PG/VG Ratio Explained: What It Actually Means for Your Vape
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PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerine) are the two base liquids that carry flavour and nicotine in every e-liquid. PG gives a sharper throat hit and thinner consistency; VG produces thicker vapour and a smoother, sweeter feel. The ratio between them — usually written as something like 50/50 or 70/30 — determines how an e-liquid actually behaves in your device, regardless of flavour.
Here's what each one does, and how to pick a ratio that actually suits your setup.
Contents
What is PG (propylene glycol)?
PG is a thin, flavourless liquid that carries flavour very effectively and produces the sharp throat hit most people associate with vaping. Higher-PG e-liquids feel closer to smoking in terms of throat sensation, and PG's thin consistency means it wicks well even in higher-resistance coils and lower-powered devices.
What is VG (vegetable glycerine)?
VG is thicker and slightly sweet on its own, and it's what produces the dense vapour clouds associated with sub-ohm vaping. Higher-VG e-liquids give a smoother throat hit with less sharpness, but the thicker consistency means they need lower-resistance coils and higher power to wick properly — a high-VG liquid in a low-power MTL device can lead to a weak, muted vape or a struggling coil.
How the ratio affects your vape
- Throat hit: Higher PG feels sharper; higher VG feels smoother
- Vapour production: Higher VG produces noticeably more visible vapour; higher PG produces less
- Flavour intensity: PG tends to carry flavour slightly more distinctly; VG can mute flavour marginally but adds a subtle natural sweetness
- Device compatibility: Higher PG suits higher-resistance coils and lower power; higher VG needs lower-resistance coils and higher power to wick properly
Best ratio for MTL vs DTL vaping
If you're vaping on a pod kit with higher-resistance coils, a 50/50 ratio is the standard choice — it's what most nic salts are formulated at, since it balances throat hit and vapour without overwhelming a low-power device. This is also why nic salts and MTL devices are such a natural pairing.
If you're on a sub-ohm tank running lower-resistance coils at higher wattage, a higher-VG ratio (typically 70/30 or higher) is the better match — most 100ml e-liquids are formulated this way specifically for that setup, producing the bigger clouds sub-ohm vaping is known for.
Common ratios explained
- 50/50 — balanced, works in most pod kits, standard for nic salts
- 60/40 or 70/30 (VG-leaning) — noticeably more vapour, still workable in some higher-powered pod kits
- 80/20 or "max VG" — built specifically for sub-ohm tanks and cloud-focused DTL vaping; will underperform or leak in a low-power MTL device
Using the wrong ratio for your device is one of the most common reasons a vape feels "wrong" even when the flavour and nicotine strength are right — it's worth checking before assuming a device or flavour isn't for you.
