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DIY Vape Base Guide: what PG/VG means and mixing table
Master the foundation of any DIY mix: what propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin do, which ratio to use for your device and how to add nicotine shots to 100 ml of base without mistakes.
This guide focuses on neutral PG/VG bases and nicotine. If you add flavour concentrates, remember to calculate the flavour percentage and the final recipe volume too.
Back to Index1. What a DIY vape base is
A neutral base is the mix of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) used to build an e-liquid. In DIY mixing, the base defines liquid thickness, vapour production, throat hit and device compatibility.
- More PG: thinner liquid, clearer flavour and a more marked throat hit.
- More VG: thicker liquid, denser vapour and a smoother draw.
- With nicotine: you can add nicotine shots to reach a specific final strength.
- With flavour: if you add flavour concentrate, the calculation changes because the flavour also takes up volume in the final bottle.
2. Differences between PG and VG
To mix with confidence, you need to understand what each ingredient does. Both are used as the liquid base, but they behave very differently.
Propylene Glycol (PG)
PG is a thin, colourless liquid that carries flavour well and helps small coils wick more easily.
- Flavour: carries aromas more clearly.
- Throat hit: gives a more marked sensation, useful for adult ex-smokers.
- Fluidity: works better in small coils, pods and closed cartridges.
- Vapour: produces less visible vapour than VG.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
VG is thicker and slightly sweet. It is the ingredient that most affects vapour quantity and texture.
- Vapour: the higher the VG percentage, the denser and larger the vapour.
- Smoothness: reduces throat hit and makes the draw smoother.
- Viscosity: needs coils with good liquid intake.
- Use: better suited to sub-ohm devices, powerful atomizers and open draws.
3. Most common base ratios
There is no perfect base for everything. The right ratio depends on the device, coil, power and draw style.
| Ratio | Recommended use | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| 50 VG / 50 PG | Pods, cartridges, MTL coils and nicotine salts in suitable devices. | Balanced flavour, fluidity and throat hit. |
| 60 VG / 40 PG | Open pods, soft RDL and medium coils. | A bit more vapour without losing too much fluidity. |
| 70 VG / 30 PG | Sub-ohm vaping, lower-resistance coils and open draws. | More vapour, smoother draw and thicker liquid. |
| 80 VG or Full VG | Powerful devices, rebuildable atomizers and experienced users. | Very dense vapour, more demanding wicking and lower throat hit. |
If you use a base that is too thick in a small pod, the coil may not wick properly and burnt taste can appear. If you use a base that is too thin in a very open device, leaks or bubbling may appear.
4. Formula for adding nicotine shots to a base
When you add nicotine shots to a base, the final volume increases. That is why final strength is not calculated over 100 ml, but over the total volume after adding nicotine.
Formula
Final nicotine = total nicotine added / final volume
One 10 ml shot at 20 mg/ml provides 200 mg of nicotine.
Example
100 ml of base + 2 nicotine shots = 120 ml final volume.
2 shots provide 400 mg: 400 / 120 = 3.3 mg/ml.
PG/VG ratio
Nicotine shots also have PG/VG. If you want to keep a specific ratio, choose shots compatible with the base.
If you add many shots, the final ratio can change significantly.
5. Mixing table: nicotine shots per 100 ml of base
This table shows how many 10 ml nicotine shots at 20 mg/ml to add to 100 ml of neutral base to obtain different approximate final strengths.
| Initial base | 20 mg/ml nicotine shots | Final volume | Approx. final nicotine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ml | 1 shot | 110 ml | 1.8 mg/ml |
| 100 ml | 2 shots | 120 ml | 3.3 mg/ml |
| 100 ml | 3 shots | 130 ml | 4.6 mg/ml |
| 100 ml | 5 shots | 150 ml | 6.7 mg/ml |
| 100 ml | 10 shots | 200 ml | 10 mg/ml |
If you want to maintain the original PG/VG ratio, use nicotine shots with a similar ratio to the base. If you add flavour concentrates, recalculate the total volume.
6. Mixing and safety tips
Always shake
After adding nicotine shots, shake hard for at least 1 minute to distribute nicotine evenly throughout the base.
Label the bottle
Write down date, PG/VG ratio, nicotine shots added and approximate final strength. This prevents future confusion.
Protect nicotine
Store mixes in a cool, dry and dark place. Light, heat and oxygen speed up nicotine oxidation.
Keep out of reach
Nicotine bases, nicotine shots and DIY mixes must always be kept out of reach of children and pets.
Frequently asked questions about vape bases
Which base is best for starting vaping?
For pods, cartridges and a cigarette-like draw, a 50/50 base usually fits best. It has good fluidity, clear flavour and a more defined throat hit.
Can vegetable glycerin burn my coil?
VG does not burn the coil by itself, but a high-VG base can be too thick for small coils. If it does not wick fast enough, the cotton dries out and burnt taste appears.
Can I mix different bases?
Yes. PG and VG are miscible, so you can mix bases to adjust the final ratio. Measure volumes carefully if you want a specific result.
Can I add nicotine shots directly to a base?
Yes. Add the required amount, shake very well and label the bottle. Remember that adding nicotine shots increases final volume and reduces strength compared with a calculation based only on the initial 100 ml.
What happens if I add flavour concentrates too?
The flavour concentrate also takes up volume and usually adds PG. That is why you need to recalculate flavour, base and nicotine based on the complete final recipe volume.
Want to prepare your base with the right ratio?
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