VG vs PG Explained: What's Actually in Your E-Liquid

Every bottle of e-liquid lists a ratio like 50/50 or 70/30 — that's the split between VG and PG, the two base liquids everything else is mixed into. Here's what each one actually does and why the ratio matters for what you buy.

PG (Propylene Glycol)

Thin, almost water-like, and it's what carries flavour most effectively — a high-PG liquid tastes noticeably stronger and truer to the flavour it's meant to be. It also produces less vapour, and gives a sharper, more noticeable throat hit. Some people are mildly sensitive to PG (a dry throat or mild irritation); if that's you, a lower-PG liquid usually solves it.

VG (Vegetable Glycerin)

Thicker and slightly sweet on its own, VG is what produces big, dense clouds — the higher the VG, the more vapour you get. It's smoother on the throat than PG but dulls flavour slightly and carries it less efficiently.

Why the ratio is matched to your device

This isn't just a taste preference — it's practical. High-VG liquid is thick enough that it can't wick properly through the narrow, high-resistance coils in small pod kits, causing dry hits and burnt cotton (see our burnt taste troubleshooting guide if that's happening to you). Low-VG liquid in a sub-ohm tank built for thick juice will flood and leak. That's why:

50/50 — the balanced middle ground, works in almost any device including simple pod kits. Most nic salts and freebase 10ml e-liquids use this ratio.

70/30 (VG-heavy) — built for sub-ohm tanks and bigger kits, this is the standard for shortfills, giving the big clouds and smoother throat hit those devices are designed around.

The short version

Small pod kit, mouth-to-lung style → 50/50 (nic salts). Bigger sub-ohm tank, direct-to-lung clouds → 70/30 (shortfills). If you're not sure which your device is, check our Nic Salts vs Shortfills guide or get in touch and we'll point you at the right one.