What Are shortfills E-Liquids? How Do You Use Them?
What are shortfills?
Shortfills are large nicotine-free bottles of e-liquid, part-filled to leave room for a 10ml nicotine shot. A 100ml shortfill arrives in a 120ml bottle, with a 20ml gap at the top for nicotine.
Vapers reach for shortfill e-liquids for three reasons: value per millilitre, bold flavour in large volumes, and full control over final nicotine strength. Royal Vapery stocks shortfills in 50ml and 100ml formats from Hayati, Doozy, Kingston, Ultimate Puff and more. Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk-free.
Why do shortfills contain no nicotine?
Shortfills contain no nicotine because UK law limits it. The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) cap nicotine e-liquid at a 10ml bottle and a 20mg/ml strength, per GOV.UK guidance on e-cigarette regulations.
No size cap applies to nicotine-free liquid. Brands responded by selling flavour in large 0mg bottles and supplying nicotine separately in 10ml shots. Sub-ohm vapers get through liquid quickly, and a 10ml bottle empties in a day at high wattage, so the shortfill format solved a genuine supply problem for direct-to-lung users.
What sizes do shortfill e-liquids come in?
Shortfills come in 50ml and 100ml as the two standard sizes, with 200ml options available in between. Bottle size and fill volume follow a fixed relationship: the bottle is always 20% larger than the liquid inside it.
- 50ml shortfill: supplied in a 60ml bottle with 10ml of headroom for one nicotine shot.
- 100ml shortfill: supplied in a 120ml bottle with 20ml of headroom for two nicotine shots.
- 200ml shortfill: supplied in a 240ml bottle with 40ml of headroom for four nicotine shots.
That headroom equals the exact volume of nicotine needed to reach a standard 3mg strength, so the maths is done for you before the bottle leaves the shelf.
How do you use a shortfill e-liquid?
To use a shortfill e-liquid, follow these four steps.
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1
Remove the cap and nozzle
Unscrew the cap, then prise the nozzle off the shortfill bottle. A bottle opener tool, a set of keys or a butter knife lifts it cleanly. The nozzle clicks off rather than unscrewing.
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2
Pour in the nicotine shot
Empty a full 10ml nicotine shot into the shortfill bottle. Add a second shot for a 100ml size. The liquid level should rise close to the neck of the bottle.
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3
Refit the nozzle and shake
Press the nozzle back until it clicks, screw the cap tight, then shake hard for 30 to 60 seconds. Shaking spreads the nicotine evenly through the flavour base so every draw tastes consistent.
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4
Steep, then vape
Rest the bottle in a cool dark place for a few hours to let the flavour settle, though the liquid is vapeable straight away. Fill your tank or pod and vape as normal.
Vaping at 0mg: skip the nicotine shot entirely. A shortfill arrives nicotine-free, so it is ready to vape from the bottle if you want flavour without nicotine.
What is a nicotine shot?
A nicotine shot is a 10ml bottle of concentrated, mostly unflavoured nicotine e-liquid used to add strength to a shortfill. Standard freebase nicotine shots carry a 70/30 VG/PG ratio, matching most high-VG shortfills so they blend in without thinning the mix.
Shots sit at the 20mg/ml legal ceiling, and 18mg or 20mg is the usual choice. One shot lifts a 50ml shortfill to roughly 3mg, the strength most sub-ohm vapers settle on for an all-day vape.
How many nic shots should you add to a shortfill?
The number of nic shots depends on bottle size and target strength. One 10ml shot suits a 50ml shortfill, two suit a 100ml shortfill, and both land at 3mg when the shot reads 18mg.
| Shortfill size | Nic shot strength | Shots needed | Final strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50ml (in a 60ml bottle) | 18mg/ml | 1 x 10ml | 3mg/ml |
| 50ml (in a 60ml bottle) | 20mg/ml | 1 x 10ml | 3.3mg/ml |
| 100ml (in a 120ml bottle) | 18mg/ml | 2 x 10ml | 3mg/ml |
| 100ml (in a 120ml bottle) | 20mg/ml | 2 x 10ml | 3.3mg/ml |
Direct-to-lung vapers rarely exceed 6mg, since a high-wattage device turns stronger liquid into a harsh draw. Reaching 6mg means pouring a little e-liquid out of the bottle first to make room for an extra shot.
What VG/PG ratio should a shortfill have?
The right VG/PG ratio depends on your device. Vegetable glycerine (VG) is thick and produces vapour, while propylene glycol (PG) is thin and carries flavour and throat feel.
Thick high-VG liquid needs a powerful low-resistance coil to wick and heat it, and thinner 50/50 liquid suits small, low-power kits. Match the ratio to the kit and the shortfill performs exactly as the brand intended.
High-VG shortfills (70/30)
High-VG shortfills carry a 70/30 ratio and belong in sub-ohm devices. The thick blend produces dense clouds and bold flavour through coils rated below 1.0 ohm, running at higher wattage. Pair a 70/30 bottle with one of the sub-ohm kits designed for direct-to-lung vaping. A basic pod cannot wick liquid this thick, so the coil dries out and tastes burnt.
50/50 shortfills
Fifty-fifty shortfills carry an even ratio built for low-power pods, vape pens and starter kits. The thinner blend wicks easily through high-resistance MTL coils rated above 1.0 ohm, giving a tighter mouth-to-lung draw closer to a cigarette. Brands including Kingston and Hayati produce large-format 50/50 e-liquids for vapers who want shortfill value without buying a sub-ohm kit.
Shortfill vs 10ml e-liquid vs nic salt
The main difference between a shortfill, a 10ml e-liquid and a nic salt is nicotine and effort. A shortfill arrives at 0mg and needs a nic shot, while a 10ml freebase bottle and a nic salt arrive pre-mixed at up to 20mg.
| Feature | Shortfill | 10ml freebase | Nic salt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicotine inside | 0mg, add a nic shot | Pre-mixed, up to 20mg | Pre-mixed, up to 20mg |
| Bottle size | 50ml or 100ml | 10ml | 10ml |
| Effort | Add a shot, then shake | None | None |
| Typical ratio | 70/30 or 50/50 | 50/50 | 50/50 |
| Best device | Sub-ohm kit | MTL pod or vape pen | MTL pod kit |
| Best for | Cloud chasers, low-nicotine vapers | MTL vapers wanting choice of strength | New vapers, higher strengths |
Vapers who want a strong, smooth draw from a small pod choose nic salts instead of shortfills. Shortfills win on flavour volume and cost per millilitre.
Which vape kits work best with shortfills?
The best kits for shortfills are sub-ohm devices running coils below 1.0 ohm. These handle thick 70/30 liquid, wick it fully and convert high wattage into large clouds and rich flavour. Advanced pod mods with low-resistance coils manage high-VG liquid equally well.
Fifty-fifty shortfills flip that rule. They run best in low-power MTL pods, vape pens and starter vape kits using coils above 1.0 ohm. Check the coil resistance printed on your device or its box before filling, since the wrong pairing leaks or burns.
Popular shortfill e-liquids at Royal Vapery
Royal Vapery groups its 100ml shortfill e-liquids into clear flavour profiles, each built around a familiar direction. Start with a profile you already enjoy in food and drink, then match the ratio to your kit.
| Brand | Shortfill range | VG/PG | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayati | Hayati Pro Max 100ml Shortfill | 70/30 | Sub-ohm cloud and flavour |
| Hayati | Hayati Pro Max 50/50 Shortfill | 50/50 | MTL pods and pens |
| Doozy | Doozy Seriously Slushy 100ml | 70/30 | Icy fruit slush profiles |
| Doozy | Doozy Seriously Nice 100ml | 70/30 | Sweet candy profiles |
| Doozy | Doozy Temptations 100ml | 70/30 | Sweet treat and dessert notes |
| Doozy | Doozy Seriously Soda 100ml | 70/30 | Fizzy cola and lemonade |
| Kingston | Kingston 50/50 Shortfill | 50/50 | Low-power MTL kits |
| Kingston | Kingston Gazillions 100ml | 70/30 | Bold fruit blends |
| Kingston | Kingston Menthol Range | 70/30 | Classic cool menthol |
| Ruthless | Ruthless 100ml Shortfill | 70/30 | Layered fruit and dessert mixes |
| Drifter | Drifter Bar Juice 100ml | 70/30 | Vivid sweet bar-style fruit |
| Ultimate Puff | Ultimate Puff Shakes 100ml | 70/30 | Creamy milkshake blends |
| Ultimate Puff | Ultimate Puff On Ice 100ml | 70/30 | Frosty fruit and ice finish |
| Ultimate Puff | Ultimate Puff Sherbet 100ml | 70/30 | Fizzy sherbet sweets |
| Bar Fills | Bar Fills 100ml Vape Juice | 70/30 | Familiar bar-style flavours |
| Fantasi | Fantasi 100ml Shortfill | 70/30 | Bright citrus and berry |
Fruit and slush profiles suit vapers who want an all-day flavour that stays crisp. Dessert and sweet profiles reward slower, richer vaping. Menthol and ice profiles cut through everything with a cool finish, and 50/50 ranges keep the whole shortfill format open to pod users.
How much will the Vaping Products Duty add to shortfills?
The Vaping Products Duty will add £2.20 per 10ml to shortfills from 1 October 2026. GOV.UK confirms the duty as a flat rate of 22p per millilitre on all vaping liquid, with nicotine-free liquid included and VAT charged on top.
Volume drives the charge, so large bottles carry the most duty. A 100ml shortfill attracts £22 in duty before VAT, and each 10ml nicotine shot adds a further £2.20. Duty stamps appear on retail packaging from 1 October 2026, and unstamped stock cannot be sold legally after 1 April 2027. Royal Vapery lists every shortfill with clear £ GBP pricing so the position stays transparent as the date approaches.
Why Buy Shortfill E-Liquids from Royal Vapery?
Royal Vapery is a UK online vape store based in Preston, Lancashire, supplying shortfill e-liquids, nicotine shots and compatible kits from one place. Every bottle is TRPR-compliant and MHRA-notified before it reaches the shelf.
- Authentic stock: shortfills sourced directly from Hayati, Doozy, Kingston, Ultimate Puff, Drifter, Ruthless and Fantasi.
- Full format range: 50ml and 100ml bottles in both 70/30 and 50/50 ratios for sub-ohm and MTL setups.
- UK delivery: free delivery on orders over £49.99, with dispatch on orders placed before 12pm.
- Transparent pricing: clear £ GBP pricing across the range, with multi-buy deals on shortfills and nic shots.
Browse the full e-liquids range to pair a shortfill with the right nicotine shot in a single order.
Sale of vaping products is restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Royal Vapery runs age verification at checkout. Nicotine is an addictive substance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can vape a shortfill without nicotine. Shortfills arrive at 0mg, so the liquid is ready to vape straight from the bottle. Skip the nicotine shot entirely to keep it nicotine-free. Many vapers reducing their intake move to 0mg shortfills to keep the flavour and the habit.
No, you do not have to add a nic shot to a shortfill. The shot is optional, and the shortfill works at 0mg without it. Add a 10ml nicotine shot only when you want a nicotine strength around 3mg. Leave it out for a pure flavour vape at zero nicotine.
Shake a shortfill for 30 to 60 seconds after adding a nic shot. A firm shake spreads the nicotine evenly through the flavour base so every draw tastes consistent. Longer shaking does no harm and helps thicker 70/30 blends mix fully. Vape once the liquid looks uniform in colour.
Shortfills do not strictly need steeping, though a short steep improves flavour. Rest the mixed bottle in a cool dark place for a few hours, or overnight, to let the nicotine settle into the flavour. Bottles taking two nicotine shots benefit most. You can vape the liquid immediately if you prefer.
You can use shortfills in a pod kit only when the ratio matches the coil. A 50/50 shortfill suits MTL pods running coils above 1.0 ohm. A thick 70/30 shortfill will not wick through a small pod and burns the coil, so keep high-VG liquid for sub-ohm kits.
Yes, you can use 50/50 shortfills in an MTL device. The even ratio wicks cleanly through high-resistance mouth-to-lung coils and gives a tight, cigarette-style draw. High-VG 70/30 shortfills are the wrong match for MTL kits, since the thick liquid struggles to reach the coil.
You can make a 3mg strength in a standard shortfill using an 18mg nicotine shot. One shot in a 50ml bottle, or two shots in a 100ml bottle, lands at 3mg. A 20mg shot lifts that to roughly 3.3mg. Higher strengths need you to pour a little liquid out and add an extra shot.
An opened shortfill lasts up to two years when stored correctly. Keep the cap sealed and the bottle in a cool, dark place to protect flavour and colour. E-liquid darkens naturally over time, which does not affect safety. Check the batch code and best-before date printed on the bottle.
The shelf life of a shortfill e-liquid is one to two years from manufacture. Every bottle carries a best-before date and batch code confirming the window. Cool, dark storage preserves the flavour longest. Heat and sunlight speed up the natural darkening of the liquid, so avoid leaving bottles on a windowsill.
Yes, shortfills are cheaper per millilitre than 10ml e-liquids. Buying 100ml in one bottle costs far less than ten separate 10ml bottles of the same flavour. Heavy sub-ohm vapers see the biggest saving, since they get through liquid quickly. From 1 October 2026, the Vaping Products Duty narrows that gap.
Yes, the Vaping Products Duty will make shortfills more expensive from 1 October 2026. GOV.UK sets a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml on all vaping liquid, so a 100ml shortfill gains £22 in duty before VAT, plus £2.20 per nicotine shot. The charge follows volume, so larger bottles carry more duty.
Beginners can use 50/50 shortfills in a starter pod kit. The even ratio suits simple low-power devices and delivers a familiar mouth-to-lung draw. High-VG 70/30 shortfills suit experienced sub-ohm vapers with advanced kits. New vapers wanting zero preparation often start with a ready-mixed nic salt instead.
The difference between a shortfill and a longfill is the base liquid. A shortfill is finished 0mg e-liquid needing only a nicotine shot. A longfill is concentrated flavour that you dilute with a separate VG/PG base and nicotine. Shortfills take one step, and longfills suit DIY mixers.
Shortfill bottles are never full because the empty space holds your nicotine shot. TRPR caps nicotine e-liquid at 10ml bottles, so brands sell 0mg liquid in a larger bottle with headroom. A 100ml shortfill sits in a 120ml bottle, leaving 20ml for two nicotine shots.
You can buy shortfill e-liquids in the UK from Royal Vapery, an online vape store based in Preston, Lancashire. The range covers 50ml and 100ml shortfills in fruit, dessert, menthol and drink profiles. Delivery is free over £49.99 with dispatch before 12pm. Age verification applies at checkout.
Information correct as of July 2026. Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk-free. Single-use disposable vapes have been banned in the UK since 1 June 2025. TRPR limits nicotine e-liquid to 20mg/ml, a 2ml pod or tank capacity and a 10ml bottle size. The Vaping Products Duty applies at £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid from 1 October 2026, per GOV.UK. Sale is restricted to adults aged 18 and over.
