VG vs PG: What's Actually in Your Vape?

Every e-liquid you've ever vaped has two things in common: VG and PG. They make up the bulk of what's in the bottle, and they have a direct impact on how your vape feels, tastes and performs. Yet most vapers give them almost no thought. 

If you've ever wondered why one liquid feels harsh and another feels smooth, or why some e-liquids produce thick clouds while others barely produce a wisp, VG and PG are the answer. Understanding how they work gives you the knowledge to choose e-liquids that actually suit the way you vape. 

What Do VG and PG Stand For?

VG stands for Vegetable Glycerine. PG stands for Propylene Glycol. Both are the carrier liquids in e-liquid, holding the flavour and nicotine together and turning into vapour when heated. 

They might sound like obscure lab chemicals, but both substances are widely used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. You'll find them in things like salad dressing, moisturisers, toothpaste and certain medicines. Food safety regulators in the UK, EU and US have all deemed them safe for consumption. 

Vegetable Glycerine (VG): The Cloud Maker

VG is a thick, slightly sweet liquid derived from plant oils, usually palm, soy or coconut. It's what gives an e-liquid its body and produces the dense vapour clouds you see in sub-ohm vaping. 

What VG does in your vape: 

• Produces large, thick vapour clouds 
• Delivers a smooth, gentle throat hit 
• Adds a mild natural sweetness to the overall flavour 
• Works best in high-powered, low-resistance devices 

Because VG is so thick, it takes longer to saturate a coil. Using a high-VG liquid in the wrong device, say a small pod kit designed for 50/50 e-liquids, can lead to poor wicking, dry hits or gunked-up coils. 

The sweet note that VG carries is particularly well-suited to dessert, fruit and beverage flavours. It enhances sweetness without added sucralose, which also means it's generally kinder to your coils. 

Propylene Glycol (PG): The Throat Hit Carrier

PG is a colourless, odourless synthetic liquid that's considerably thinner than VG. It's been used in medical inhalers, food products and cosmetics for decades, and it's the ingredient that delivers the throat hit most ex-smokers are looking for when they first switch to vaping. 

What PG does in your vape: 

• Delivers a sharper, more pronounced throat hit 
• Carries flavour more effectively than VG 
• Produces less visible vapour 
• Works well in small, low-powered devices and pod kits 

PG's thinner consistency means it wicks quickly and easily, making it ideal for devices with smaller coils and tighter airflow. It's also why most nicotine salt e-liquids use a balanced PG base, because nic salts are designed for discreet, cigarette-like vaping rather than cloud production. 

For vapers who are still chasing that familiar cigarette sensation, a higher PG ratio makes the most sense. The throat hit is closer to what you'd feel from a tobacco cigarette, and the flavour comes through sharper and more defined. 

PG Sensitivity: What to Know

 A small number of vapers find that PG causes irritation. Symptoms can include a dry mouth, scratchy throat or, in rarer cases, a mild allergic reaction. If you notice these consistently, switching to a higher-VG or 100% VG e-liquid usually resolves it. 

The dry mouth and sore throat that many new vapers experience in the first couple of weeks is very common and typically linked to PG. Staying well hydrated helps considerably, and symptoms usually ease as your body adjusts.

How Do PG/VG Ratios Work?

E-liquids are sold with their PG/VG ratio printed on the label. The most common ratios are: 

• 50/50: Equal parts PG and VG. Works with most devices. A good all-round starting point. 
• 70VG/30PG: More vapour, smoother hit. Best for sub-ohm tanks and higher-wattage devices. 
• 80VG/20PG: Dense clouds, very smooth. Needs a powerful device with efficient wicking. 
• 100VG: Maximum cloud production. Suitable for experienced vapers using specific hardware. 

High PG (60PG+): Stronger throat hit, more flavour intensity. Ideal for small pod kits and nic salts. 

The ratio you need depends on two things: the device you're using and the kind of vaping experience you want. 

Which Ratio Suits Your Device? 

• Pod kits and starter devices - These are designed for higher-resistance coils and low wattage. They perform best with 50/50 or high-PG liquids. Trying to run a thick, high-VG liquid through a pod kit will leave you with weak flavour, poor vapour and potential coil damage.
  
• Sub-ohm tanks and mesh coils - These devices run at higher wattages and use coils under one ohm. They're built to handle thicker liquids and produce the most vapour with 70VG blends or above. A high-PG liquid in a sub-ohm tank can actually burn through flavour too quickly and feel unpleasantly harsh.
  
• Rebuildable atomisers - Experienced vapers who build their own coils tend to prefer very high-VG liquids, often 80VG or above. The larger wicking channels accommodate the thickness without issue. 

Which Ratio Suits Your Vaping Style? 

• Switching from smoking - Go with a 50/50 or higher-PG ratio first. The throat hit will feel familiar, and the discreet vapour production means it doesn't feel worlds apart from a cigarette. Many vapers gradually shift toward higher VG as they get used to vaping.
  
• Chasing flavour - PG carries flavour better, so a higher-PG blend will give you sharper, more defined taste. That said, a well-balanced 50/50 liquid offers good flavour without sacrificing smoothness.
  
• Cloud chasing - You want high VG. A 70VG or 80VG blend paired with a capable sub-ohm device is where cloud production really takes off. Bear in mind that flavour intensity may drop slightly as VG increases.
  
• Discreet vaping - A higher-PG liquid produces far less visible vapour. If you'd rather not draw attention when vaping in public, a 50/50 or high-PG option is the better choice. 

Are VG and PG Safe?

Both VG and PG are widely considered safe for consumption and are used in everyday products across food, medicine and cosmetics. Food and medicines regulators in the UK, EU and US have approved both substances. 

Vaping is a relatively recent activity, so long-term inhalation studies are still limited. However, the NHS and Public Health England have both concluded that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking. Current evidence consistently supports the view that switching to vaping is a meaningful step towards better health for existing smokers. 

As with any vaping product, the sensible approach is to use a well-made e-liquid from a reputable source, keep your device clean and maintained, and stay at wattages appropriate for your hardware. 

Quick Comparison: VG vs PG Vape Juice 

Vegetable Glycerine (VG) 

• Origin: Plant-based (palm, soy, coconut oils) 
• Consistency: Thick and viscous 
• Throat hit: Smooth and gentle 
• Vapour production: High 
• Flavour carry: Moderate, adds natural sweetness 
• Best device: Sub-ohm, high-wattage, low-resistance 
• Best for: Cloud chasers, experienced vapers

Propylene Glycol (PG) 

• Origin: Synthetic (petroleum by-product) 
• Consistency: Thin, water-like 
• Throat hit: Sharp and pronounced 
• Vapour production: Low 
• Flavour carry: Excellent 
• Best device: Pod kits, starter vapes, higher-resistance coils 
• Best for: New vapers, ex-smokers, discreet vaping 

The Bottom Line

VG and PG aren't just filler. They shape the entire character of an e-liquid, from how it feels in your throat to how big your clouds are to how sharp your flavour comes through. 

If you're new to vaping, start with a 50/50 liquid and see how it feels. From there you can adjust the ratio based on what you want more of, whether that's a harder throat hit, smoother draws or denser clouds. 

And if you're ever unsure which ratio works with your device, our team at Tidal Vape is always happy to point you in the right direction.