This is an interesting question every new vapor is confused with. That being said, to put it in one sentence PG stands for Propylene Glycol, while VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin, Both odourless and colourless organic liquids. I know that is not the complete answer you were looking for. Lets discuss this in very simple way.
PG or Propylene Glycol: The substance in which eliquid’s flavourings dissolves. A good example will be, flour in the cake without it, nothing would mix together.
PG is thinner than VG, it also gives throat hit and helps your vape wick absorb the liquid. Pg will not clog your coils because of its thinner consistency.
VG or Vegetable Glycerin: VG provides the mouth taste. It’s the eggs and the butter. Without it, you’d just have sugary bread. It wouldn’t be rich, or moist. It would be a perfectly fine thing to eat, but it wouldn’t be as luxurious as you would perhaps hoped.
VG makes the things sweeter and it affect the flavour of the e-liquid. VG is thicker than PG. They do Clog the coils quite quickly but they create dense vapor clouds.
The vast majority of e-liquids will use a combination of PG and VG. The ratios used will be declared within the ingredients list.
It depends person to person but here are some key point to consider before choosing any of them.
Best For Flavor is PG, If you want sharp (Throat Hit) flavour and you are not fussed about the amount of vapour produced, you would love a PG Liquid, As PG is totally tasteless, so it will not affect flavour. It keeps tobacco flavours toasty, mint flavours clean, and fruity flavours sharp. PG is a better flavour carrier than VG, and this means that the more PG, the more flavour is delivered.
Best For Clouds is VG, If you really want to enjoy the flavor and are ok for sacrificing a bit of flavour for the smoother sensation of the juice then look for High VG Flavours.
Read the guide about e liquid and how to choose the suitable vape liquid.
In summary Stick to PG for harsh throat hit and Choose VG if you lover sweet and creamy flavor with huge clouds.
VG (Vegetable Glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol) are the base liquids in e-liquids that carry nicotine and flavorings. VG is thick, sweet, and produces large clouds. PG is thin, flavorless, and carries flavor better with stronger throat hit. All e-liquids use a ratio combination of both.
VG (Vegetable Glycerin) provides: thick, dense vapor clouds, smooth throat hit, slightly sweet taste, thicker consistency, and moisturizing properties. High VG (70/30+) is preferred for sub-ohm vaping and cloud production but can be too thick for small coil wicking ports in MTL devices.
PG (Propylene Glycol) delivers: stronger throat hit mimicking cigarettes, better flavor carrying capacity, thinner consistency for easy wicking, faster absorption in cotton, and less visible vapor. Higher PG works better for MTL devices and those prioritizing throat hit over cloud production.
50/50 means equal parts VG and PG—the most versatile ratio. Benefits: works in all MTL devices, balanced flavor and vapor, appropriate viscosity for nic salts, good throat hit, suitable for beginners, and compatible with pod systems. Standard for disposables and nic salt e-liquids.
70/30 means 70% VG and 30% PG—the standard for sub-ohm vaping. Benefits: large cloud production, smooth inhale, good flavor, works with low resistance coils (0.15-0.8Ω), requires higher wattage (30W+), and best for DTL vaping with freebase nicotine (3-6mg).
Choose based on device and preference: MTL pod systems need 50/50 (or 60/40 maximum), sub-ohm tanks need 70/30 or higher, cloud chasers want Max VG (80/20+), throat hit seekers prefer higher PG (50/50 or 60/40), and flavor chasers benefit from balanced 50/50 or 60/40 ratios.
Wrong ratio causes problems: high VG in MTL devices causes dry hits (too thick to wick), low VG in sub-ohm causes leaking (too thin), high PG at high wattage causes harshness, and mismatched ratios waste e-liquid and damage coils. Always match ratio to device specifications.
PG sensitivity is more common than VG allergy. PG sensitivity symptoms: throat irritation, skin rashes, headaches, or respiratory issues. Solution: switch to high VG (70/30 or Max VG) e-liquids eliminating most PG. True VG allergy is extremely rare—consult doctor if experiencing persistent symptoms.
Max VG means maximum vegetable glycerin (typically 80-90% VG, minimal PG only from flavorings). Benefits: biggest clouds possible, smoothest throat hit, best for PG-sensitive vapers, requires powerful sub-ohm devices (0.15-0.3Ω, 60W+), and consumes e-liquid quickly. Cloud chasers' choice.
VG/PG ratio doesn't change nicotine concentration but affects delivery: PG delivers nicotine faster with stronger throat hit (better for high nicotine nic salts), VG delivers smoother (better for low nicotine sub-ohm). Match ratio to nicotine type: 50/50 for nic salts, 70/30+ for low freebase.
50/50 and 60/40 ratios provide best flavor intensity because PG is superior flavor carrier compared to VG. High VG (70/30+) slightly mutes flavor but still tastes good with quality e-liquids. Flavor chasers prioritizing taste over clouds should choose balanced ratios in MTL devices.
PG provides stronger throat hit similar to cigarettes, making higher PG ratios (50/50) better for ex-smokers wanting cigarette-like sensation. VG produces smooth, mild throat hit preferred by cloud chasers. Throat hit seekers should choose 50/50 nic salts; smoothness seekers choose high VG freebase.
Yes, mixing creates intermediate ratios: combining 50/50 with 70/30 creates approximately 60/40. However, ensure you're mixing same nicotine strength to maintain consistency. Most vapers buy appropriate ratio rather than mixing, but experimenting helps find perfect balance for your preference.
VG/PG ratio affects coils less than sweetener content. However, very high VG can cause dry hits in small coils (insufficient wicking), and very high PG in sub-ohm can flood coils. Matching ratio to device optimizes coil performance—sweeteners degrade coils faster than VG/PG ratio.
Most disposables use 50/50 VG/PG ratio providing: balanced performance in compact devices, good flavor delivery, appropriate viscosity for small coils, satisfying throat hit with 20mg nic salts, and reliable consistency. This ratio explains why disposables provide such satisfying experience despite simplicity.
Find quality e-liquids in all ratios at WizVape: 50/50 nic salts from Bar Juice 5000, ElfLiq, MaryLiq (MTL devices), 70/30 shortfills from Nasty Juice, Dinner Lady (sub-ohm), expert guidance on ratio selection, multi-buy deals (10 for £16 on nic salts), and fast UK delivery.
