PG/VG ratio explained: what 50/50 and 70/30 mean

The PG/VG ratio is the balance between propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) in an e-liquid. Higher PG gives a stronger throat hit and carries flavour sharply; higher VG gives thicker, smoother vapour and more of it. Nic salts are usually 50/50, which suits small pod coils. High-VG liquids such as 70/30 VG/PG are made for bigger tanks.

What PG and VG each do

For the full list of what goes into a bottle, from nicotine salt to flavourings, see our guide to what is in nic salt e-liquid.

Common ratios and what they suit

Labels are not always written the same way round. Most UK bottles list VG first, so 70/30 means 70% VG and 30% PG, but check the label rather than assume.

Why nic salts are 50/50

Pod kits use small coils with small wick holes. A 50/50 liquid is thin enough to soak back into the cotton between puffs, which keeps the coil wet and the flavour clean. Pour a thick high-VG liquid into the same pod and it can wick too slowly, which leads to dry hits and a burnt taste. That is why all three ranges we cover, Elfliq, Elux Legend and Bar Juice 5000, come as 50/50 nic salts.

Higher PG: more throat hit

Some vapers coming off cigarettes like a firmer catch at the back of the throat. A higher PG share gives more of that sensation. Nicotine strength plays a part too: a higher strength gives a stronger hit at any ratio. Our nic salt strength guide covers that side.

Higher VG: smoother and bigger clouds

VG makes the vapour denser and the hit softer. High-VG liquids need a device that can wick them, usually a sub-ohm tank with larger coils and more airflow. In a mouth-to-lung pod kit, they often cause more problems than they solve.

Does the ratio change nicotine strength?

No. The strength on the label, such as 10mg or 20mg, is the nicotine per millilitre, and it is the same whatever the PG/VG split. What the ratio changes is how that nicotine feels: a higher PG share makes the same strength feel a little sharper on the throat. Whether the nicotine is a salt or freebase also changes the feel, which our nic salt vs freebase guide explains.

Ratio, sweetness and coil life

VG has a mild natural sweetness, and very sweet flavours add more on top. Sweet liquids leave residue on the coil over time, which is one reason fruit and candy flavours can wear pods out faster. That is about the flavour recipe more than the ratio, but it is worth knowing if you get through pods quickly.

Mouth-to-lung or direct-to-lung

The ratio goes hand in hand with how you inhale. Mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping, where you draw vapour into your mouth before inhaling, is the style most ex-smokers find natural. It uses tighter airflow, lower power and small coils, which suit 50/50 liquids and nic salts. Direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping, where you inhale straight into the lungs like a deep breath, uses open airflow and bigger coils, which suit high-VG liquids at low nicotine strengths. Our beginner's guide explains the two styles in more detail.

Reading the label

UK nicotine e-liquid labels list the ingredients and the nicotine content. The ratio is usually printed as two numbers, such as 50/50 or 70/30, often with VG or PG beside them. If the bottle only gives one figure, such as 70VG, the rest is PG. When in doubt, the product listing on the retailer's page normally spells it out.

If a label lists neither, the product will still be a nicotine liquid notified to the MHRA, and the retailer can tell you the ratio. Ranges built for pod kits almost always use 50/50.

Choosing your ratio

• Using a pod kit? Stick to 50/50 nic salts.
• Want a firmer throat hit? Try a liquid with more PG, or a higher strength.
• Using a sub-ohm tank and want clouds? A 70/30 VG shortfill is the usual choice.
• Getting dry hits with a thick liquid in a pod? Switch to a 50/50.