're using a pod system, nic salts are often the best choice.
Ready to find the right e-liquid? Explore our e-liquids collection for a wide range of flavours and ratios.
