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Shortfill Guide: how to prepare 50 ml and 100 ml Shortfills with nic shots
Learn how to prepare your 50 ml and 100 ml Shortfills with nic shots, real doses, easy tables, recommended resting time and tips to avoid adding too much nicotine.
A Shortfill is a nicotine-free e-liquid in a bottle with free space for nic shots. Nicotine is an addictive substance: handle it carefully and keep bottles away from children and pets.
Back to Index1. What a Shortfill is
A Shortfill is a ready-made e-liquid, usually nicotine-free, supplied in a bottle larger than the amount of liquid it contains. The free space allows you to add one or more nic shots to adjust the final nicotine strength.
50 ml in a 60 ml bottle
The most common format. It usually leaves space for 1 x 10 ml nic shot, resulting in 60 ml final liquid.
100 ml in a 120 ml bottle
It leaves space for 2 x 10 ml nic shots, resulting in 120 ml final liquid.
The key point
The correct calculation is always based on final volume, not only on the initial liquid.
2. How to prepare a Shortfill step by step
Step 1: open the bottle and remove the nozzle
Open the Shortfill, remove the cap and take out the nozzle or dropper tip. Do this on a clean, stable surface to avoid spills.
Step 2: add the nic shot
Add the amount of nic shot shown in the table. If you need 4.5 ml, 5 ml or 9 ml, use a clean syringe or measuring tool to adjust the dose.
Step 3: top up with 0 mg base if needed
If you want an exact strength and there is space left, top up with 0 mg base. The base can slightly change the final PG/VG ratio.
Step 4: shake hard
Close the bottle tightly and shake for at least 60 seconds. Rest for 10 minutes and shake again so the mix becomes even.
Step 5: recommended resting time
A Shortfill does not need the long steeping time of a flavour concentrate, because the liquid is already prepared. Still, 30-60 minutes of rest helps the nicotine integrate. Tobacco, dessert and creamy profiles may become rounder after 24 hours.
3. 50 ml Shortfill table in a 60 ml bottle
Calculated with 20 mg/ml nic shots and a final volume of 60 ml.
| Target | 20 mg/ml nic shot | 0 mg base | Real result | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/ml | 0 ml | 10 ml | 60 ml at 0 mg/ml | Only if you want to fill the bottle without nicotine. |
| Exact 1.5 mg/ml | 4.5 ml | 5.5 ml | 60 ml at 1.5 mg/ml | Requires accurate measuring. |
| Easy low option | 5 ml | 5 ml | 60 ml at 1.67 mg/ml | Easier: half a nic shot. |
| Exact 3 mg/ml | 9 ml | 1 ml | 60 ml at 3 mg/ml | Requires measuring 9 ml. |
| Usual practical option | 10 ml | 0 ml | 60 ml at 3.33 mg/ml | Most common preparation: 1 full nic shot. |
| Exact 6 mg/ml | 18 ml | 0 ml | 60 ml at 6 mg/ml | You need to remove 8 ml of Shortfill before adding nicotine. Not ideal if you want to keep the original flavour balance. |
4. 100 ml Shortfill table in a 120 ml bottle
Calculated with 20 mg/ml nic shots and a final volume of 120 ml.
| Target | 20 mg/ml nic shot | 0 mg base | Real result | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/ml | 0 ml | 20 ml | 120 ml at 0 mg/ml | Only if you want to fill the bottle without nicotine. |
| Exact 1.5 mg/ml | 9 ml | 11 ml | 120 ml at 1.5 mg/ml | Requires accurate measuring. |
| Easy low option | 10 ml | 10 ml | 120 ml at 1.67 mg/ml | Easier: 1 full nic shot. |
| Exact 3 mg/ml | 18 ml | 2 ml | 120 ml at 3 mg/ml | Requires measuring 18 ml. |
| Usual practical option | 20 ml | 0 ml | 120 ml at 3.33 mg/ml | Most common preparation: 2 full nic shots. |
| Exact 6 mg/ml | 36 ml | 0 ml | 120 ml at 6 mg/ml | You need to remove 16 ml of Shortfill before adding nicotine. Not ideal if you want to keep the original flavour balance. |
5. Exact dose vs practical dose
Most users prepare Shortfills with full bottles because it is easier. That is why the usual practical dose is not exactly 3 mg/ml, but 3.33 mg/ml.
Formula
Final nicotine = total nicotine mg / final volume
A 10 ml nic shot at 20 mg/ml provides 200 mg total.
50 ml example
50 ml + 1 nic shot = 60 ml final.
200 mg / 60 ml = 3.33 mg/ml.
100 ml example
100 ml + 2 nic shots = 120 ml final.
400 mg / 120 ml = 3.33 mg/ml.
Why 6 mg/ml is not ideal in a Shortfill bottle
To reach 6 mg/ml you need more nic shot than the bottle usually leaves space for. You can do it by removing part of the original liquid, but flavour intensity will change. If you regularly need 6 mg/ml, formats designed for that strength or pre-nicotined 10 ml e-liquids are usually a better option.
6. What you need to prepare your Shortfill
A Shortfill and one or more nic shots are usually enough. 0 mg base is only needed if you want to adjust an exact dose or fill the bottle without nicotine.
- Shortfill
Ready-made nicotine-free e-liquid.
- Nic shots
10 ml bottles with nicotine to adjust the mix.
- 0 mg base
Optional, useful for filling or adjusting exact strengths.
Frequently asked questions about Shortfills
What is the difference between Shortfill, Longfill and flavour concentrate?
A Shortfill is a ready-made e-liquid that only needs nicotine if you want it. A Longfill contains flavour concentrate in a large bottle and needs base, nicotine and resting time. A flavour concentrate is mixed manually with base and nicotine at a specific percentage.
Does one nic shot in 50 ml give exactly 3 mg/ml?
Not exactly. One 10 ml nic shot at 20 mg/ml added to 50 ml leaves 60 ml final at 3.33 mg/ml. For exactly 3 mg/ml, you need 9 ml of nic shot and 1 ml of 0 mg base.
Can I prepare a Shortfill at 6 mg/ml?
Yes, but it is not usually the best option in the original bottle. To reach 6 mg/ml you need a lot of nic shot, so you normally have to remove part of the original liquid or use a larger bottle. This can change the final flavour.
Can I use nicotine salt shots in a Shortfill?
You can use them if the liquid and device are suitable for that type of nicotine. Nicotine salts are better suited to low-power devices and moderate draws; they are not suitable for sub-ohm or high-power devices.
Do I need to steep a Shortfill after adding nicotine?
It does not need long steeping like a flavour concentrate, because the liquid is already prepared. Still, it is best to shake well and let it rest for 30-60 minutes. Tobacco and dessert profiles may become rounder after 24 hours.
Ready to prepare your Shortfill?
