What do VG and PG Numbers Mean?

If you’re new to the world of vaping, there is a lot of terminology that may leave you scratching your head. It can be daunting trying to get up to speed on what the terminology means, especially as the vaping culture can sometimes seem like it has its own language. One of the most common and most important terminologies you will come across is VG vs PG. To help you on your way to vaping know how, we have put together this blog post to break it down, and give you the inside scoop on what it means.

What does VG mean?

VG is short for Vegetable Glycerin. Vegetable Glycerin is a clear liquid which is produced using natural resources such as coconut or soybeans. It has no smell, but has a mild sweet taste.

What about PG?

PG is short for Propylene Glycol. Propylene Glycol is a man-made liquid; it also has no smell and a mild sweet taste.

How are VG and PG used in vaping?

VG and PG make up the main ingredients of the e-Liquid that you use inside your vape, to well… vape!

VG and PG each have their own characteristics that they bring to the table when it comes to your e-Liquid. They each play a role in supporting and bonding the nicotine strength of your e-Liquid, with the flavours in your e-Liquid to result in the vapour that is produced. VG and PG are essentially the mode of transport for nicotine and flavour to become vape. If you understand the roles they play, you can confidently browse the options available to you. As VG and PG both have their own qualities, they can be mixed to create your desired perfect vaping experience. This is where the numbers comes in.

VG Characteristics:

VG is a thick liquid, and this lends itself to a “smoother” vaping experience. Owing to the thickness of the liquid, you will also produce bigger and denser vape clouds by vaping a high VG e-Liquid. The higher the VG number, the better the clouds! The flavour experience from a high VG e-Liquid can be slightly muted however, because the liquid is thick it takes time for the flavourings to mix in and realise their full flavour potential.

PG Characteristics:

PG is a thinner liquid than VG, and lends itself to a “sharper” vaping experience. As PG is thinner than VG, the vape produced is not as dense or noticeable. The higher the PG number, the stealthier the vapour is! The flavour experience from high PG e-Liquids can be stronger than with VG, as the thinner properties of PG allow the flavourings to mix in faster and hold their flavour better.

The numbers for VG vs PG represent the percentage of each ingredient that makes up the e-Liquid. VG is always the first number, and PG is always the second number.

What are the common ratios?

• 70/30 or 70% VG vs 30% PG
• 60/40 or 60% VG vs 40% PG
• 50/50 or 50% VG vs 50% PG

How do I know which one is right for me?

This question is where things get a little more complicated.

Certain set ups work best with certain mixes, and some set ups work with any mix. If you’re considering buying your first vape, consider what it is you want to get out of your vaping experience. If big clouds are something you aspire to, a higher VG e-Liquid and a set up to accommodate that is where to start your search.

If you’re trying to quit smoking and want to maintain that “sharper” feeling then a higher PG e-Liquid and a set up accommodate is where to start your search.

If flavour is the most important thing to you, then try out some different e-Liquids to see which ratio gives you the most satisfaction, for the cloud density you prefer.

It can help to think of VG vs PG as like cooking a curry. Some people want more spice from their curries; they seek out the kick you feel in the back of your throat as you eat something spicy. Other people prefer a milder smooth experience. You achieve each of these differences by altering the ratio of ingredients used, and the same is true for how VG vs PG makes up your choice of e-Liquid.

Are you still unsure?

Sometimes you need to experience the difference to know what you want and what you prefer, and sometimes it just helps to speak to a person. If you have any questions we are happy to help, just get in touch via our contact page.

Under normal circumstances you could pop in store, and we would happily accommodate trying out different e-Liquids to work with you in determining the best fit for you. However as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic this isn’t possible right now. Please keep an eye on our website though for updates.