VG vs PG vape juice explained

VG and PG are the two main e-liquid base ingredients. They do different jobs. VG produces clouds and smooth inhale. PG carries flavour and gives throat hit. Every e-liquid is a blend of both. The ratio determines how the vape feels.

Side-by-side comparison

The two ingredients have opposite strengths. Most e-liquids blend them to balance the characteristics.

Cloud production

VG: Big visible vapour clouds.
PG: Thin, less visible vapour.

Throat hit

VG: Smooth, soft inhale.
PG: Stronger, more cigarette-like throat hit.

Flavour delivery

VG: Slightly dulls flavour clarity.
PG: Crisp, defined flavour notes.

Viscosity

VG: Thick, slow-wicking (around 1000x water).
PG: Thin, fast-wicking (close to water).

Taste of pure base

VG: Slightly sweet.
PG: Almost flavourless.

Vapour temperature

VG: Slightly warmer at vapourisation.
PG: Cooler vapourisation point.

Sensitivity prevalence

VG: Very rare (under 1% of vapers).
PG: More common (estimated 5-10%).

Source

VG: Plant oils (palm, soy, coconut).
PG: Mostly petrochemical, some bio-sourced.

Where else used

VG: Food, cosmetics, toothpaste, baked goods.
PG: Food, medicine, asthma inhalers, fog machines.

Best in

VG: Sub-ohm DTL coils, high wattage, large wicking holes.
PG: MTL coils, low wattage, small wicking holes.

How to read VG/PG ratios

E-liquid labels show two numbers, like 70VG/30PG. The first is VG percentage, the second is PG. They always add up to 100% (ignoring nicotine and flavouring, which are small additions).

30VG/70PG (high PG)

Heavy throat hit, intense flavour, fast wicking. Suits high-resistance MTL coils. Common in older UK 10ml bottles. Less common in 2026.

50VG/50PG (balanced)

The MTL standard. Good throat hit, good flavour, works in pod kits and MTL tanks. Most common UK 10ml ratio.

70VG/30PG (high VG)

Sub-ohm DTL standard. Bigger clouds, smoother throat, good flavour. Most common UK shortfill ratio.

80VG/20PG (max VG)

Cloud-focused. Big visible vapour, very smooth. Some flavour reduction. Premium sub-ohm shortfills.

Choosing the right ratio for your kit

Check your coil's resistance
Above 1.0 ohm = MTL, needs higher PG. Below 1.0 ohm = sub-ohm, needs higher VG. The coil tells you what the e-liquid should be.
Match VG/PG to coil type
MTL coil + 50VG/50PG. RDL coil + 60VG/40PG. Sub-ohm coil + 70VG/30PG or higher.
Consider what you want to optimise
Throat hit and flavour: lean higher PG. Clouds and smoothness: lean higher VG. Most users want a balance.
Watch for sensitivity symptoms
Dry mouth, sore throat, mild headache after vaping high-PG: try higher VG. The sensitivity is usually PG, not VG.
For UK 10ml bottles: usually 50/50
Most UK MTL e-liquids in 10ml bottles are 50VG/50PG. Designed for pod kits and MTL tanks. No surprises.
For UK shortfills: usually 70/30 or 80/20
Shortfills (typically 50ml or 100ml bottles, 0mg nicotine) are made for sub-ohm DTL. High VG. Add nic shots if you want nicotine.

What happens with the wrong ratio

Mismatched VG/PG ratios produce specific symptoms. Knowing what to look for helps you spot the problem.

Right ratio symptoms

Smooth, consistent vapour
Good flavour
Coil life of 1-3 weeks
No spitting or flooding
Throat hit appropriate for nicotine strength

Wrong ratio symptoms

High-PG in sub-ohm coil: harsh, spitting, burns coil fast
High-VG in MTL coil: weak flavour, flooding, gurgling
Very high PG: irritation, dry mouth, sore throat
Very high VG: thick clouds with reduced flavour intensity
Coil life cut to days rather than weeks

How ratios affect nicotine

The same nicotine strength feels different in different ratios. Worth understanding when adjusting nicotine levels.

High PG amplifies throat hit: 10mg nicotine in 70PG/30VG feels stronger than 10mg in 30PG/70VG. The PG carries nicotine to the throat more aggressively.
High VG smooths nicotine: Same nicotine concentration feels softer in high-VG liquid. Better for higher concentrations or sensitive throats.
Nic salts and ratios: Nicotine salts produce smooth throat hit even at 20mg. They work best in 50VG/50PG balanced liquids.
Freebase nicotine and ratios: Standard nicotine. Works in any ratio but feels different in each. Higher PG produces sharper hit.
Sub-ohm and high nicotine: 20mg nicotine in a sub-ohm DTL setup with high VG is uncomfortably harsh. Use 3-6mg instead.

Sensitivity: VG vs PG

Both can cause sensitivity but the patterns are different.

PG sensitivity (more common)

Symptoms: dry mouth, sore throat, mild headache, occasional skin rash. Affects estimated 5-10% of vapers. Often resolves quickly with higher-VG ratios.

VG sensitivity (rare)

Symptoms: persistent dry mouth, throat discomfort, occasional respiratory issues. Affects under 1% of vapers. Switching ratios may not help. Some users move to NRT alternatives.

True allergic reactions

Very rare for both. Symptoms include skin reactions, breathing difficulty, swelling. Stop vaping immediately and see a GP.

Distinguishing from other issues

Some “sensitivity” reactions are actually due to flavourings, sweeteners or nicotine strength, not the base ingredient. Try a simple, lightly-flavoured liquid first to test.

Common myths about VG and PG

“PG is antifreeze.” Pharmaceutical-grade PG used in e-liquid is a different product from automotive antifreeze, just like food-grade salt is different from rock salt for de-icing. PG is also used in asthma inhalers.
“VG is healthier than PG.” Neither has shown significant health concerns at vaping concentrations. PG sensitivity is more common; that does not make VG “healthier” in any general sense.
“Max VG is the best ratio.” Max VG suits some setups but is too thick for most pod kits and MTL tanks. The right ratio depends on your kit, not on a universal “best”.
“You can mix any ratio in any device.” No. MTL coils are designed for thin, fast-wicking liquid. Sub-ohm coils need thick liquid. Mixing them up causes problems.
“Higher VG means safer.” No evidence supports this. Both VG and PG are well-tolerated by most people at vape concentrations.
“100% VG has no PG.” Mostly true but check the label. Some “100% VG” liquids still have small amounts of PG in flavour concentrates or nicotine carriers.

The bottom line

Both ingredients have a specific job

VG produces clouds and smooth inhale. PG carries flavour and gives throat hit. Most e-liquids blend them.

Match ratio to coil

50/50 for MTL pod kits and tanks. 70/30 for sub-ohm DTL. Never mix the wrong ratio into the wrong device.

PG sensitivity is more common but manageable

Around 5-10% of vapers prefer higher VG to avoid PG symptoms. Max-VG liquids exist for the most sensitive.

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Age Verification

VG vs PG vape juice explained

Side-by-side comparison

How to read VG/PG ratios

Choosing the right ratio for your kit

What happens with the wrong ratio

How ratios affect nicotine

Sensitivity: VG vs PG

Common myths about VG and PG

The bottom line

Consumer Guides

VG vs PG vape juice explained

Side-by-side comparison

How to read VG/PG ratios

Choosing the right ratio for your kit

What happens with the wrong ratio

How ratios affect nicotine

Sensitivity: VG vs PG

Common myths about VG and PG

The bottom line

Consumer Guides