While the e-liquids you love come in a huge range of different favours, nicotine strengths and consistencies there are a few ingredients that they all have in common – VG and PG.
VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol) are the two primary base liquids that make up vape juices and how much of each is used in any particular e-liquid affects your vaping experience, changing factors such as the throat hit, amount of vapour produced and so on. You will see that when you buy an e-liquid, there will be information about the ratio of VG and PG it offers, whether it is a 50/50 blend or a high VG or high PG mix.
Looking at the ratio of VG and PG in an e-liquid will give you a good idea of how it might behave – and whether it suits your preferences or not. Interested in finding out why? Dive into our guide to VG and PG for everything you need to know.
What are VG and PG used for?
While VG and PG have key roles in making e-liquid, they can also be described as diluents. Their main purpose is to dilute the flavouring and nicotine as well as create a consistency compatible with vaping.
VG is mainly responsible for vapour production while PG helps ensure the flavouring and nicotine remain well mixed throughout the e-liquid. These liquids are commonly used throughout all sorts of other everyday applications, for example VG is commonly found in products such as shampoo, skincare products and food, while you can find PG in a range of medical products as well as things like toothpaste.
VG vs PG: what is the difference?
Curious about what VG and PG are and how they can alter your vaping experience? Find out more about the properties of these two essential liquids and the way that using different ratios of each changes your vaping experience.
What is VG?
VG’s primary role in e-liquid is the way that it affects vapour production, resulting in thicker and more substantial clouds. It offers a smoother throat hit than PG and has a slightly sweet taste and thicker consistency, which can sometimes affect how quickly it is absorbed in certain devices. VG has natural origins and is generally made from plant-based materials, such as palm or coconut oil.
Small coils like those found in starter kits and pod kits often cannot cope with a high VG e-liquid due to the thickness of its consistency. The coils cannot absorb these liquids quickly enough to keep up with a normal vaping experience, resulting in dry hits and a prematurely burnt out coil. This makes high VG e-liquids better suited to sub-ohm vape kits and advanced vape kits with larger coils.
What is PG?
PG is known to change the “throat hit” that vapers get when inhaling, this is a sensation that mimics the experience of smoking. PG is also a very efficient flavour carrier, so its other major role is to improve the intensity of the flavour experience and ensure it is effectively mixed throughout the e-liquid. PG is typically synthetically made and is used in many other household items.
50/50 vape juices and high PG e-liquids have a thinner consistency, making them ideal for use with starter kits and pod vape kits. However, they can be too thin for sub-ohm and advanced vape kits as the larger coils can absorb the e-liquid too quickly, resulting in leaking, coil flooding, spitting, and gurgling.
PG vs VG: key differences
| Feature | VG (Vegetable glycerine) | PG (Propylene glycol) |
| Throat hit | Smoother | Stronger |
| Flavour carry | Weaker | Stronger |
| Vapour production | More vapour | Less vapour |
| Consistency | Thicker | Thinner |
Throat hit
High PG e-liquids provide a stronger throat hit than VG because its thinner consistency allows vapers to feel the nicotine more strongly. VG’s smoother throat hit is due to its thicker consistency and the way it carries nicotine more discreetly.
Flavour carry
Likewise, PG has a stronger flavour carry due to the fact that it is a thinner substance and has little flavour of its own. VG has a slower and less effective flavour carry, so it is less efficient in this regard.
Vapour production
High VG e-liquids are able to produce more vapour due to the fact that it is thicker and has a higher boiling point. PG has a thinner consistency that heats up more quickly and is unable to produce as much vapour in the process.
Consistency
VG is often referred to as having a syrupy consistency, while VG tends to be referred to as closer to water.
It is important to remember that while each of the liquids has areas it is stronger in, it is the combination of the two that ensures an effective e-liquid. For example, high VG liquids still carry flavour effectively, because the PG in the mix helps to ensure a good experience overall. It is the balance of these two primary ingredients that ensures a satisfying vape, and all flavoured e-liquids will include both ingredients at some percentage.
VG & PG safety
Both PG and VG are generally considered safe for inhalation by regulatory bodies and all ingredients are food-grade. What’s more, all nicotine-containing e-liquids must be approved by MHRA before sale.
Some individuals may experience some mild side effects, such as throat irritation from PG, but these are very rare. To avoid any unwanted issues, it is very important to stick to high-quality e-liquids from reputable sources like Evapo.
Choosing your PG/VG ratio
Choosing the ideal PG/VG ratio for you is all about considering your preferences, vaping style, and which device you are using. There are a wide range of different ratios to choose from, including the incredibly common 50/50 blends, as well as a variety of 60/40, 70/30 options which are typically referred to as high VG or high PG depending on the dominant ingredient..
The ideal ratio is highly subjective and depends on the things you like best. It is also important to remember that the main deciding factor for which ratio will work best is the type of device you are using.
50/50 ratio
50/50 e-liquids contain a ratio of 50% PG and 50% VG and they are the most common vape juice on the market, as they offer the perfect mix of both ingredients and are designed for use with starter kits such as vape pens or refillable pod kits.
New vapers should stick to the 50/50 ratio to begin with so they can start with an even balance, but you might find that as you become more accustomed to vaping, you'll prefer a different blend.
60/40 PG/VG
Another popular option is 60/40 PG/VG, which is still suitable for new vapers but produces a little less vapour and a more intense flavour than the 50/50 ratio.
70/30 VG/PG
Sub-ohm vapers enjoy 70/30 vape juices because they prefer a direct-to-lung experience rather than a mouth-to-lung style which is designed to replicate smoking.
80/20 VG/PG
Designed to be used with sub-ohm and advanced vape kits only, you'll be able to create some really impressive clouds with these vape juices, but it is important to remember that the lack of PG means you won't get a strong throat hit.
Max PG
Max PG e-liquids are pretty rare, but they do exist. These vape juices are dominant in propylene glycol and provide a much stronger throat hit for users. People who have just quit smoking might prefer them because the PG replicates the smoking experience.
Another e-liquid which favours a higher ratio of PG is CBD e-liquids, which will often have an 80/20 PG/VG ratio as this has been found to be the best formula for CBD containing vape products.
PG/VG ratio for flavour
When maximising flavour is your top priority, e-liquids with a high PG content are a great choice. PG has superior flavour-carrying capabilities so 50/50 or high PG liquids are the smart choice. While vapour production might be slightly less than with higher VG liquids, the focus is on a richer taste.
PG/VG ratio for sub-ohm vaping
Higher VG ratios are typically preferred for sub-ohm vaping because the thicker consistency of VG can handle the heat better in sub-ohm devices. High VG e-liquids results in increased vapour production and a smoother inhale at higher wattages, making them a good choice for sub-ohm vaping.
Choosing the right PG/VG based on wattage
The wattage of a vape device will help you decide which PG/VG ratio to use with it. Higher wattages often work well with higher VG ratios due to their heat resistance and vapour production. Lower wattages can be suitable for a wider range of ratios, including those with higher PG.
Nic salt vs freebase
Both nic salt and freebase nicotine can be used with any VG/PG ratios. The main difference is that 50/50 and high PG e-liquids are most often sold in 10ml bottles which can be sold with nicotine, so there is a wide range of nicotine strengths ranging from 3 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml.
While high VG e-liquids tend to be sold in short fills which are not sold with nicotine and so the nicotine will need to be added using nicotine shots. Nicotine shots are available in both nic salt and freebase options, but short fills are designed to have a lower nicotine strength, such as 3 mg/ml or sometimes 6 mg/ml.
As the two most important base components in e-liquids, PG and VG are essential for creating the vape juices we know and love. Deciding on the ratio that is right for you depends on both your own personal preferences and the type of vape kit you are using. Ready to start trying out different ratios or ready to choose the right one for you? Browse our huge range of e-liquids.
