The Ultimate Vape Experience: Why Your PG/VG Ratio Matters
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Oct 24th 2019
What Are PG and VG?
PG and VG are the two base liquids mixed with flavor and nicotine to make vape juice. PG stands for propylene glycol; VG stands for vegetable glycerin. Both are odorless on their own.
They behave very differently in the bottle and in your device. PG is thin and watery. VG is thick and a little sweet. Almost every e-liquid uses a blend of the two, and the exact PG/VG ratio changes the way the juice tastes, wicks, and produces vapor.
What PG/VG Ratio Should You Use?
There is no single right answer. It depends on the kind of experience you want and the device you're running. Here's how the two liquids pull in different directions.
Throat Hit
Some adult vapers like a sharp sensation at the back of the throat. Two things drive that: the nicotine level and the PG content. A higher-PG blend gives a more pronounced throat hit even without raising nicotine.
If a stronger throat hit is what you're after, lean PG. A common high-PG mix is 70/30 PG/VG, which also pushes flavor forward. Keep in mind a thin, high-PG juice doesn't suit every setup, so match it to a lower-wattage device.
Smoothness and Clouds
For a softer inhale, go the other way with a high-VG fluid. You get a smoother draw and bigger, denser vapor, with a fuller feel in the mouth.
The trade-off is flavor clarity. VG carries flavor a little less sharply than PG, so high-VG juice can taste slightly muted. You can push more vapor by running higher power, but stay inside your atomizer's voltage and wattage range. Going past it causes dry hits and can damage the coil.
Common Ratios at a Glance
| Ratio | Best for | Typical device |
|---|---|---|
| 70/30 PG/VG | Strong throat hit, punchy flavor | Low-wattage / MTL devices |
| 50/50 | Balanced flavor, vapor, and throat hit | Pod systems, low-wattage kits |
| 70/30 VG/PG | Bigger clouds, smoother inhale | Sub-ohm tanks |
| Max VG (80%+) | Maximum vapor, very mild draw | High-power sub-ohm setups |
How to Find the Right PG/VG
For DIY mixers, the sweet spot comes down to trial and error. It sounds intimidating, but it's straightforward and inexpensive once you start. A few things to weigh:
Steeping
High-VG juice takes longer to steep. That's most noticeable with layered, multi-flavor recipes. A single-flavor mix on a higher PG ratio often steeps fast, and sometimes it's ready right away.
Flavorings
Most flavor concentrates are suspended in PG. Factor that in when you're aiming for a high-VG mix: the more flavoring you add, the lower your actual VG percentage drops.
Thinning the Juice
A high-VG ratio can cause coil problems. The thick, gloopy liquid makes wicking harder, and dark, heavy flavorings can make it worse. Thinning slightly, or nudging the ratio, helps the juice feed the wick properly.
Dial In Your Mix
Finding the right PG/VG ratio can feel fiddly, especially when you're new to mixing. But it's worth the effort. Once you land on the ratio that matches your device and your taste, every bottle after that is dialed in.
So experiment, take notes on what you change, and adjust as you go. If you want a hand picking products or sorting out a DIY recipe, contact us today and we'll walk you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PG and VG in vape juice?
PG (propylene glycol) is thin, carries flavor sharply, and gives a stronger throat hit. VG (vegetable glycerin) is thick, slightly sweet, and produces bigger, smoother vapor. Most e-liquids blend the two, and the ratio sets the balance between flavor, throat hit, and cloud volume.
What PG/VG ratio is best for pod systems and nic salts?
A 50/50 blend is the standard for pods and other low-wattage devices. The viscosity is thin enough to feed the small coil openings without dry hits, yet thick enough to stay sealed in the pod. It also pairs well with the nicotine salts that pods are built for.
Which PG/VG ratio makes the biggest clouds?
High-VG blends produce the most vapor. A 70/30 VG/PG mix gives dense clouds with a smooth inhale, and Max VG (80% or more) pushes vapor even further. Both need a sub-ohm setup with enough power to handle the thicker liquid.
Why does my high-VG juice taste muted or cause dry hits?
VG carries flavor a little less sharply than PG, so flavor can read softer. Its thickness can also slow wicking, which leads to dry hits if the coil can't keep up. Try a slightly higher-PG ratio, run within your atomizer's wattage range, or give the wick more time to saturate between puffs.
Are PG and VG safe to consume?
Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are both common food additives and are recognized as safe by the FDA for use in food. That's a fact about their food use and is not a claim about vapor products. These are adult nicotine products and are not without risk.
Does the PG/VG ratio change steeping time?
Yes. High-VG juice generally takes longer to steep, especially with complex multi-flavor recipes. A single-flavor mix on a higher PG ratio often steeps quickly and is sometimes ready to vape right away.
These products are intended only for adults 21+. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is general product information and is not a smoking-cessation claim.