VG vs PG: E-Liquid Ratios Explained

Look at almost any bottle of vape juice and you’ll see two little abbreviations somewhere on the label: PG and VG. You might also see something like “50/50” or “70VG/30PG” alongside them.

Those numbers are more important than they may look. The PG/VG ratio affects how thick an e-liquid is, how easily it flows through your coil, how much vapour it produces and even how the throat hit feels.

If you’re comparing VG vs PG, though, there’s no need to decide that one ingredient is better than the other. Most e-liquids contain both because they do slightly different jobs, and changing the balance allows manufacturers to create vape juice for different types of devices and vaping styles.

In this guide, we’ll explain what PG and VG actually are, where these surprisingly ordinary ingredients are used outside vaping and how to choose the right PG VG ratio for your vape.

What Are PG and VG?

PG and VG are the two main carrier liquids used in e-liquid. Nicotine and flavour concentrates make up the rest of the formulation, although the exact proportions vary between products.

Both liquids are clear, nearly odourless and capable of holding other ingredients in solution, which makes them useful for far more than vaping.

That’s one reason the names may sound more exotic than the substances actually are. There’s a good chance you’ve already eaten, applied or otherwise encountered products containing PG or glycerine long before you ever picked up a vape.

What Is PG?

PG stands for propylene glycol. It’s a clear synthetic liquid that mixes readily with water and is useful as both a solvent and a humectant — in other words, it can dissolve other substances and help products retain moisture.

Commercial propylene glycol is traditionally manufactured by reacting propylene oxide with water. The resulting material can then be purified to the appropriate grade for uses such as foods, medicines, cosmetics and other consumer products.

That same combination of properties makes PG extremely useful in e-liquid. It mixes readily with nicotine and flavour concentrates while remaining much thinner than vegetable glycerine.

Where Is Propylene Glycol Used Outside Vaping?

PG is certainly not an ingredient invented for e-cigarettes. It has been widely used for years in products including:

• Cosmetics and skincare products
• Deodorants and personal-care products
• Topical medicines
• Some oral and liquid medicines
• Food flavourings and colourings
• Processed foods where moisture retention is useful
• Toothpaste and other personal-care formulations
• Industrial heat-transfer, coolant and de-icing applications

Its widespread use comes largely from its ability to act as a solvent, carry other ingredients and attract water.

What Is VG?

VG stands for vegetable glycerine, also known as vegetable glycerin. Chemically, the substance itself is glycerol.

Glycerol can come from several sources, but the VG used in e-liquid is derived from plant-based fats and oils — hence the word “vegetable.”

Vegetable oils consist largely of compounds called triglycerides. When those triglycerides are broken apart through processes such as hydrolysis, saponification or the transesterification used in biodiesel production, glycerol is released as one of the products. It’s then refined and purified.

Despite being derived from vegetable oil, VG isn’t an oil. That distinction matters because inhaling oils is not the same thing as vaping glycerine-based e-liquid.

Where Is Vegetable Glycerine Used Outside Vaping?

Like PG, glycerine turns up in an enormous range of familiar products. Depending on the formulation, you may find it in:

• Moisturisers and skin creams
• Soaps and shower products
• Shampoo and hair-care products
• Toothpaste and mouth-care products
• Cough medicines and other pharmaceutical liquids
• Foods and confectionery
• Baked goods
• Food flavourings

Glycerine is particularly useful as a humectant because it attracts and retains moisture. It also has a naturally mild sweetness, which is one of the differences you can sometimes notice when comparing high-VG and high-PG e-liquids.

What Do PG and VG Do in Vape Juice?

PG and VG form the liquid base that carries the flavourings and, where applicable, nicotine in an e-liquid. When the coil heats that mixture, the liquid forms the aerosol that you inhale as vapour.

Changing the balance between the two carriers changes several practical properties of the finished e-liquid.

What Is High-PG E-Liquid Like?

An e-liquid containing more PG is noticeably thinner. That allows it to move through small liquid channels and soak into a coil quickly, which is useful in compact vaping devices.

High-PG E-Liquid Wicks Easily

A small MTL pod generally doesn’t consume much liquid at once and may have relatively small openings through which the e-liquid reaches the wick. A thinner liquid can move through those openings efficiently.

This is one reason 50/50 liquids have become so common with modern pod kits. Go much thicker and some small coils may struggle to keep themselves saturated, especially during frequent vaping.

PG Produces a Stronger Throat Hit

PG tends to give an e-liquid a more noticeable sensation in the throat than VG. That can be a benefit if you’ve recently switched from smoking and miss some of the physical sensation of a cigarette.

The overall throat hit also depends on your nicotine type, nicotine strength, flavouring and device, though, so PG isn’t the only factor involved.

PG Produces Less Vapour

Higher-PG liquids don’t generally produce the same dense clouds as high-VG vape juice. For an MTL vaper, that can actually be an advantage.

If you want a small, discreet puff rather than a weather system forming around your desk, there’s little reason to chase the highest possible VG percentage.

PG Is an Effective Flavour Carrier

PG has very little flavour of its own and works well as a solvent for flavour concentrates. In fact, many of the flavour concentrates used to make e-liquid are themselves supplied in PG.

That makes PG particularly useful when the aim is a clean, defined flavour rather than maximum cloud production.

What Is High-VG E-Liquid Like?

High-VG vape juice moves in the opposite direction. Vegetable glycerine is substantially more viscous than PG, so increasing the VG percentage creates a thicker e-liquid.

VG Produces More Vapour

The most obvious difference is cloud production. High-VG e-liquid produces denser, fuller vapour and is therefore a natural match for DTL devices designed to vaporise a relatively large amount of liquid with each puff.

This is why large bottles of low-nicotine shortfills commonly use a high-VG formulation.

VG Gives a Smoother Inhale

VG has a softer throat feel than PG. Combined with the lower nicotine strengths normally used in high-output equipment, this creates the smooth, deep inhale associated with DTL vaping.

VG Is Slightly Sweet

Vegetable glycerine has a subtle natural sweetness. It isn’t strong enough to make an unflavoured e-liquid taste like a pudding, but it can soften or round out the overall flavour.

This can work particularly well with fruit, dessert, sweet and drink-style e-liquids.

High-VG E-Liquid Needs the Right Coil

The downside of all that thickness is that VG takes longer to soak through a wick.

A high-powered coil designed for 70VG liquid will usually have large liquid inlet openings and plenty of wick exposure. Put that same thick juice into a tiny MTL pod that was designed around 50/50 e-liquid and the wick may not replenish itself quickly enough.

If that happens, you can experience weak flavour or, in the worst case, a dry hit.

What Does the PG/VG Ratio Mean?

The PG/VG ratio simply tells you how much of each carrier liquid is present in the e-liquid base.

For example:

• 50VG/50PG contains an equal balance of vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol.
• 60VG/40PG contains more VG but is still moderately thin.
• 70VG/30PG is a distinctly high-VG liquid.
• 80VG/20PG is thicker again and generally intended for hardware with very good liquid flow.

Some manufacturers put VG first and others describe the blend as a PG/VG ratio, so it’s always worth checking the order on the bottle rather than assuming.

Which PG VG Ratio Should You Choose?

The best ratio depends mainly on your device and inhaling style. There’s some flexibility with modern hardware, so think of the examples below as useful starting points rather than laws handed down by the vaping gods.

Is 50/50 Vape Juice Best for Pod Kits?

For many pod systems, yes. 50/50 is the safest general-purpose PG/VG ratio when you’re using a small MTL device and the manufacturer doesn’t specify otherwise.

It’s thin enough to wick efficiently through compact pods but still contains enough VG to give the vapour some body and smoothness.

That’s also why 50/50 is extremely common among nicotine salt e-liquids, which are primarily designed for lower-powered pod systems.

There are exceptions. Modern pods vary enormously, and some lower-resistance cartridges work perfectly well with 60VG or even 70VG liquid. Always check the recommendations for your particular pod or coil.

Is 70VG/30PG Best for Sub-Ohm Vaping?

70VG/30PG is one of the most common ratios for DTL and higher-output vaping because it offers a useful compromise.

There’s enough VG for thick vapour and a smooth inhale, but the liquid generally remains fluid enough for the large wicking ports found in modern sub-ohm coils.

Going to 80VG or a “max VG” blend can produce even thicker vapour, but the advantages become less important unless cloud production is a particular priority.

Can You Use 70VG Vape Juice in a Pod?

Sometimes. “Pod kit” now covers everything from tiny MTL devices to surprisingly powerful RDL systems, so there isn’t a universal answer.

A small MTL pod designed around a relatively high-resistance coil may struggle with 70VG liquid. A larger pod using a low-resistance RDL coil may handle it without difficulty.

Check the coil manufacturer’s recommendations. If your pod repeatedly gives you weak flavour or dry hits with a thick liquid, switching to 50/50 may solve the problem.

Can You Use 50/50 E-Liquid in a Sub-Ohm Vape?

Again, it depends on the hardware, but a very thin 50/50 liquid may not be ideal in a large high-output tank.

Coils designed for thick liquid can have very large inlet openings. An unusually thin liquid may move through those openings too easily, potentially contributing to flooding, gurgling or leakage.

The device’s recommended e-liquid range should always take priority over a general rule about PG and VG.

What Does “Max VG” Mean?

Max VG usually means that the manufacturer has used as much vegetable glycerine as practical in the recipe.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that absolutely every drop of liquid in the bottle is VG. Flavour concentrates and nicotine ingredients may themselves use PG as a carrier, so producing a flavoured e-liquid containing literally zero PG isn’t always practical.

For most vapers, max-VG juice is mainly relevant when very dense vapour or avoiding PG is a priority.

Can You Be Allergic or Sensitive to PG?

Yes, although true propylene glycol allergy is uncommon.

PG can produce both irritation and genuine allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible people, which can make the subject a little confusing. A reaction caused by irritation isn’t the same thing as an allergy.

DermNet describes propylene glycol contact allergy as relatively uncommon and estimates that it occurs in up to around 3.5 percent of people who are specifically being investigated for suspected contact dermatitis. That figure shouldn’t be interpreted as meaning that 3.5 percent of the general population is allergic to PG.

You May Have Encountered PG Before You Started Vaping

One interesting thing about PG sensitivity is just how difficult propylene glycol can be to avoid in everyday life.

It’s used in moisturisers, cosmetics, deodorants, medicines, some foods and many other products. Someone with a significant existing contact allergy may therefore have encountered PG before they ever try an e-liquid and may already know that certain PG-containing products cause problems.

That isn’t guaranteed, though. Reactions vary, and a person can’t diagnose a PG allergy simply because vaping makes their throat feel dry.

Dry Mouth or Throat Doesn’t Necessarily Mean a PG Allergy

PG is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts water. Some vapers find that higher-PG e-liquids leave their mouth or throat feeling a little dry, particularly when they first start vaping.

That sensation by itself isn’t evidence of an allergy. Drinking enough fluids and seeing whether the irritation settles may be all that’s needed.

If you repeatedly develop significant irritation, a rash, swelling, breathing problems or other concerning symptoms when using a product, stop using it and seek appropriate medical advice. Breathing difficulty or severe swelling requires urgent medical attention.

What Can You Vape If You’re Sensitive to PG?

If you know that PG causes you problems, a high-VG or max-VG e-liquid may reduce your exposure substantially.

You’ll need a device capable of handling the thicker liquid, and it’s worth checking the complete ingredient information because flavour concentrates or other components can still introduce a small amount of PG even when the base is primarily VG.

Does VG Cause Allergies?

Problems with glycerine are also possible, but VG is generally well tolerated and isn’t commonly discussed as an e-liquid allergen.

If a particular vape juice causes persistent symptoms, remember that PG and VG aren’t the only ingredients involved. Flavourings, nicotine and other components differ between products as well.

Changing several things at once can therefore make it difficult to identify the cause.

Is PG or VG Better for Flavour?

If all else is equal, a higher-PG liquid can give flavours a slightly cleaner and sharper presentation because PG is relatively neutral and is an excellent solvent for flavour concentrates.

High-VG liquid can feel softer and slightly sweeter.

In practice, though, the recipe matters much more than the carrier ratio alone. A well-formulated 70VG e-liquid can have extremely strong flavour, while a badly formulated 50/50 liquid won’t suddenly become delicious just because it contains more PG.

Is PG or VG Better for Clouds?

VG wins this one easily. If your main goal is dense vapour, choose a higher-VG liquid and a device designed to handle it.

That doesn’t mean everyone needs high VG. Small clouds are usually preferable when you’re using a discreet MTL setup, and producing more vapour also means using more e-liquid per puff.

Is PG or VG Better for Throat Hit?

PG produces the more noticeable throat sensation, while VG feels smoother.

For someone switching from cigarettes, a little extra throat hit may make an MTL vape feel more satisfying. For a DTL vaper taking a much larger inhale, the smoother character of VG is usually preferable.

Which PG/VG Ratio Is Best?

There isn’t a single best ratio because PG and VG are deliberately blended to suit different devices.

For a straightforward rule of thumb:

• Use 50/50 for most small MTL pod kits and standard nic salt e-liquids.
• Consider 60VG/40PG for RDL devices that can handle slightly thicker juice.
• Use around 70VG/30PG for many sub-ohm and DTL setups.
• Use 80VG or max VG only when your coil is designed for very thick e-liquid or you specifically want maximum vapour production.

If you’re choosing a new flavour, our Vape Juice collection includes e-liquids for a range of devices and vaping styles.

Above all, match the liquid to the coil. The difference between VG vs PG matters, but your vape’s wicking system ultimately decides how thick an e-liquid it can use comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are PG and VG?

PG is propylene glycol and VG is vegetable glycerine. They’re the two main carrier liquids used in vape juice. PG is thinner and provides more throat hit, while VG is thicker, smoother and produces denser vapour.

What does PG VG ratio mean?

The PG VG ratio describes the relative amounts of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine in an e-liquid. For example, 50/50 contains equal proportions, while 70VG/30PG contains more vegetable glycerine and is therefore thicker.

Is VG better than PG?

Not necessarily. VG is better if you want dense vapour and a smooth inhale, while PG is useful for strong flavour definition, throat hit and efficient wicking in small devices. Most vape juice uses both.

Is PG better than VG?

PG isn’t universally better either. Its lower viscosity makes it particularly useful in small MTL devices, but high-output DTL hardware generally works better with a greater proportion of VG.

What is a 50/50 PG VG ratio?

A 50/50 e-liquid contains equal amounts of PG and VG in its base. It offers a balance between easy wicking, flavour, throat hit, smoothness and vapour production and is widely used in pod kits.

What is a 70/30 PG VG ratio?

When vapers say “70/30,” they usually mean 70 percent VG and 30 percent PG, although you should always check the order printed on the bottle. A 70VG/30PG liquid is relatively thick and is commonly intended for RDL or DTL hardware.

Does more VG make bigger clouds?

Generally, yes. Increasing the proportion of vegetable glycerine gives e-liquid denser vapour production, provided the device has enough power and liquid flow to use it effectively.

Does more PG give more flavour?

PG is an excellent flavour carrier and has little flavour of its own, so higher-PG blends can give a clean, defined taste. However, the quality and concentration of the flavour recipe have a much bigger influence on flavour intensity than the PG percentage alone.

Can PG make your throat dry?

Some people notice dryness or irritation when using higher-PG e-liquid. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have a PG allergy. Propylene glycol attracts water, and ordinary irritation is different from an allergic reaction.

Is PG allergy common?

No. Genuine propylene glycol contact allergy is considered relatively uncommon. Because PG also appears in many cosmetics, personal-care products, medicines and some foods, people with a significant sensitivity may have encountered the ingredient before they begin vaping.

Can I vape if I’m allergic to PG?

High-VG or max-VG e-liquids can substantially reduce PG exposure, but some flavour concentrates and other ingredients may still use PG as a carrier. If you have a diagnosed allergy, check the full ingredients and seek appropriate medical advice rather than assuming a product is completely PG-free.

Is vegetable glycerine an oil?

No. Although vegetable glycerine is commonly derived from plant oils, purified glycerine is not itself an oil. It is glycerol, a water-soluble alcohol with very different physical properties from the fats and oils it originated from.

What PG/VG ratio should I use in a pod vape?

50/50 is a good general starting point for an MTL pod kit. More powerful RDL pods can often handle thicker 60VG or 70VG e-liquids, so check the recommendations for your particular cartridge or coil.

What PG/VG ratio is best for DTL vaping?

70VG/30PG is a common choice for DTL vaping because it provides dense vapour and a smooth inhale while remaining manageable for most modern sub-ohm coils. Some high-output devices can also use 80VG or max-VG liquids.