What Are Shortfill E-Liquids?
Shortfill e-liquids are partially filled bottles of 0mg vape juice that leave approximately 20% of the bottle empty for nicotine shots. UK TPD regulations restrict nicotine-containing e-liquids to a maximum 10ml bottle size.
Shortfill e-liquids bypass this restriction because they contain no nicotine at the point of sale. A 50ml shortfill sits inside a 60ml bottle, leaving room for one 10ml nic shot.
A 100ml shortfill occupies a 120ml bottle, allowing space for two 10ml nic shots. Sub-ohm vape kits, refillable pod systems, and vape pen devices work well with shortfill e-liquids due to their higher VG content and larger tank capacities.
What Ingredients Are In Shortfill E-Liquids?
Shortfill e-liquids contain 4 core ingredients: Vegetable Glycerine (VG), Propylene Glycol (PG), food-grade flavourings, and optional sweeteners. Shortfill e-liquids contain no nicotine by default. Users add 10ml nicotine shots separately to reach their desired nicotine strength after purchase.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
Propylene Glycol (PG) is a thin, flavourless liquid that acts as a diluent in shortfill e-liquids. PG enhances flavour delivery by carrying flavour molecules more efficiently than VG. Propylene Glycol creates a throat hit similar to traditional cigarettes, making PG-heavy blends suitable for adult smokers transitioning to vaping.
Vegetable Glycerine (VG)
Vegetable Glycerine (VG) produces larger, denser vapour clouds during exhalation. VG creates a mild, smooth inhale with a slightly sweet undertone. High VG content at 70% or above supports sub-ohm devices that operate at higher wattages. Vegetable Glycerine increases liquid viscosity, requiring coils with larger wicking ports.
Other Ingredients
Natural or artificial flavourings provide the taste profile in every shortfill e-liquid. Optional sweeteners, such as sucralose, enhance specific flavour notes like dessert or candy blends. Some shortfill e-liquid bundles include nicotine shots inside the packaging.
These additional ingredients allow vapers to customise both flavour intensity and nicotine levels.
How to Use Shortfill E-Liquid in Your Vape?
To use shortfill e-liquid in your vape, follow these 8 steps:
- Unscrew the bottle cap from the shortfill bottle.
- Remove the nozzle or dripper tip to expose the wide opening.
- Pour one 10ml nicotine shot into the shortfill bottle.
- Mix the nicotine shot with the nicotine-free liquid inside the bottle.
- Seal the bottle tightly by replacing the nozzle and cap.
- Shake the bottle vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds to distribute nicotine evenly.
- Leave your shortfill to steep briefly for 2 to 5 minutes before use.
- Refill your vape tank or pod with the mixed shortfill e-liquid.
How to Mix Nic Shots with Shortfill E-Liquids?
To mix nic shots with shortfill e-liquids, open the shortfill bottle and pour the entire 10ml nicotine shot directly into the nicotine-free liquid.
Shortfill e-liquids are manufactured at 0mg nicotine strength and require separate nic shots for nicotine content.
A 50ml shortfill mixed with one 18mg nic shot produces approximately 3mg nicotine strength across 60ml of total liquid.
A 100ml shortfill combined with two 18mg nic shots produces approximately 3mg strength across 120ml. Adding two nic shots to a 50ml shortfill increases the concentration to approximately 6mg.
Shake the bottle firmly after adding each nic shot to ensure even nicotine distribution throughout the e-liquid. Uneven mixing creates inconsistent throat hit and nicotine delivery between refills.
Which Is Better: 50/50 or 70/30 E-Liquid Ratio?
The best VG/PG ratio depends on your vaping device and preferred inhale style.
| Feature | 50/50 VG/PG | 70/30 VG/PG |
| Vapour Output | Thin vapour, minimal clouds | Thick, dense vapour clouds |
| Throat Hit | Stronger, cigarette-like throat hit | Smooth, minimal throat hit |
| Best Device | MTL pod kits, vape pens | Sub-ohm devices, DTL tanks |
| Flavour Balance | Balanced flavour delivery | Smooth, cloud-focused flavour |
| Nicotine Type | Nicotine salt or freebase | Freebase nicotine (best ratio for sub-ohm) |
How to Adjust Strength of Shortfill E-Liquids
Shortfill e-liquids do not contain nicotine at the point of purchase. Users adjust nicotine strength by adding 10ml nic shots to the shortfill bottle.
A 50ml shortfill plus one 18mg nic shot creates 60ml of e-liquid at approximately 3mg nicotine strength.
A 100ml shortfill plus two 18mg nic shots creates 120ml at approximately 3mg. Adding one nic shot to a 100ml shortfill reduces the strength to approximately 1.5mg. Users control nicotine intake by selecting the number and concentration of nic shots added. Higher concentration nic shots (20mg) produce slightly stronger results per volume of liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shortfill Vape Juice
Which Nicotine Shot Works Best with Shortfills?
The best nicotine shot depends on the VG/PG ratio of your shortfill e-liquid. High-VG nic shots at 70/30 ratio blend seamlessly with sub-ohm shortfill liquids. Freebase nicotine shots deliver a stronger throat hit during inhalation. Nicotine salt shots provide a smoother, less harsh inhale at higher concentrations. Most nic shots are flavourless and do not alter the shortfill's original taste profile.
What Is the Best VG/PG Ratio for Shortfills?
The best VG/PG ratio for shortfills depends on the vaping device in use. A 70/30 or 80/20 high-VG ratio works best for sub-ohm devices operating above 30W. A 50/50 ratio suits MTL pod kits and low-wattage vape pens. Higher VG content produces thicker vapour clouds and a smoother throat feel. Lower VG ratios enhance flavour sharpness and throat hit intensity.
What Are the Best Vape Devices for Shortfill E-Liquids?
Refillable pod kits, vape pens, DTL devices, and restricted DTL systems work well with higher-VG shortfill e-liquids. Popular options from Royal Vapery include:
- OXVA Xlim Series: compact pod kits with adjustable airflow for MTL and restricted DTL vaping
- Vaporesso XROS Series: refillable pod systems with mesh coil technology for enhanced flavour
- Uwell Caliburn Series: lightweight pod devices with side-fill pods for quick refills
Can I Vape a Shortfill Without Adding Nicotine?
Yes. Shortfill e-liquids are nicotine-free by default. Many vapers use shortfill e-liquids without adding nicotine because the liquid delivers robust flavourings and smooth vapour at 0mg strength.
How to Calculate Nicotine Levels in Shortfills?
To calculate nicotine levels in shortfills, divide the total nicotine content by the combined liquid volume. A 50ml nicotine-free shortfill mixed with one 10ml 18mg nic shot produces approximately 3mg nicotine strength across 60ml of total liquid. Nicotine strength depends on 2 variables: the nic shot volume (10ml) and the nic shot concentration (typically 18mg or 20mg).
What Are the Best Shortfill E-Liquid Brands?
The 6 leading shortfill e-liquid brands at Royal Vapery include:
- Drifter: known for bold 50/50 and high-VG fruit blends in 100ml bottles
- Doozy: offers the Seriously range with dessert, fruity, and slushy profiles
- Hayati: delivers bar-style flavours in shortfill format for disposable switchers
- Wick Liquor: premium 50ml shortfills with complex, layered flavour combinations
- Kingston: budget-friendly 100ml shortfills across fruity, menthol, and dessert categories
- Candy King: sweet, candy-inspired e-liquids with high VG content for cloud production
These brands offer highly-rated flavours, large bottle options, and blends suited for different vaping styles from MTL to DTL.
What Are the Best Shortfill E-Liquid Flavours?
Shortfill e-liquid flavours fall into 4 main categories that appeal to different taste preferences. Sweet dessert flavours such as vanilla custard, caramel, and bakery blends suit vapers who prefer rich, indulgent profiles. Fruity blends including blue razz, strawberry, mango, and mixed berry combinations remain the most popular among sub-ohm vapers. Menthol-based e-liquids deliver a cooling sensation on the inhale and pair well with fruit flavours like watermelon ice and grape ice. Tobacco shortfill flavours replicate the taste of traditional cigarettes for adult smokers seeking a familiar experience during the switch to vaping.
How Much Flavour Concentrate for 100ml Shortfill?
A 100ml shortfill bottle sits inside a 120ml container, leaving space for two 10ml (20ml total) nicotine shots. Adding 2 nic shots to a 100ml shortfill produces 120ml of e-liquid at approximately 3mg nicotine strength. The flavour concentrate is pre-mixed at the factory to account for this dilution, so the final blend retains consistent taste after nic shot addition.
Are Shortfill E-Liquids Taxed in the UK?
Yes. A new UK Vaping Products Duty starting 1 October 2026 applies a flat-rate excise tax of £2.20 per 10ml on all e-liquids, including shortfill e-liquids. The tax applies regardless of nicotine strength.
Estimated duty costs under the new vape tax:
- 50ml shortfill: £11.00 in excise duty (plus VAT)
- 100ml shortfill: £22.00 in excise duty (plus VAT)
Where to Buy Shortfill E-Liquids in the UK?
Shortfill e-liquids are available from trusted UK vape retailers with age-verified checkout systems. Royal Vapery stocks a comprehensive range of shortfill e-liquids, offering multiple VG/PG combinations in 50ml and 100ml bottle sizes. The selection includes cost-effective multi-buy deals, a wide flavour range from leading UK brands, and fast delivery across the United Kingdom.
