VG/PG Ratio: What Mix Should You Actually Be Using?
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In This Guide
VG/PG Ratio: What Mix Should You Actually Be Using?
Choosing your VG/PG ratio sounds like the sort of thing you need a chemistry degree for. Two mysterious acronyms, conflicting advice on forums and enough variables to make your head spin before you have even taken a puff. But it really is not that complicated. Once you know what VG and PG do, picking the right ratio is almost as easy as choosing a flavour.
Whether you are brand new to vaping or have never quite found your ideal VG/PG ratio, this guide covers everything you need to know. No jargon, no faff, just honest, helpful information.
50/50The all-rounder
High PGFor MTL and pods
70/30+For sub-ohm
3 stylesOne for everyone
What Does VG/PG Ratio Actually Mean?
VG stands for vegetable glycerin and PG stands for propylene glycol. Together they form the base of almost every e-liquid, and the VG/PG ratio simply tells you how much of each is in the bottle. The first number is normally VG, so a 70/30 liquid is 70% VG and 30% PG.
VG (vegetable glycerin)
Thick and slightly sweet. Responsible for dense, satisfying clouds and a smoother inhale.
PG (propylene glycol)
Thinner and carries flavour well. Gives the familiar throat hit many ex-smokers find reassuring.
Neither is better than the other. They simply do different jobs, and the VG/PG ratio decides what kind of vape you get. A 50/50 is equal parts of each, a 70/30 or 80/20 leans towards VG and suits cloud chasers, and a higher-PG blend gives more throat hit and sharper flavour.
Which VG/PG Ratio Is Right for Your Vaping Style?
This is where it gets personal. The best VG/PG ratio depends on how you vape and what you want from it, which is why it confuses so many people. Here is how it breaks down:
| Vaping style | Best ratio | Typical device | Typical nicotine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouth-to-lung (MTL) | 50/50 to 60PG/40VG | Pod kits and starter kits | 10mg to 20mg |
| All-rounder | 50/50 | Most starter and mid-range kits | 6mg to 20mg |
| Direct-to-lung (DTL) | 70VG/30PG or 80VG/20PG | Sub-ohm kits | 3mg or 6mg |
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) Vaping
Mouth-to-lung vaping is the style closest to smoking a cigarette: you draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale. For MTL, a VG/PG ratio with more PG is usually your best bet.
Higher PG
MTL at a glance
- ✓Best ratios: 50/50 to 60PG/40VG
- ✓The cigarette feel: A stronger, more familiar throat hit
- ✓Device match: Thinner liquid suits the tighter coils in starter kits and pod systems
- ✓Flavour over clouds: Less vapour, but clearer flavour and a satisfying nicotine hit
- ✓Fewer dry hits: Thin liquid wicks quickly into small coils
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) and Sub-Ohm Vaping
With direct-to-lung vaping, you inhale straight into your lungs, like taking a deep breath. For DTL and sub-ohm kits, a VG/PG ratio with more VG is the way forward. The thicker liquid suits bigger coils and higher wattages and produces the big clouds sub-ohm vaping is known for.
Higher VG
DTL at a glance
- ✓Best ratios: 70VG/30PG or 80VG/20PG
- ✓Performance: Thicker liquid made for larger coils and higher wattages, with much bigger clouds
- ✓Coil care: Sweet, high-VG liquids can gunk up coils, so expect to change them a little more often
- ✓Device match: Most pod systems and basic starter kits are not designed for thick high-VG liquids, so check your device first
Avoid 50/50 in sub-ohm tanks
A 50/50 VG/PG ratio is too thin for most sub-ohm coils, which often leads to leaking and spitback.
The 50/50 Sweet Spot
Not everyone wants to chase clouds, and not everyone is fresh off cigarettes craving maximum throat hit. If you are somewhere in the middle, a 50/50 VG/PG ratio is wonderfully versatile. It works in a wide range of devices and gives a good balance of flavour and vapour.
New to vaping? Start here
A 50/50 e-liquid is forgiving and consistent, and it gives you a fair idea of what vaping feels like before you start fine-tuning. Just don't put it in a sub-ohm tank and expect it to stay there.
Does VG/PG Ratio Affect Nicotine Strength?
It is a sensible question. Does your VG/PG ratio change your nicotine strength? The short answer is: not directly, but the two are closely linked in practice.
High VG, lower nicotine
High-VG liquids usually come in 3mg or 6mg. Sub-ohm kits produce far more vapour per puff, so you take in more nicotine even at a lower strength.
Higher PG, higher nicotine
Higher-PG and 50/50 liquids for MTL kits suit 12mg, 18mg or nic salts up to 20mg. With less vapour per puff, a stronger liquid is needed to feel satisfying.
In short
Match your nicotine strength to your device and VG/PG ratio, not just your personal preference. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons new vapers end up disappointed.
Can You Be Sensitive to PG?
Yes, and it is more common than people realise. Some vapers find liquids with a high-PG VG/PG ratio cause throat irritation or a dry mouth. If vaping feels uncomfortably harsh even at a sensible nicotine strength, PG sensitivity could be the cause.
The fix is usually simple: change your VG/PG ratio to a higher-VG blend. Many people with mild PG sensitivity get on perfectly well with 70/30 or 80/20. Full VG e-liquids also exist, although they suit specific sub-ohm setups and can be harder to find.
Worth knowing
If symptoms are severe or do not settle after switching, stop using that liquid and speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
A Quick Summary: Choosing Your VG/PG Ratio
Not a fan of reading paragraphs? Fair enough. Here is the short version of choosing a VG/PG ratio:
50/50
The all-rounder. Works in most devices and is the best starting point for beginners. It can leak in sub-ohm coils.
High PG (60PG/40VG or more)
For MTL vapers, a stronger throat hit and pod or starter kits. Even more likely to leak in sub-ohm coils.
High VG (70/30 or 80/20)
For sub-ohm and DTL vapers who want maximum clouds and a smoother inhale.
The beauty of the VG/PG ratio system is that you are not locked into anything. Many brands offer the same flavours in more than one ratio, so experimenting is easy. The goal is a vape that feels right for you, and with a little knowledge, finding it is genuinely straightforward.
So go on. Stop second-guessing yourself, pick a ratio that suits your setup and get vaping.
VG/PG Ratio FAQs
What does VG/PG ratio mean?
It tells you how much vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) make up the base of your e-liquid. A 70/30 liquid, for example, is 70% VG and 30% PG. VG makes bigger clouds and a smoother inhale, while PG carries flavour and gives more throat hit.
Does VG/PG ratio affect nicotine strength?
Not directly, but they go hand in hand. High-VG liquids used in sub-ohm kits are usually 3mg or 6mg, because you inhale much more vapour per puff. Higher-PG and 50/50 liquids used in MTL and pod kits suit higher strengths, such as 12mg, 18mg or 20mg nic salts.
Can you be sensitive to PG?
Yes. Some vapers find higher-PG liquids cause throat irritation or a dry mouth. Switching to a higher-VG blend, such as 70/30 or 80/20, often helps. If symptoms are severe or do not settle, stop vaping that liquid and speak to a pharmacist or GP.
What VG/PG ratio should a beginner use?
A 50/50 VG/PG ratio is the best starting point for most beginners. It works in most starter kits and pod systems and gives a balanced mix of flavour, vapour and throat hit.
