VG and PG are the two base liquids that make up every bottle of e-liquid. Their balance, shown on the label as a ratio such as 50/50 or 70/30, controls flavour, throat hit and vapour production. The NHS describes vaping as less harmful than smoking, though not risk-free, so the right blend supports a comfortable switch.
PG carries flavour with a firmer throat hit, while VG produces thicker vapour and a smoother draw. Royal Vapery stocks e-liquids across every ratio, from 50/50 nic salts to 70/30 shortfills.
What Is PG (Propylene Glycol)?
PG is a thin, near-tasteless base liquid that carries flavour and delivers the throat hit in e-liquid. Propylene glycol has a low viscosity, so it soaks into small coils quickly and releases complex flavour notes cleanly.
That same thin texture gives the sharp sensation at the back of the throat that many people switching from cigarettes look for. PG appears in everyday products including asthma inhalers, food flavourings and cosmetics. A higher PG level means stronger flavour and a firmer throat hit, with less vapour.
What Is VG (Vegetable Glycerine)?
VG is a thick, slightly sweet base liquid that produces the vapour in e-liquid. Vegetable glycerine has a high viscosity and a mild natural sweetness, so it creates dense clouds and a soft, rounded inhale.
Its thickness needs more power and a larger wick to vaporise, which is why high VG blends pair with bigger coils. VG features in common goods including toothpaste, ice cream and hand cream. A higher VG level means bigger vapour and a smoother draw, with softer flavour.
What Is the Difference Between VG and PG?
The main difference between VG and PG is texture, VG is thick and makes vapour, while PG is thin and carries flavour. This single property shapes throat hit, cloud size and which kit each base suits. The table below sets the two side by side across the attributes that change your vape.
| Attribute | PG (Propylene Glycol) | VG (Vegetable Glycerine) |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Thin, watery | Thick, syrupy |
| Flavour | Sharp and clear | Softer, slightly sweet |
| Throat hit | Firm | Gentle |
| Vapour | Low | High |
| Wicking | Fast, suits small coils | Slow, needs large coils |
| Best kit | Pod kits, MTL | Sub-ohm kits, DTL |
PG leads on flavour and throat hit, VG leads on vapour and smoothness. Most e-liquids blend the two so you gain some of each, which is where the ratio comes in.
How Does the VG/PG Ratio Change Your Vape?
The VG/PG ratio sets the balance between flavour, throat hit and vapour in your e-liquid. A ratio with more PG sharpens flavour and firms the throat hit while cutting cloud size. A ratio with more VG grows the clouds and softens the inhale while muting flavour slightly.
The ratio decides your coil match too, thin PG blends wick into small high-resistance coils, thick VG blends need wide low-resistance coils. Using a thick VG blend in a small pod coil starves the wick and burns the cotton, which tastes harsh and dry.
What Are the Most Common VG/PG Ratios?
UK e-liquids come in 3 common VG/PG ratios, each built for a different draw:
- 50/50: an even balance for pod kits and mouth-to-lung vaping.
- 70/30: a high VG blend for sub-ohm kits and bigger clouds.
- Max VG (80/20 and higher): the thickest blends for cloud-focused sub-ohm setups.
| Ratio | Draw Style | Best Kit | Typical Nicotine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50/50 | MTL (mouth-to-lung) | Pod kits, starter kits | 10mg to 20mg |
| 70/30 | DTL (direct-to-lung) | Sub-ohm kits | 3mg to 6mg |
| 80/20 and higher | DTL, cloud focused | High-power sub-ohm kits | 0mg to 6mg |
Each ratio maps to a nicotine style and a coil type, covered next.
What Is a 50/50 VG/PG Ratio?
A 50/50 VG/PG ratio is an even split of the two bases, built for mouth-to-lung vaping and higher nicotine. This balanced blend gives a firm throat hit, clear flavour and a modest amount of vapour.
It suits pod kits, vape pens and starter kits that use high-resistance coils above 1.0. A 50/50 base carries most nic salts and 10ml freebase e-liquid, at strengths up to 20mg/ml.
What Is a 70/30 VG/PG Ratio?
A 70/30 VG/PG ratio is a high VG blend that produces bigger clouds and a smoother inhale. This ratio carries enough PG for solid flavour while the extra VG grows vapour and softens the throat hit.
It suits sub-ohm kits with low-resistance coils below 1.0 and direct-to-lung vaping. A 70/30 base fills most shortfill e-liquid, sold nicotine-free at 0mg and ready for a nic shot.
What Is Max VG (80/20 and Higher)?
Max VG means the thickest blends, from 80/20 up to near 100% VG, made for maximum vapour. These ratios pour slow and need high wattage plus wide coils to wick and vaporise cleanly. Flavour softens as VG rises, since less PG remains to carry it. Max VG blends suit experienced cloud-focused vapers on sub-ohm kits, paired with low nicotine of 3mg or 6mg.
Which VG/PG Ratio Suits Your Vape Kit?
Your VG/PG ratio should match your coil resistance and draw style. Simple starter vape kits and small pods run best on 50/50, while sub-ohm kits take 70/30 or higher. The wrong pairing causes leaks, dry hits or a harsh throat hit. The two setups below cover the split.
Which Ratio Works With Pod Kits and MTL Vaping?
Pod kits and MTL kits work best with 50/50 e-liquid at higher nicotine. These devices use high-resistance coils above 1.0 and low power, which suit thin 50/50 blends and rapid wicking.
A 50/50 base at 10mg or 20mg nic salt gives a cigarette-style draw in pod kits for adults switching from smoking. High VG blends clog these small coils and waste flavour, so they belong in bigger kits.
Which Ratio Works With Sub-Ohm Kits and DTL Vaping?
Sub-ohm kits and DTL kits work best with 70/30 or higher VG e-liquid at low nicotine. These devices use low-resistance coils below 1.0 and high power, which vaporise thick VG cleanly in sub-ohm kits built for large clouds.
A 70/30 shortfill at 3mg or 6mg keeps the throat hit comfortable at higher wattage. Nic salts at 20mg do not belong in sub-ohm kits, since the nicotine delivery becomes far too strong.
How Does Nicotine Type Affect the VG/PG Ratio?
Nicotine type decides the VG/PG ratio because each type suits a different power level. Nic salts use benzoic acid to smooth high nicotine, so they sit in 50/50 blends for low-power pod kits at 10mg or 20mg.
Freebase nicotine grows harsher as strength rises, so higher VG blends pair it with lower nicotine of 3mg to 6mg. Shortfills carry a 0mg freebase base ready for a nic shot. Freebase nicotine and nic salts split on power level and throat hit, so each type suits a different kit and strength.
Are VG and PG Safe?
Yes, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine are both recognised as safe for use in food and medicines. Neither base is unique to vaping, and both appear in everyday products such as toothpaste, cough medicine and processed food.
A small number of people find PG dries the throat or causes mild irritation, and a higher VG blend usually eases it. Nicotine is the component to handle with care: wash your hands if you spill e-liquid, and keep every bottle away from children and pets.
Do UK Rules Change With the VG/PG Ratio?
No, UK rules set the same limits for every VG/PG ratio. Nicotine e-liquid caps at 20mg/ml, tanks at 2ml and nicotine bottles at 10ml under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (GOV.UK), so a 50/50 nic salt and a 70/30 shortfill follow identical rules.
Single-use disposable vapes have been banned across the UK since 1 June 2025, which makes refillable and prefilled kits the compliant route to your chosen ratio. From 1 October 2026, Vaping Products Duty adds 22p per millilitre, £2.20 per 10ml, to every e-liquid, nicotine-free liquid included, according to GOV.UK and HMRC. Sale of vaping products to under-18s is illegal in the UK, and age verification applies at checkout.
How Should You Store E-Liquid to Protect the VG/PG Blend?
Store e-liquid in a cool, dark place to keep the VG/PG blend and flavour stable. Heat and sunlight break down flavourings and darken the liquid, while cold thickens the VG and slows wicking.
Most e-liquids keep well for 1 to 2 years when sealed, and the batch and expiry details sit on the label. Keep child-resistant caps fully closed and store every bottle out of reach of children and pets.
Which VG/PG Ratio Should You Choose?
Choose your VG/PG ratio from your kit and the draw you want:
- Pick 50/50 for a pod kit, a firm throat hit and higher nicotine.
- Pick 70/30 for a sub-ohm kit, big clouds and lower nicotine.
- Pick max VG for high-power cloud setups at 3mg or 6mg.
When a ratio and coil match, flavour, vapour and throat hit all land right, and the coil lasts longer. Royal Vapery lists the ratio on every e-liquid, so you can match the blend to your kit before you buy.
Why Choose Royal Vapery for Your E-Liquids?
Every e-liquid at Royal Vapery lists its VG/PG ratio on the label, so you can match the blend to your kit before you buy. The range spans 50/50 nic salts for pod kits and 70/30 shortfills for sub-ohm kits, all MHRA-notified and TRPR-compliant.
Royal Vapery ships UK-wide from Preston, Lancashire, with free delivery over £49.99 and dispatch on orders placed before 12pm. Age verification applies at checkout, since vape sales to under-18s are illegal in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does VG and PG stand for?
VG stands for vegetable glycerine and PG stands for propylene glycol. Vegetable glycerine is the thick base that makes vapour, while propylene glycol is the thin base that carries flavour and throat hit. Every e-liquid blends the two, shown on the label as a ratio.
What is the best VG/PG ratio?
It depends on your kit and draw style. A 50/50 ratio suits pod kits, MTL vaping and higher nicotine, while a 70/30 ratio suits sub-ohm kits, DTL vaping and bigger clouds. Most beginners start at 50/50 for a cigarette-style draw.
Is 50/50 or 70/30 better for flavour?
A 50/50 ratio gives sharper flavour, since it holds more flavour-carrying PG. A 70/30 ratio gives bigger clouds and a smoother draw but slightly softer flavour. For the strongest flavour choose 50/50, and for the biggest vapour choose 70/30.
Can I use high VG e-liquid in a pod kit?
No, high VG e-liquid does not suit a pod kit. Pod kits use small high-resistance coils that cannot wick thick VG fast enough, so the cotton dries out and burns. Use a 50/50 blend in a pod kit for clean flavour and vapour.
Can I use 50/50 e-liquid in a sub-ohm kit?
Yes, you can use 50/50 e-liquid in a sub-ohm kit at low nicotine. A sub-ohm kit runs high power, so a 50/50 blend needs 3mg or 6mg to keep the throat hit comfortable. Nic salts at 20mg do not suit sub-ohm kits.
Does VG or PG carry more flavour?
PG carries more flavour than VG. Propylene glycol is thinner and blends with flavourings cleanly, so flavour notes come through sharp and clear. Vegetable glycerine adds a mild sweetness but mutes flavour slightly as its share rises.
Which VG/PG ratio makes the biggest clouds?
A high VG ratio makes the biggest clouds. Ratios of 70/30, 80/20 and higher hold more vapour-producing VG, so they suit sub-ohm kits built for large clouds. A 50/50 ratio makes modest vapour by comparison.
Is PG or VG better for throat hit?
PG gives a firmer throat hit than VG. Propylene glycol creates the sharp sensation at the back of the throat that many people switching from smoking prefer. Vegetable glycerine gives a softer, smoother inhale with little throat hit.
Can you be sensitive to PG?
Yes, a small number of people are sensitive to PG. Symptoms include a dry throat or mild irritation, and switching to a higher VG blend usually helps. Vegetable glycerine is less likely to cause irritation, so high VG blends suit sensitive vapers.
What VG/PG ratio are nic salts?
Nic salts use a 50/50 VG/PG ratio. This balanced blend wicks into low-power pod kits and delivers smooth nicotine at 10mg or 20mg. Nic salts in a 50/50 base give a firm throat hit that suits adults switching from cigarettes.
What VG/PG ratio are shortfills?
Most shortfills use a 70/30 VG/PG ratio. This high VG blend arrives nicotine-free at 0mg, ready for a nic shot, and suits sub-ohm kits at higher power. The extra VG grows vapour, so shortfills produce large clouds.
Can I mix two VG/PG ratios together?
Yes, you can mix two ratios of the same strength together. Combining equal parts of a 50/50 and a 70/30 e-liquid gives a 60/40 blend. Match the nicotine strengths before mixing so the final liquid suits your kit.
Does the VG/PG ratio affect coil life?
Yes, the VG/PG ratio affects how long a coil lasts. High VG blends are thicker and often sweeter, so they gunk up a coil faster than thin high PG blends. Matching the ratio to the coil keeps residue and dry hits down.
What is the maximum nicotine strength in UK e-liquid?
The maximum nicotine strength in UK e-liquid is 20mg/ml. This limit comes from the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (GOV.UK) and applies to every ratio and bottle size. Common strengths below the cap are 3mg, 6mg, 10mg and 20mg.
Content is for adult vapers aged 18 and over. Vaping is less harmful than smoking but not risk-free (NHS). UK-compliant under the TRPR 2016: 20mg/ml nicotine, 2ml tank and 10ml bottle limits. Single-use disposable vapes banned since 1 June 2025. Vaping Products Duty of £2.20 per 10ml applies from 1 October 2026 (GOV.UK, HMRC).
