You'll no doubt have seen the letters VG PG on your bottle of e-liquid and probably have some understanding of the VG PG meaning. In short, PG and VG are the two main ingredients in e-liquid. This guide delves a little deeper so you can understand exactly why these two letters are so important. Read on to have PG VG explained.
Reviewed by the Riot Labs editorial team.
Key takeaways:
➔ VG and PG are the two main e-liquid range ingredients, influencing flavour, vapour production, throat hit and overall performance
➔ High VG vape juice creates larger clouds, delivers a smoother inhale and complements sweeter flavour profiles
➔ High PG vape juice enhances flavour intensity, provides a stronger throat hit and produces more discreet vapour
➔ Matching your VG/PG ratio to your vape device is essential for the best flavour, vapour and coil performance
➔ 50/50 e-liquids offer a balanced experience and are an ideal starting point for most vapers - try our DIY e-liquid calculator to build your own
➔ Experiment with different ratios to help you find the best VG/PG ratio that matches your vaping style and personal preferences
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VG AND PG VAPE JUICE
Contents
What Is VG and PG?
VG (Vegetable Glycerine) and PG (Propylene Glycol) are the two main ingredients found in almost every vape juice - read our full guide. They form the base of your vape juice and directly impact how your vape feels, tastes and performs.
There really isn't a VG vs PG battle; both play an important role in your vape experience. Different types of vape juice have a different VG to PG ratio to create varying sensations. A high VG vape juice will feel distinct from a high PG vape juice. Understanding the VG PG ratio will help you discover the one you enjoy the most.
WHAT IS VG?
VG stands for vegetable glycerin. It's a thick liquid made from plant-based oils and the ingredient responsible for creating big, fluffy vapour clouds. It has a slightly sweet taste and produces a smoother inhale, making it particularly popular with sub-ohm vapers and vapers who like a softer throat hit.
WHAT IS PG?
PG stands for propylene glycol. It's much thinner in consistency and is actually used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products as well as vape juice. PG carries flavour really effectively - especially in flavour-forward ranges like Kuro's premium collection - and creates more of a throat hit. A lot of people who switch from smoking find high PG vape juice gives them a familiar and satisfying feeling.
Why Choose High VG Vape Juice?
If you're into cloud-chasing, high VG vape juice is your secret weapon. Unlike PG, which is thinner, VG is a thick liquid, similar to honey in its consistency. The density means it takes a bit more heat to get it going, but the result is worth it. When VG vaporises, it creates much larger particles, the science says around 44 to 97 nanometers. Those bigger particles scatter light better, which is exactly how you get those thick, impressive clouds.
The smoother vapour also makes it much gentler on the throat for anyone who avoids a harsh hit, and the slight sweetness of VG helps round out flavours, giving fruit and dessert blends a richer overall profile.
Choose high VG vape juice for cloud chasing, a smooth sensation and to round out sweeter tastes.
Why Choose High PG Vape Juice?
For flavour fanatics, high PG vape juice is your friend. Unlike the thicker VG, PG is a much thinner liquid that's excellent at carrying flavour and nicotine. It delivers a sharp, consistent experience and the signature 'throat hit' many vapers love so much. PG helps to mimic the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette, making it a favourite for people using vaping as an alternative to smoking. Vapour clouds are more discreet with a high PG vape liquid as well, so you can vape without impacting others.
Choose high PG vape juice for flavour intensity, a sharp throat hit and a discreet vaping experience.
VG vs PG Health Effects
If you're worried about the safety of your vape ingredients, it might put your mind at rest to know that many everyday products contain VG and PG, meaning that you probably already use them without even knowing it. You'll find PG in marshmallows, deodorant and throat lozenges, while VG is often used as a vegan alternative to sweeten baked goods, and in toothpaste and cough syrups.
Each vaper might tolerate VG and PG in a different way. Here are the VG vs PG health effects some vapers report depending on their preferences:
✓ PG - More likely to cause mild irritation in some users with common effects including a dry mouth, dry throat or slight throat discomfort. This happens more often with high PG e-liquids. Reducing the PG volume can make vaping more comfortable if you experience any of this discomfort
✓ VG - Although often considered the gentler option, thanks to its smoother vapour and softer throat hit, VG can still contribute to dehydration.
The lesson here is that it's always important to stay hydrated no matter what your VG to PG ratio is.
The Right Vape Kits for PG and VG Vape Juice
Getting your VG vs PG volumes right isn't only about personal preference. Your vape device also plays a major role.
Our vape kit range is designed to work with different types of e-liquid. A ratio that works brilliantly in one device might let you down when used in another. This is because certain vape parts, mainly the coil and airflow system, weren't designed for that type of liquid.
As a rule of thumb, here are the types of kits we'd advise according to your VG to PG ratio:
✓ 50VG/50PG - 50/50 blends like Riot's Riot X e-liquids are best suited to pod kits, starter kits and most mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices. The balanced ratio delivers a good mix of flavour, vapour production and throat hit, making it popular for everyday vaping
✓ 60VG/40PG - A versatile choice that works well in more powerful pod systems and MTL devices with slightly lower-resistance coils. High vg vape juice gives you a little more vapour and full flavour profiles
✓ 70VG/30PG - Ideal for sub-ohm vape kits and direct-to-lung (DTL) devices. The higher VG content creates bigger clouds and a smoother inhale, while still providing plenty of flavour. Our shortfills fit the bill perfectly. Kuro's 100ml shortfills are built at 70VG/30PG specifically because that ratio delivers Japanese-inspired flavour with the smooth vapour density sub-ohm vapers expect. Curious how 10ml salts stack up against 100ml shortfills? Read our 10ml vs shortfill comparison.
✓ 80VG/20PG - Best used with high-powered sub-ohm tanks and advanced vape mods. This thicker e-liquid is designed for maximum cloud production and performs best with coils built to handle high-VG blends
✓ 60PG/40VG - Most suitable for low-powered pod kits, vape pens and traditional MTL devices, collections like our BAR EDTN wick quickly, deliver strong flavour and provide a more noticeable throat hit.
RIOT RECOMMENDS
Finding Your Favourite PG to VG Ratio
Finding your ideal VG PG ratio often comes down to a little bit of experimentation.
➔ A 50/50 blend like Riot's, can be the perfect starting point as it offers a balanced mix of flavour, vapour production and throat hit. It's also compatible with most pod systems and starter kits
➔ As you get a bit more used to different e-liquids and flavours, you might discover that you prefer one side of the spectrum over the other
➔ If flavour intensity and a satisfying throat hit are your priorities, you're likely to gravitate towards high PG vape juice. Most people transitioning from smoking cigarettes also find themselves drawn to high PG vape juice because it feels more similar to smoking
➔ Vapers who like producing larger clouds and enjoying a smoother inhale, will probably prefer a high VG vape juice. Even more so if you're using a sub-ohm kit and vaping lower nicotine strengths.
Some surprising factors can even make a difference. For example, during colder months, VG becomes thicker, which can affect how quickly it wicks (soaks up) into your coil. Some vapers find that slightly increasing the PG content in winter gives them the same kind of performance they're used to.
Ultimately, there's no right or wrong when it comes to VG vs PG. It's all about what works for your device, suits your vaping style and gives you the experience you're looking for. Once you've mastered the VG and PG ratio basics, you'll soon find your sweet spot, and might even start your own DIY blends to really tailor your vape.
Can you get PG-free vape juice?
Pure 100% VG e-liquids are rare because flavour carriers typically contain trace PG; high-VG shortfills like Kuro (70/30) and Punx are the practical alternatives for people with PG sensitivity.
PG VG RATIOS THE RIOT WAY
Getting your head around VG and PG is step one, but the real magic happens when you find a blend that hits every spot. At Riot, we craft every collection in our UK lab to offer the fullest flavours and satisfying VG/PG mixes. Whether you're after balanced 50/50 nic salts for your pod kit, a high-VG shortfill for epic, cloud-chasing sessions, or a peek at the premium 10ml category, we've got your back. When your VG/PG ratio, device and flavour profile finally click into place, you'll never look back.
FAQ: VG & PG E-Liquid Guide
What is a VG to PG ratio?
A VG to PG ratio tells you the proportion of Vegetable Glycerine to Propylene Glycol in an e-liquid. It's usually written as two numbers that add up to 100, for example 50/50, 70/30 or 80/20 (VG first, PG second).
The ratio determines how your vape feels: higher VG means bigger clouds and a smoother inhale, higher PG means stronger flavour and a sharper throat hit.
What is a good VG to PG ratio for beginners?
50/50 is the go-to starting point, it's a balanced mix of flavour, vapour and throat hit, and it works with most pod kits and starter kits. Once you've found your feet, 60/40 is a natural next step if you want a bit more cloud and fuller flavour.
Which is better, high VG or high PG?
It depends what you're chasing.
High VG = big, smooth clouds and rounder, sweeter flavour. Best in sub-ohm and DTL kits.
High PG = sharp throat hit and punchy flavour carry. Best in pod kits and MTL devices.
Cloud chasers go VG. Flavour purists and ex-smokers often lean PG. Can't decide? 50/50 gives you a proper taste of both.
Are VG and PG safe?
Yes, you're probably already using both without realising it. PG shows up in everyday things like marshmallows, deodorant and throat lozenges, while VG is a common vegan sweetener in baked goods, toothpaste and cough syrups.
Everyone's tolerance is a little different though. Some vapers find high PG can cause mild dryness in the mouth or throat, easily fixed by dropping the PG content. VG is gentler on the throat but can still contribute to dehydration.
The takeaway? Stay hydrated, whatever ratio you're vaping.
Can you get PG-free vape juice?
Pure 100% VG e-liquids exist but are rare, most flavour concentrates rely on a small amount of PG to carry the flavour, so truly PG-free juice is uncommon industry-wide.
If you're sensitive to PG, the practical move is a high-VG shortfill. Our lowest-PG blends are Kuro and Punx at 70/30, 30% PG rather than 50% or higher, which is enough of a shift for most PG-sensitive vapers.
How do I know if my vape kit takes high VG or high PG?
The easiest clue is your coil resistance and device type:
➔ Pod kits, starter kits and MTL devices are built for thinner juice, so they handle 50/50 or 60PG/40VG best.
➔ Sub-ohm tanks and DTL devices have larger coils and airflow, so they're designed for thicker, high VG juice (70/30 or 80/20).
If you're not sure, check your device or coil packaging, it'll usually list a recommended resistance or VG range. When in doubt, start at 50/50 and adjust from there once you know how your kit performs.
