You're standing in the vape shop, or scrolling the website at midnight, staring at three bottles that all look basically the same. Same flavour, same size, same price — give or take. The only difference is a little set of numbers on the label: 50/50, 70/30, Max VG.
You have absolutely no idea what any of that means. So you just pick the one with the nicest looking bottle and hope for the best.
Here's the thing though — that little number matters more than the flavour name half the time. Get it wrong and you'll either be coughing up a lung on a device that's gurgling back at you, or wondering why your cloud-chasing tank is barely producing a wisp.
Understanding 50/50 vs 70/30 vs max VG is genuinely one of the most useful things you can learn as a vaper. This guide breaks down exactly what those ratios mean, what PG and VG actually do inside your device, and how to match the right one to your kit.
Quick Reference: What's Going Wrong and What to Do
| What's Happening | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Vape gurgles or spits liquid | VG too thick for a tight MTL coil | Switch to 50/50 or drop to a thinner blend |
| Barely any vapour cloud | PG too high for a sub-ohm DTL tank | Move up to 70/30 or a max VG e-liquid |
| Throat feels harsh and dry | High PG ratio, common in 50/50 blends | Try a higher VG blend or a smoother nic salt |
| Coil gunks up fast | Sweet, high-VG liquid on a coil not built for it | Match the ratio to your coil's resistance |
| Bottle shows 0mg nicotine | It's a shortfill, meant to take a nic shot | Add a nicotine shot before use |
Quick Answer: Which Ratio Should You Actually Buy?
If you're using a simple pod kit or an MTL vape tank — stick with 50/50 e-liquid. It's thin enough to wick properly through a tight coil and gives you a satisfying throat hit.
If you've got a sub-ohm tank or a box mod built for clouds — you want max VG e-liquid, usually 80% VG or higher. It flows through wider wicking ports and produces thick, dense vapour.
70/30 sits in the middle. A decent option for devices with slightly more open airflow than a standard MTL pod but not quite full sub-ohm. When in doubt, check your coil's resistance. Anything above 1.0 ohm wants a thinner, higher PG liquid. Anything below 1.0 ohm wants a thicker, higher VG one.
✅ The Golden Rule
Check your coil's resistance before you buy. Above 1.0 ohm = 50/50. Below 1.0 ohm = max VG. 70/30 sits in between. That single number determines everything.
What Do PG and VG Actually Do?
Every e-liquid is built from four ingredients: nicotine, flavourings, and two base liquids called PG and VG.
According to the NHS, e-liquid normally contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavourings — and these ingredients are all regulated in the UK. The UK Health Security Agency confirms the same basic makeup. The ratio between PG and VG is what changes how a liquid actually behaves in your device.
PG (propylene glycol) is thin and carries flavour sharply. That's why higher PG blends taste more intense and give a stronger throat hit — similar to what smokers are used to.
VG (vegetable glycerine) is thicker and sweeter. It's what's responsible for those big, dense clouds along with a smoother feel on the throat.
💧 PG — Propylene Glycol
- Thin consistency — wicks easily through tight coils
- Stronger throat hit — closer to a cigarette
- Sharper flavour — carries taste more intensely
- Best for: MTL pod kits, high-resistance coils
💨 VG — Vegetable Glycerine
- Thick consistency — needs wide wicking ports
- Smoother throat hit — easier on the inhale
- Bigger clouds — dense, visible vapour
- Best for: Sub-ohm tanks, box mods, cloud chasing
What Is 50/50 E-liquid?
A 50/50 e-liquid is exactly what it sounds like — an equal split of PG and VG. It's the most balanced option and the standard choice for pod kits and MTL tanks, including most of the nic salts in our 10ml e-liquids collection.
The thinner consistency wicks easily through tight, high-resistance coils — which is exactly what beginner devices are built around.
Flavour and throat hit are both solid on 50/50. Cloud production is moderate rather than huge. Which suits anyone who wants a discreet, cigarette-like draw rather than a room full of vapour.
This is usually the safest starting point if you're not sure what your device needs.
What Is 70/30 E-liquid?
A 70/30 blend shifts the balance towards VG. That gives noticeably smoother clouds and a gentler throat hit, while still keeping enough PG to carry decent flavour.
It sits between the tight draw of an MTL pod and the wide open airflow of a sub-ohm tank. Which is why it's often paired with restricted direct lung (RDL) devices.
If your MTL pod feels a little harsh and you fancy something smoother without jumping straight to max VG, 70/30 can be a good middle step. Provided your device can actually wick a slightly thicker liquid without gurgling.
What Is Max VG E-liquid?
Max VG e-liquid — sometimes labelled 80/20 or higher — is built almost entirely around vegetable glycerine.
This is the format you'll find in most 100ml shortfill bottles. Designed specifically for sub-ohm tanks and box mods with wide wicking ports that can handle the thicker consistency.
Clouds are huge. The inhale is very smooth. Throat hit is minimal. Which is part of why max VG is popular with cloud chasers and flavour enthusiasts who want a soft, easy draw.
The trade-off? It needs a device genuinely built for it. A tight MTL coil simply cannot wick liquid this thick.
Myth vs Reality: PG and VG
There's a fair bit of confusion floating around about what these ratios actually mean. Here's how some common claims stack up.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Higher VG is always "better" | It's only better for cloud and DTL devices. On a tight MTL kit, it just clogs the coil and gurgles |
| PG is somehow unsafe to inhale | The NHS and UKHSA both confirm PG is a standard, regulated e-liquid ingredient. Genuine allergies are rare |
| 50/50 is only for total beginners | Plenty of experienced MTL vapers stick with 50/50 for the throat hit and flavour balance |
| All shortfills are strong, sweet flavours | Shortfill just describes the bottle format. The ratio and flavour profile are completely separate choices |
✅ Reality Check
Neither PG nor VG is "better" on its own. The right ratio is whichever one your device is actually built to wick properly — matched to how much throat hit or cloud you personally want.
How to Pick the Right Ratio, in 4 Steps
- Check your device. Look at your coil's resistance. Above 1.0 ohm generally means MTL — built for thinner, higher PG liquid. Below 1.0 ohm — often called sub-ohm — means it's built for thicker, higher VG liquid.
- Match the airflow. A tight, restricted draw wants a higher PG ratio to wick properly. An open, airy draw wants higher VG to keep up with the airflow and produce a decent cloud.
- Weigh throat hit against cloud. If you want a stronger throat sensation and sharper flavour, lean towards more PG. If you want big, smooth clouds, lean towards more VG.
- Start at 50/50 if you're unsure. It's the safest, most universally compatible ratio. Adjust up or down from there once you know how your specific device and coil respond.
Which Ratio Fits Which Device
Matching your e-liquid to your device isn't just about preference. It genuinely affects how well the device performs. A coil designed for one ratio will often leak, gurgle, or burn out early if you feed it the wrong one.
If you're building out a new setup, our coils collection lists the resistance of each coil — which is the quickest way to check compatibility.
| Device Type | Recommended Ratio | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed pod kit | 50/50 | Tight coil needs a thin liquid to wick without flooding |
| MTL vape tank | 50/50 – 60/40 | Restricted airflow, similar wicking needs to a pod |
| RDL tank | 70/30 | A halfway point between tight MTL and open sub-ohm |
| Sub-ohm DTL tank | Max VG (80%+) | Wide wicking ports built specifically for thick liquid |
Why Do Shortfills Come With No Nicotine?
This comes down to UK law rather than a marketing choice. Under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 — which brought the EU's Tobacco Products Directive into UK law and is still enforced by the MHRA — any e-liquid containing nicotine must be sold in a bottle no larger than 10ml, with a maximum strength of 20mg/ml. Vape tanks and pods are also capped at 2ml capacity.
Since bigger bottles like 100ml shortfills would breach that 10ml nicotine limit, manufacturers sell them with 0mg nicotine instead. Leaving space in the bottle for you to add your own 10ml nicotine shot separately. That keeps the nicotine-containing portion within the legal limit while still letting you buy e-liquid in bulk.
If you're buying a shortfill, you'll need a nicotine shot to go with it — unless you're deliberately going nicotine-free. Most 100ml shortfills leave exactly enough room for two 10ml shots, which brings you up to a 120ml bottle at a lower overall strength.
🔍 Real UK Rule
Nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles are capped at 10ml under UK regulation enforced by the MHRA. That's why bigger shortfill bottles are always sold at 0mg and topped up with separate nicotine shots.
What Happens If I Use the Wrong Ratio?
Using the wrong ratio for your device is rarely dangerous. But it makes for a genuinely unpleasant vape.
Too much VG in a tight MTL coil usually means the liquid can't wick fast enough. That leads to gurgling, spit-back, and a burnt taste as the coil runs dry in patches.
Too much PG in a sub-ohm tank tends to flood the coil instead. Producing weak flavour, harsh hits, and a much shorter coil lifespan.
⚠️ Safety Note
A very small number of people are sensitive to PG, experiencing a dry mouth or mild throat irritation. If this happens consistently, switching to a higher VG blend or a nic salt e-liquid — rather than pushing through — is the sensible option.
Final Verdict: Which Ratio Is Right for You
There's no single "best" VG PG ratio — only the right one for your device and what you want out of a vape.
Stick with 50/50 for pod kits and MTL tanks. Reach for 70/30 if you want something a little smoother on a halfway device. And save max VG for sub-ohm tanks built to handle it.
If you're not sure where your current kit fits, our Vaporesso kits range and vape tanks collection both list coil resistance clearly — which is the fastest way to work out which ratio your device actually wants.
At a Glance: Issue, Fix, and Where to Shop
| Issue | Fix | Where to Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Gurgling on an MTL pod | Switch to a 50/50 e-liquid | 10ml e-liquids collection |
| Weak clouds on a sub-ohm tank | Move up to a max VG shortfill | 100ml e-liquid collection |
| Shortfill with no nicotine | Add a separate nic shot | Nicotine shots collection |
| Not sure of your coil's build | Check the resistance before buying | Coils collection |
| Want a proven all-round kit | Try an entry-level Vaporesso kit | Vaporesso kits collection |
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I mix 50/50 and max VG e-liquid myself?
You can — though the result will depend on how much of each you use. And it's easy to end up with an inconsistent ratio. If you want a specific blend like 70/30, it's usually simpler and more reliable to buy it pre-mixed. Manufacturers measure ratios precisely, and you avoid guesswork that could affect how well your coil wicks.
Q. Does a higher VG e-liquid always taste sweeter?
VG has a naturally mild sweetness on its own, so higher VG blends can taste slightly sweeter than an identical flavour in a higher PG base. However, this effect is usually subtle. The flavouring itself has a much bigger impact on overall taste than the base ratio does.
Q. Will 70/30 e-liquid work in a standard pod kit?
It might — but it's not ideal. Most sealed pod kits use tight, high-resistance coils designed for thinner 50/50 liquid. So a 70/30 blend can sometimes wick slowly or cause gurgling. It's generally safer to check your specific pod's recommended ratio before trying anything thicker than 50/50.
Q. Why does my throat feel dry after vaping high PG e-liquid?
PG can have a mild dehydrating effect on some people — drawing moisture from the mouth and throat. That's why staying hydrated helps if you notice this. It's not harmful for most people, and the sensation often eases as your body adjusts. Switching to a higher VG blend can also reduce it.
Q. Is max VG e-liquid stronger in nicotine than other ratios?
No. The PG/VG ratio and the nicotine strength are two completely separate things. A max VG e-liquid can be bought in exactly the same nicotine strengths as a 50/50 — from 0mg upwards. The ratio only affects throat hit, cloud, and thickness — not how much nicotine is in the bottle.
Q. What ratio do disposable vapes typically use?
Most disposable and prefilled pod-style vapes use a 50/50 or similar balanced ratio, since they're built around small, tight coils designed for MTL vaping. This is part of why switching from a disposable to a refillable pod kit using 50/50 e-liquid tends to feel like the most familiar transition.
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- Every e-liquid we sell is genuine, TPD registered, and clearly labelled with its ratio
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- A full range of 50/50, 70/30, and max VG e-liquids alongside matching hardware
Browse 50/50, 70/30, and max VG blends — all TPD compliant with free next-day delivery over £40.
About the Author
This guide was written by the Vape Online Store editorial team, who research UK e-liquid formulation, hardware compatibility, and vaping regulations every week to help vapers choose the right products for their setup. We are not medical professionals, and this article is for general information rather than personal health advice.
