PG vs VG: The Difference Between the Two Ingredients in Every E-Liquid
PG vs VG explained: throat hit, vapour, thickness, common ratios from 50/50 to max VG, and which suits pods, AIOs and sub-ohm tanks.
The short version
- PG (propylene glycol) is thinner and gives a stronger throat hit.
- VG (vegetable glycerin) is thicker, smoother and makes more vapour.
- Small pods usually suit 50/50 liquids; big sub-ohm tanks suit 70% VG or more.
- Most problems with “the wrong liquid” (dry hits, leaking, gurgling) come down to the ratio not matching the coil.
Almost every e-liquid is built on two base ingredients: propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Flavourings and, usually, nicotine are added on top. The ratio is printed on the bottle (50/50, 70VG/30PG and so on), and it changes how a liquid feels, how much vapour it makes, and which devices it works well in. Get it right and your device just works. Get it wrong and you’ll be fighting dry hits or leaks.
What are PG and VG?
Propylene glycol is a thin, colourless, nearly odourless liquid. Vegetable glycerin is a thick, clear, slightly sweet liquid usually made from plant oils. Both are widely used ingredients in food, cosmetics and other consumer products, and in e-liquid they do two jobs: carry the flavour and nicotine, and turn into vapour when heated. The difference between them is mostly physical, in thickness and how they feel, and that’s what matters for your device.
The difference between PG and VG
| PG | VG | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Thin, runny | Thick, syrupy |
| Throat hit | Stronger | Smoother |
| Vapour | Less, thinner | More, denser |
| Flavour | Carries flavour sharply | Slightly sweet, rounder |
| Wicking | Soaks cotton quickly | Wicks more slowly |
| Coil residue | Less | More over time (thicker, plus often sweeter recipes) |
| Best in | Pods, MTL devices | Sub-ohm tanks, DTL |
Common ratios, and what they’re for
| Ratio (VG/PG) | Feel | Typical devices |
|---|---|---|
| 30/70 (high PG) | Strong throat hit, light vapour | Older or very tight MTL devices |
| 50/50 | Balanced; noticeable throat hit | Most pods; nicotine salts are commonly 50/50 |
| 60/40 | A little smoother and cloudier | Looser pods, MTL tanks, RDL |
| 70/30 | Smooth, plenty of vapour | Sub-ohm tanks, pod mods at 0.4Ω and below |
| 80/20 or “max VG” | Very smooth, dense vapour | High-power sub-ohm and rebuildables |
Which ratio for which device?
Small pods and MTL devices, like the XROS 6 or XLIM PRO 3, have small coils with small wicking holes. Thick, high-VG liquid struggles to soak through fast enough, which causes dry or burnt hits. A 50/50 liquid is the safe default.
Sub-ohm tanks and DTL setups run more power through bigger coils. Thin, high-PG liquid can flood them and leak, so 70% VG or higher is usual.
Boro and rebuildable bridges depend on how you wick them, but most users run 60–70% VG. See what is a boro mod? and what is an AIO vape?
Not sure which style your device is? See MTL vs DTL (and RDL). Resistance matters too: lower resistance generally pairs with higher VG. More in coil resistance explained.
How the ratio affects your vape
Throat hit
PG gives more of the “catch” at the back of the throat that many ex-smokers look for. VG is smoother. Nicotine strength and device power affect throat hit as much as the ratio. See nicotine salt vs freebase and nicotine strength explained.
Vapour
VG makes denser, more visible vapour, which is why cloud-focused liquids are high-VG. In a small pod, though, the device and coil limit vapour far more than the liquid does.
Flavour
PG is often said to carry flavour more sharply. VG adds a slight sweetness and softens flavours. Neither is “better”; recipes are usually designed for a specific ratio.
Coil life
Thicker, high-VG liquids, especially sweet ones, tend to gunk coils faster. If coils are dying early in a small pod, a 50/50 liquid can help.
Temperature changes things
VG gets noticeably thicker when it’s cold and thinner when it’s warm. In winter, a high-VG liquid that wicks fine indoors can cause dry hits outside. In summer, or in a hot car, liquids thin out and are more likely to leak. Keeping the device in an inside pocket helps in both cases.
Reading the label
- Ratios are usually written VG first (“70/30” = 70% VG, 30% PG), but not always, so check the wording.
- “Max VG” means as much VG as the recipe allows. Flavourings and nicotine are often PG-based, so 100% VG is rare.
- If no ratio is printed, the product page or brand website usually lists it. Nicotine salts without a stated ratio are most often 50/50.
Mixing two liquids
Mixing bottles averages the ratios. Equal amounts of a 70/30 and a 50/50 give roughly 60/40, so a mix can end up too thick for a small pod.
Frequently asked questions
Does VG make more vapour than PG?
Yes. VG produces denser, more visible vapour, which is why cloud-focused liquids are high-VG.
Which gives a stronger throat hit?
PG. Nicotine strength and device power matter too.
What does 50/50 mean?
Equal parts PG and VG. It’s the most versatile ratio, and a good starting point for most pods.
Can the wrong ratio cause leaking?
Often, yes. Thin, high-PG liquid in an airy, high-power tank is a common cause of leaks.
Can the wrong ratio cause a burnt taste?
Yes. Thick, high-VG liquid in a small pod coil can’t wick fast enough, especially with quick, repeated puffs. Priming properly helps. See how to prime a coil.
What ratio is best for nicotine salts?
Most nicotine-salt liquids are 50/50 because they’re made for small pods.
Some people say PG irritates them. What can they do?
Some vapers prefer higher-VG liquids because they find PG harsh. That usually means pairing them with a device and coil designed for thicker liquid. If you have any health concerns, speak to a medical professional.
This is general product information, not health advice.
