If you have ever looked closely at a bottle of vape juice, you will have noticed two letters followed by a ratio: PG/VG. Usually, it says something like 50/50 or 70/30. For new vapers, this looks like a complex chemistry equation, but it is actually the most important factor in deciding how your e-liquid will perform, how it will taste, and whether it will work in your device.
The ratio of Propylene Glycol (PG) to Vegetable Glycerin (VG) dictates everything from the size of your vapour clouds to the strength of the throat hit. Get the ratio wrong, and your coil will burn out instantly or your tank will leak everywhere. Get it right, and you get the perfect vape.
In this complete 2026 guide, we explain exactly what PG and VG are, how they differ, which ratio is right for your specific vape kit, and how the upcoming UK vape tax makes choosing the right ratio more important than ever.
What Are PG and VG?
Every e-liquid is made up of four basic ingredients: nicotine (optional), flavourings, Propylene Glycol (PG), and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). PG and VG form the "base" of the e-liquid. They are the liquids that suspend the flavour and nicotine, and they are what turn into vapour when heated by your coil.
What is Propylene Glycol (PG)?
Propylene Glycol is a thin, odourless, and colourless synthetic liquid. It is used in thousands of everyday products, from asthma inhalers to food flavourings and cosmetics. In vaping, PG has three main jobs:
- Flavour Carrier: Because it is thin and odourless, PG is excellent at carrying flavour concentrates. High-PG liquids deliver a sharper, more intense taste.
- Throat Hit: PG is responsible for the "throat hit" - the scratchy sensation at the back of the throat that closely mimics the feeling of smoking a traditional cigarette.
- Wicking Speed: Because it is a thin liquid, it soaks into the cotton wick of your coil very quickly, preventing dry hits in smaller devices.
What is Vegetable Glycerin (VG)?
Vegetable Glycerin is a natural chemical derived from vegetable oils. It is significantly thicker and more viscous than PG, and it has a slightly sweet natural taste. In vaping, VG is responsible for:
- Vapour Production: VG is what creates the thick, dense clouds of vapour. The higher the VG content, the bigger the clouds.
- Smoothness: VG provides a very smooth inhale, softening the harshness of the nicotine and the PG.
- Sweetness: Because VG is naturally sweet, it can slightly alter the flavour profile of an e-liquid, making desserts and sweet fruits taste richer.
PG vs VG: Head-to-Head Comparison
To understand exactly how these two base liquids differ, here is a direct comparison of how they affect your vaping experience.
| Feature | Propylene Glycol (PG) | Vegetable Glycerin (VG) |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Thin and watery | Thick and syrupy |
| Throat Hit | Strong, sharp, cigarette-like | Very smooth, minimal throat hit |
| Vapour Production | Low (discreet clouds) | High (dense, thick clouds) |
| Flavour Intensity | High (carries flavour perfectly) | Muted (natural sweetness alters taste) |
| Wicking Speed | Fast (soaks cotton instantly) | Slow (requires larger coil ports) |
| Best Suited For | Low-wattage pod kits, MTL vaping | High-wattage sub-ohm kits, DTL vaping |
Common E-Liquid Ratios Explained
You will almost never find an e-liquid that is 100% PG or 100% VG. Instead, manufacturers blend them together to create specific ratios. The VG number is usually listed first (e.g., 70/30 means 70% VG and 30% PG). Here are the four ratios you will encounter in the UK market.
50/50 (Equal PG/VG)
This is the gold standard for modern vaping. A 50/50 ratio provides a perfect balance: enough PG to carry strong flavour and deliver a satisfying throat hit, with enough VG to create a smooth inhale and a modest amount of vapour. Almost all nic salts and bar salts are mixed at a 50/50 ratio. It is the ideal choice for beginners, ex-smokers, and anyone using a standard pod kit.
70/30 (High VG)
This is the standard ratio for shortfill e-liquids. Because it is 70% VG, the liquid is thick and produces massive clouds of vapour. The throat hit is almost non-existent, making it incredibly smooth even at high wattages. You must use a powerful sub-ohm device with large coil wicking ports to handle 70/30 juice; otherwise, the thick liquid will not soak into the cotton fast enough, resulting in a burnt coil.
80/20 or Max VG
These are extreme high-VG liquids designed purely for "cloud chasers" using rebuildable dripping atomisers (RDAs) or very powerful sub-ohm tanks. The vapour production is immense, but the flavour is often slightly muted compared to a 50/50 or 70/30 blend. They are rarely used by average vapers.
60/40 (Slightly High VG)
A 60/40 ratio is a middle-ground option that works well in slightly more powerful pod kits or restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL) devices. It offers slightly bigger clouds than a 50/50 mix but is still thin enough to wick properly in most modern pod kits.
Which Ratio is Right for Your Vape Kit?
The biggest mistake new vapers make is putting the wrong ratio of e-liquid into their device. If you put a thick 70/30 VG liquid into a low-powered pod kit, the coil cannot absorb the thick syrup fast enough. When you press the button, you will burn the dry cotton, ruining the coil instantly.
Conversely, if you put a thin 50/50 PG liquid into a high-powered sub-ohm tank, the liquid will flood the large coil ports, resulting in a mouthful of hot spit-back and a leaking tank.
Here is exactly which ratio you should use based on your device:
| Device Type | Coil Resistance | Correct Ratio | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Pod Kits (e.g., OXVA Xlim, Vaporesso XROS) | 0.8Ω to 1.2Ω | 50/50 | Small wicking ports need thin liquid to absorb quickly. |
| MTL Vape Pens | 1.0Ω to 1.8Ω | 50/50 | Low wattage requires thin liquid to vaporise efficiently. |
| Sub-Ohm Pod Mods | 0.4Ω to 0.6Ω | 60/40 or 70/30 | Medium power handles slightly thicker juice for bigger clouds. |
| Sub-Ohm Tanks | 0.15Ω to 0.3Ω | 70/30 or 80/20 | High wattage requires thick liquid to prevent flooding and leaking. |
The Golden Rule: If your coil resistance is above 1.0 ohm, use 50/50. If your coil resistance is below 0.5 ohm, use 70/30. If it sits in the middle (0.6 to 0.8 ohm), it can usually handle both, but 50/50 is safer.
Bar Salts and Nic Salts: The 50/50 Revolution
Since the UK disposable vape ban came into effect in June 2025, millions of vapers have transitioned to pod kits. To replicate the intense, sweet flavour of a disposable, the industry created bar salts.
Bar salts (and all nic salts) are almost exclusively mixed at a 50/50 PG/VG ratio. This is because the thin PG carries the heavy flavour concentrates and sweeteners perfectly, while the 50/50 thickness wicks flawlessly in the small, low-wattage pod kits that ex-disposable users prefer.
If you want your refillable vape to taste exactly like an Elf Bar or a Lost Mary, you need a 50/50 bar salt. High VG liquids will never deliver that same sharp, punchy flavour.
PG Sensitivity and Allergies
While both PG and VG are deemed safe for human consumption, a small percentage of vapers have a mild sensitivity to Propylene Glycol. If you are sensitive to PG, you may experience:
- A persistent dry or sore throat
- Mild skin irritation around the mouth
- Sinus irritation when exhaling through the nose
It is important to note that PG is a humectant, meaning it absorbs moisture. A dry throat is very common when you first start vaping, and simply drinking more water usually solves the problem. However, if the irritation persists, you may have a mild PG sensitivity. The solution is simple: switch to an e-liquid with a higher VG ratio (such as a 70/30 shortfill) to reduce your PG exposure.
The Vape Tax Impact on E-Liquid Ratios
The UK government is introducing a massive vape tax in October 2026, and the way you choose your PG/VG ratio is about to be heavily impacted by cost.
The new tax is levied based on the volume of e-liquid (per 10ml), regardless of nicotine strength. This means that large bottles of high-VG e-liquid — specifically 100ml shortfills — are going to face a colossal price increase. A 100ml shortfill that currently costs £10 to £15 could see its price jump by £10 to £30 in pure tax.
Conversely, 10ml bottles of 50/50 nic salts will see a much smaller absolute price increase because the volume of liquid is so much lower.
The Pre-Tax Guarantee: At The E-Cig Store, we are guaranteeing our current, pre-tax prices on all our own-brand e-liquids until April 2027. If you are a sub-ohm vaper who relies on high-VG shortfills, or a pod user buying 50/50 nic salts, you can continue to shop with us without paying the new inflated tax prices.
Best E-Liquids by Ratio
Whether you need a thin 50/50 liquid for your pod kit or a thick 70/30 liquid for your sub-ohm tank, here are our top recommendations for 2026.
Best 50/50 E-Liquids (For Pod Kits & MTL)
- Feast Treats Bar Salts: The ultimate 50/50 disposable replacement. Double-concentrated flavour, smooth nic salt hit, and perfect wicking in any pod kit. (Currently 4 for £10)
- ECS Liq Nic Salts: A premium 50/50 blend offering a huge range of fruit and menthol profiles. Ideal for ex-smokers using low-wattage pens. (Currently 4 for £10)
Best 70/30 E-Liquids (For Sub-Ohm Tanks & DTL)
- Hexus 100ml Shortfills: A premium 70/30 blend designed for massive cloud production and smooth inhales at high wattages. Add two nic shots to create 120ml of 3mg e-liquid. (Currently £14.99)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix 50/50 and 70/30 e-liquids together?
Yes, you can mix them, and they will blend safely. Mixing equal parts of a 50/50 and a 70/30 liquid will give you roughly a 60/40 ratio. However, mixing different flavours can result in unpredictable tastes, so it is usually better to buy the correct ratio for your device.
Why does my coil burn out faster with high VG juice?
High VG juice is thick and syrupy. If you use it in a low-powered pod kit with small wicking holes, the cotton cannot absorb the thick liquid fast enough to keep up with your vaping. You end up heating dry cotton, which burns the coil immediately.
Does higher VG mean less flavour?
Technically, yes. PG is a much better flavour carrier than VG. High VG liquids rely on sheer volume (producing massive clouds) to deliver flavour to your taste buds. If you put a 70/30 liquid in a low-powered device, the flavour will be very muted compared to a 50/50 liquid.
What ratio were disposable vapes?
Disposable vapes (which were banned in the UK in June 2025) used a 50/50 PG/VG ratio combined with nicotine salts. If you want to replicate that exact experience, you need a 50/50 bar salt e-liquid.
Can I use high VG juice if I want to vape discreetly?
No. High VG juice is specifically designed to produce massive, thick clouds of vapour. If you want to vape discreetly (stealth vaping), you should use a 50/50 PG/VG ratio in a low-wattage pod kit.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between PG and VG is the single most important step in graduating from a beginner to a confident vaper. The rule is simple: if you use a small pod kit and want strong flavour with a cigarette-like throat hit, choose a 50/50 ratio. If you use a large sub-ohm tank and want massive, smooth clouds, choose a 70/30 ratio.
Ready to stock up? Browse our full range of premium UK e-liquids today. Remember, The E-Cig Store is guaranteeing pre-tax pricing on all our own-brand liquids until April 2027, so you can lock in your favourite PG/VG blends without paying the new government premiums.
