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understanding e-liquid labels

How to Read E-Liquid Labels UK: A Complete Guide

Vape Guide · 2026

Updated September 2026 · The E-Cig Store · 7‑minute read

Choosing an e-liquid isn't just about picking a flavour you like. The label tells you important details — nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, bottle size, ingredients and intended use — and knowing what they mean helps you choose a liquid that works better with your vape kit and replacement pod. This matters most with a refillable pod kit, where the wrong e-liquid can affect flavour, vapour and how well the pod wicks.

Quick Answer

When reading an e-liquid label, check the nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, e-liquid type (nic salt or freebase), bottle size, ingredients, flavour and safety information — then make sure the liquid is suitable for your vape kit or replacement pod.

Notice: From 1 October 2026, the UK's Vaping Products Duty (VPD) charges £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid (before VAT), covering nic salts, freebase, shortfills, zero-nicotine and prefilled pod liquids, though hardware like batteries, tanks and empty pods stays untaxed. This is expected to raise e-liquid prices, so if you want to stock up at current prices, browse our e-liquids collection while pre-duty stock lasts.

What Information Is on an E-Liquid Label?

A UK e-liquid bottle or its packaging can contain several pieces of information. For nicotine-containing e-liquids sold in Great Britain, UK rules require details such as ingredients, nicotine content and relevant warnings on the packaging.

Check the Nicotine Strength

One of the first things to look for is the nicotine strength, usually written as 0mg, 5mg, 10mg, 18mg or 20mg — or a percentage such as 0.5%, 1%, 1.8% or 2%. The figure in mg/ml tells you the amount of nicotine per millilitre: 10mg/ml means 10mg of nicotine per 1ml, so a 10ml bottle labelled 10mg/ml contains 100mg of nicotine in total. The right strength is a personal choice — our guide on 5mg vs 10mg vs 20mg nic salts can help.

Understand the VG/PG Ratio

Next, look for VG/PG. VG (vegetable glycerine) is a thicker, viscous liquid; PG (propylene glycol) is thinner. You may see 50VG/50PG, 60VG/40PG or 70VG/30PG. A 50/50 e-liquid has an equal balance — The E-Cig Store's 50/50 e-liquid range includes a wide selection of 50/50 vape juices and nic salts designed for pod kits. The ratio matters because a thicker high-VG liquid may not suit a small pod designed around thinner e-liquid. Our PG vs VG guide covers this in detail.

Check Whether It's Nicotine Salt or Freebase

The label may also tell you what type of nicotine the e-liquid contains. Nicotine salt e-liquids are especially common in smaller pod kits — look for "Nic Salt", "Nicotine Salt" or "Salt Nicotine" on the bottle. Freebase e-liquids generally give a stronger throat hit. Don't choose on nicotine type alone; your device, pod resistance and manufacturer's recommendations matter too. See nic salts vs freebase for a full comparison.

Check the E-Liquid Bottle Size

The bottle size tells you how much vape juice you're buying. In the UK you'll commonly see 10ml bottles of nicotine-containing e-liquid — for example, Elux Legend products are sold in 10ml bottles. UK rules currently limit nicotine-containing refill containers to 10ml and nicotine concentration to 20mg/ml. You may also see larger nicotine-free shortfill bottles, so always check the packaging carefully.

Read the Ingredients List

The ingredients section tells you what's in the e-liquid — commonly vegetable glycerine (VG), propylene glycol (PG), nicotine (where present), flavourings and other permitted ingredients. UK guidance requires manufacturers and importers to provide ingredient information as part of the notification process.

Ingredients shouldn't be treated as a simple list of everything safe to inhale. UK regulations restrict certain substances and additives in nicotine-containing e-liquids. If you have a specific allergy or sensitivity, check the manufacturer's information before use.

Don't Ignore the Nicotine Warning

If an e-liquid contains nicotine, the packaging should carry the required warning: "This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance." Keep nicotine-containing e-liquid away from children and pets, and follow the storage and handling instructions supplied — our guide on how to store e-liquid has more.

Look for the Flavour and E-Liquid Type

The front of the bottle usually makes the flavour easy to identify — menthol, blueberry, tobacco, strawberry, grape, fruit blends, dessert or ice. But the flavour name alone doesn't tell you whether it suits your pod. Always look further down the label for nicotine strength + VG/PG ratio + e-liquid type + bottle size — that combination gives a much better idea of whether the product matches your setup.

What Does "TPD Compliant" Mean?

You may see references to TPD (the Tobacco Products Directive) on UK packaging. UK requirements are implemented through the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR), covering nicotine concentration, refill container size, product notification, child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging, ingredients, labelling and health warnings. The MHRA states that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and e-liquids must be notified and published before they can be supplied in the UK.

E-Liquid Label Cheat Sheet

  1. Find the nicotine strength.
  2. Check whether it's nicotine salt or freebase.
  3. Find the VG/PG ratio.
  4. Check the bottle size.
  5. Read the ingredients and safety information.
  6. Check your vape kit's recommended e-liquid type.
  7. Check your replacement pod's resistance.
  8. Make sure the pod is compatible with your device.
Tip: pod resistance and e-liquid work together. Our 0.6Ω vs 0.8Ω vs 1.2Ω pod guide explains how to match them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for on an e-liquid label?

Check the nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, nicotine type, bottle size, ingredients, flavour and safety information, and whether the liquid is suitable for your device and pod.

What does 50/50 mean on e-liquid?

50/50 means the liquid contains an equal VG and PG ratio. These liquids are commonly used with refillable pod kits and MTL devices.

What does 20mg mean on vape juice?

20mg means 20mg of nicotine per millilitre. In Great Britain, 20mg/ml is the maximum permitted nicotine concentration for consumer supply.

Is 50/50 e-liquid good for refillable pods?

50/50 e-liquid is commonly suited to refillable pod kits, particularly lower-power MTL devices. Always check your device manufacturer's recommendations.

How do I know which replacement pod to buy?

Start by checking your exact vape kit model, then check pod compatibility, resistance, filling method and the manufacturer's recommended e-liquid specifications.

How often should I change a vape pod?

There's no fixed schedule because lifespan varies with usage, e-liquid and settings. Burnt flavour, reduced flavour, leaking or less vapour can all indicate a replacement is needed.

Are e-liquids regulated in the UK?

Yes. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and refill containers are subject to UK requirements covering nicotine concentration, container size, ingredients, packaging, labelling and product notification.

Final Thoughts

An e-liquid label can tell you far more than the flavour. Nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, nicotine type, ingredients and bottle size all help you work out whether a product suits your setup. For refillable pod users the biggest takeaway is simple: don't look at the e-liquid and pod separately — your liquid, pod resistance and device should work together. If your current pod is no longer delivering the flavour you expect, it may be time for a replacement.

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18+ only. Nicotine is an addictive substance. Vaping is intended for adult smokers and existing nicotine users. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and UK regulations.

 

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