What Are PG and VG?
Vapers throw around numbers like 50/50, 30/70 and 20/80 as if everyone knows what they mean. They are PG/VG ratios, and apart from nicotine strength, they tell you more about how a vape juice will feel than anything else on the label.
This guide explains what PG and VG are, what each one does in your vape, and how to match a ratio to your device and the way you like to vape.
Short version: PG (propylene glycol) is thin, carries flavor well and gives a stronger throat hit. VG (vegetable glycerin) is thick, slightly sweet and makes more vapor. Higher-PG blends suit pod systems and mouth-to-lung tanks; higher-VG blends suit sub-ohm tanks and RDAs.
What PG and VG are
PG and VG are the base liquids in vape juice. They carry the flavoring and nicotine, and together they make up most of what is in the bottle. If vape juice were coffee, PG and VG would be the water, and the flavor and nicotine would be the grounds.
Propylene glycol (PG)
PG is a thin, colorless, nearly odorless liquid made by reacting propylene oxide with water. It is widely used in foods, cosmetics and medicines. In vape juice, PG:
- Carries flavor well, so high-PG juices often taste sharper and brighter
- Gives a stronger throat hit, the catch at the back of the throat that many vapers like
- Wicks quickly because it is thin
A common mix-up: propylene glycol is not ethylene glycol, the toxic chemical in most antifreeze. They are different compounds.
Vegetable glycerin (VG)
VG, sometimes spelled glycerine, is a thick, clear, slightly sweet liquid usually made from plant oils. Chemically it is a simple polyol, a type of sugar alcohol, and it shows up in foods, toothpaste, soaps and cosmetics. In vape juice, VG:
- Produces thicker, denser vapor
- Gives a smoother, softer throat hit
- Adds a touch of sweetness and can slightly mute flavor
- Wicks more slowly because it is thick
Despite the name, vegetable glycerin is not vegetable oil, and oils of any kind do not belong in a vape.
One note on those everyday uses: eating an ingredient or putting it on your skin is not the same as heating and inhaling it, so treat that list as background, not as a verdict on vaping.
How the ratio changes your vape
Ratios are usually written PG first, so 30/70 means 30% PG and 70% VG. Many high-VG juices flip the order and say 70VG/30PG, so check which number is which.
| PG/VG | Vapor | Throat hit | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80/20 | Very light | Strong | Older clearomizers |
| 70/30 | Light | Medium-strong | Mouth-to-lung tanks |
| 60/40 | Moderate | Medium | Mouth-to-lung tanks and pods |
| 50/50 | Balanced | Medium-soft | Pod systems, nic salts and starter kits |
| 40/60 | Good | Soft | Sub-ohm tanks, for more throat hit |
| 30/70 | Very good | Light | Sub-ohm tanks and RTAs |
| 20/80 | Heaviest | Very light | RDAs and high-wattage setups |
Nicotine strength changes throat hit too. A high-PG juice at a low strength can feel softer than a high-VG juice at a high strength, so read the two together. Our guide to nicotine strength covers that side of the label.
Picking a ratio for your device
Pod systems, starter kits and clearomizers
Small coils and thin wicks work best with thinner liquid, so most pod systems and mouth-to-lung tanks do well with 50/50 or higher-PG blends. Thick, high-VG juice can wick too slowly in these devices, which leads to dry hits and burnt cotton. Most nic salt liquids are made as 50/50 blends, which suits the pod systems they are designed for.
Sub-ohm tanks and RTAs
As devices got more powerful, e-liquid makers shifted toward higher-VG blends. At higher wattage, high-PG juice can feel harsh, while VG stays smooth and makes more vapor. Many sub-ohm vapers settle on 30/70 as a balance of flavor, smoothness and vapor. If you want a little more throat hit, try 40/60. Some vapers find that 20/80 slightly mutes flavor in a tank. For the bigger picture, read our guide to sub-ohm vaping.
Rebuildable dripping atomizers (RDAs)
RDAs let you build around the juice, which makes them the most flexible option. Many drippers use 20/80 or even higher VG for dense vapor on a warm build. If you want more flavor, 30/70 is a good middle ground, and 40/60 adds throat hit. Flavor tends to come through strongly on a dripper, so a juice that tastes balanced in a tank can taste intense on an RDA.
Finding your own ratio
There is no single right answer, and plenty of vapers keep different ratios for different devices. A simple way to dial it in:
- Start with what your device’s manual recommends.
- If the vape feels harsh, move toward more VG. If it tastes flat or you want more throat hit, move toward more PG.
- If you get dry hits, try a thinner, higher-PG juice or lower your wattage.
- Change one thing at a time so you know what made the difference.
Thick, sweet juices also tend to build up on coils faster, so if you vape a lot of high-VG dessert flavors, keep an eye on when to change your coils. For more on balanced blends, see our guide to 50/50 e-liquid.
Once you know what works for you, browse our vape juice by flavor, or let the Zamplebox Club pick bottles for your flavor profile every month.
Common questions
Which is better, PG or VG?
Neither. PG favors flavor and throat hit, and VG favors vapor and smoothness. The right blend depends on your device and what you enjoy.
What PG/VG ratio should a beginner use?
If you are starting on a pod system or starter kit, 50/50 is a dependable place to begin. If you are starting on a sub-ohm tank, try 30/70.
What if high-PG juice feels harsh on my throat?
Some vapers find high-PG blends too sharp. A higher-VG blend or a lower nicotine strength may feel smoother. If irritation does not go away, stop vaping and talk to a doctor.
Can I use high-VG juice in a pod?
Sometimes, but thick juice often wicks too slowly in small pods and causes dry hits. Check your pod’s recommendations, and stick to 50/50 if you are unsure.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. For adults 21+ only.