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Freebase nicotine is the original form used in e-liquid. It is pure nicotine, processed to be fully active and vapour-ready. It produces a stronger throat hit than salts and absorbs more slowly into the bloodstream. Standard for sub-ohm DTL vaping and lower-strength e-liquids.
Tobacco contains nicotine naturally bound to organic acids as a salt. To make nicotine more potent and vapour-friendly, manufacturers treat it with ammonia to remove the acids and free the nicotine molecule. The result is called “freebase nicotine”: nicotine in its chemical free base form. This process was developed for cigarette manufacturing in the mid-20th century.
Freebase nicotine vapourises easily and delivers a strong throat hit. It was the original form used in e-liquid from the earliest commercial vapes. Salts only became popular around 2015 when manufacturers realised reintroducing acid produced a smoother high-strength experience.
01
Sharper throat hit
At any given strength, freebase produces more throat hit than salt. Some vapers like this for the cigarette-replacement satisfaction. Others find it harsh.
02
Slower nicotine peak
Bloodstream absorption is gradual. Satisfaction builds over the course of a vaping session rather than hitting immediately. Suits people who vape continuously throughout the day.
03
Harsh at high strengths
10mg freebase is workable but feels strong. 20mg freebase is uncomfortably harsh on most throats. This is why salts exist.
04
Smooth at low strengths
3mg or 6mg freebase is gentle and pleasant. Works well in any device. This is the comfortable low-strength range.
05
Longer-lasting effect
Slower absorption means the nicotine effect lasts longer per puff. Steady satisfaction rather than peaks and troughs.
UK TPD limits freebase to a maximum of 20mg/ml in nicotine-containing liquid. Most freebase users vape at lower strengths.
Sub-ohm DTL devices
3mg or 6mg freebase in sub-ohm coils gives the right balance of vapour, flavour and gentle throat hit. The DTL standard.
MTL tank setups
6mg or 12mg freebase in MTL coils produces strong throat hit similar to a cigarette. Some MTL users prefer this to nic salts.
Stepping down from high-nicotine
Moving from 20mg salts to 6mg freebase is a common step-down path. The lower strength still satisfies, just with a different feel.
Cloud chasing
Cloud chasers nearly always use freebase. Low nicotine, high VG, big clouds. Salts at low strength deliver too little nicotine and the chemistry suits freebase better in this use case.
Long vaping sessions
Slower absorption means freebase suits longer sessions where you want gradual rather than peak satisfaction.
UK shortfills
UK shortfills (50ml or 100ml, 0mg) are designed to take freebase nic shots. The result is always freebase, never salt.
UK law limits nicotine-containing bottles to 10ml. To sell larger bottles, manufacturers produce them as 0mg “shortfills”: under-filled bottles with room to add 10ml nic shots at home. The maths only works with freebase nicotine.
Freebase strengths
Freebase weaknesses
See our dedicated comparison article on nicotine salts vs freebase for a deeper look.
Freebase is the original vape nicotine
Pure nicotine in free base form. Stronger throat hit, slower absorption, lasts longer per puff.
Best at lower strengths
3-6mg freebase in sub-ohm DTL is comfortable and effective. 12mg in MTL is the upper comfortable limit. 20mg freebase is uncomfortably harsh for most.
UK shortfills are freebase by design
50ml or 100ml bottles with nic shots produce freebase nicotine. Salts do not work in this format.
Part of our guide
Plain-English guides to vape kit, e-liquid and common problems for UK vapers.
Back to Consumer Guides