Shortfill E-Liquids

What Is a Shortfill E-Liquid?

Shortfills are nicotine-free e-liquids sold in bottles that aren't completely full. The "short fill" leaves room for you to add nicotine shots, so you can mix your own strength rather than being limited to what's on the shelf.

In the UK, regulations cap nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles at 10ml and limit strength to 20mg/ml. Shortfills get around this by shipping without nicotine - you add it yourself. It's a legal workaround that also happens to be better value, since you're buying vape juice in bulk rather than lots of small bottles.

Sizes typically run 50ml, 100ml, or 200ml, with each bottle slightly larger than the liquid inside. A 50ml shortfill comes in a 60ml bottle, a 100ml in a 120ml bottle, and so on. That extra space is exactly enough for the right number of nic shots to hit your target strength.

Most shortfill vape juices are high VG blends aimed at sub-ohm vapers chasing clouds and bold flavour. But 50/50 shortfills also exist for mouth-to-lung (MTL) setups where thinner juice works better with smaller coils.

How to Mix a Shortfill

Adding nicotine to a shortfill takes less than a minute once you know the process.

• Remove the cap and nozzle from your shortfill bottle
• Pour in your nic shot - the full 10ml
• Replace the nozzle and cap securely
• Shake the bottle for 30 to 60 seconds until blended
• Let it sit for a few minutes before filling your tank or pod

The liquid may look slightly cloudy at first, but it clears as the nicotine distributes evenly. Some vapers prefer to leave it overnight, especially with dessert or tobacco flavours where steeping can deepen the taste. For fruit and menthol profiles, you can usually vape straight away without noticing much difference.

If you're adding more than one nic shot, repeat the process. Pour, seal, shake. The key is making sure everything's properly mixed before you vape - uneven nicotine distribution means inconsistent hits.

Shortfill Nicotine Strength Guide

Most vapers mixing shortfills end up at 3mg nicotine, and that's by design. The standard setup - one 18mg nic shot into a 50ml shortfill - gives you 60ml of vape juice at roughly 3mg strength.

Here's the simple rule of thumb:

• 50ml shortfill + 1 nic shot = approximately 3mg
• 100ml shortfill + 2 nic shots = approximately 3mg
• 200ml shortfill + 4 nic shots = approximately 3mg

Want something stronger? You can reach around 6mg with a 50ml shortfill by adding two nic shots, but you'll need to pour out a little e-liquid first to make room. Some brands sell shortfills specifically designed for higher strengths with extra headspace in the bottle.

For the curious, the maths works like this: (nic shot strength × nic shot volume) ÷ total final volume = final mg/ml. But honestly, the one-shot-per-50ml rule covers most situations without needing a calculator.

If you're coming from disposables or nic salts at 10mg or 20mg, 3mg freebase will feel noticeably lighter. That's normal - sub-ohm vaping produces more vapour per puff, so you're still getting nicotine, just delivered differently.

Which Nic Shot Should You Use?

Not all nic shots are the same, and picking the right one affects both throat hit and how well it blends with your shortfill.

• Freebase nic shots are the most common. They deliver a noticeable throat hit at higher strengths, which some vapers prefer for that familiar cigarette-like sensation. Most 18mg nic shots are freebase, and they work well in high VG shortfills designed for sub-ohm vaping.
• Salt nic shots feel smoother, even at higher concentrations. They absorb faster into the bloodstream too, so you feel the nicotine quicker. These suit vapers who want strength without the throat scratch, though they're less common in high VG formats.
• Ice nic shots add a cooling sensation alongside the nicotine. Worth considering if you're mixing with fruit flavours and want that menthol edge.

The golden rule is matching your nic shot's VG/PG ratio to your shortfill. If you're using a 70VG/30PG sub-ohm vape juice, go for a high VG nic shot. If you've got a 50/50 shortfill for MTL vaping, use a 50/50 nic shot. Mismatched ratios won't ruin anything, but they can throw off the consistency and affect how the liquid performs in your device.

Shortfills and Device Compatibility

The VG/PG ratio of your shortfill determines which devices it works best with. Get this wrong and you'll end up with dry hits, leaking, or muted flavour.

High VG Shortfills (70/30 and above)

Thick, viscous liquid built for sub-ohm and direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping. Higher wattage devices with low-resistance coils vapourise high VG juice efficiently, producing dense clouds and intense flavour. Kits that handle these sub-ohm vape juices include:

• Vaporesso Luxe XR Max
• VooPoo Drag X3
• Smok Nord GT
• Vaporesso Armour Max

High VG shortfills struggle in smaller, low-powered devices - the juice is too thick to wick properly, leading to burnt coils and weak hits.

50/50 Shortfills

Thinner consistency, suited to mouth-to-lung (MTL) and restricted direct-to-lung (RDTL) vaping. These work with lower wattage pod kits where tighter airflow and higher resistance coils need juice that flows easily. Devices that pair well with 50/50 shortfill e-liquids include:

• Vaporesso XROS 5
• Elf Bar ELFX
• VooPoo Argus G3
• Elf Bar ELFA Turbo

If you're using a pod kit and not sure which way it leans, check the coil resistance. Anything above 1.0ohm is typically MTL territory and better suited to 50/50 blends.

Shortfills vs Nic Salts: Which Is Right for You?

If you're vaping MTL with a pod kit, you've got a choice: nic salts or 50/50 shortfills. Both work, but they suit different priorities.

Nic salts come ready to vape in 10ml bottles, no mixing required. Strengths go up to 20mg, so they're ideal if you need a stronger nicotine hit to keep cravings at bay. The tradeoff is bottle size - you'll get through 10ml quickly and the per-ml cost adds up.

50/50 shortfills offer better value if you're happy at lower strengths. A 100ml bottle lasts far longer than ten 10ml nic salts, and you're getting the same flavour quality. The catch is you'll max out around 6mg nicotine, which might not be enough if you've recently switched from smoking or are used to higher strength vape juice.

The practical answer? Nic salts for convenience and higher nicotine needs. 50/50 shortfills for long-term savings and when 3-6mg keeps you satisfied. Some vapers use both - nic salts when they're out and about, shortfills at home where mixing isn't a hassle.

Choosing the Right Shortfill Size

Shortfills come in three main sizes, and the right one depends on how much you vape and how quickly you want to commit to a flavour.

• 50ml shortfills are a good starting point if you're trying a new flavour or brand. One nic shot gets you to 3mg, two gets you closer to 6mg (with a little decanting). Less commitment if you don't end up loving it, though the per-ml cost is slightly higher than larger bottles.
• 100ml shortfills hit the sweet spot for most regular vapers. Two nic shots for 3mg strength, and the bottle lasts a couple of weeks depending on how heavily you vape. Better value than 50ml, and most popular flavours come in this size.
• 200ml shortfills offer the best value per ml, but you're committing to a lot of one flavour. Takes four nic shots for 3mg. These suit vapers who've found their all-day-vape and want to stock up, or those going through juice quickly on high-wattage setups.

Note: Nicotine is an addictive substance. This product is intended for adult smokers and vapers only.

Shortfill E-Liquids FAQs

What's the difference between e-liquid and shortfill?

Standard e-liquids come ready to vape with nicotine already mixed in, capped at 10ml bottles in the UK. Shortfills are nicotine-free and sold in larger bottles (50ml to 200ml), leaving space for you to add nic shots and choose your own strength.

Are shortfills cheaper than regular e-liquid?

Yes, significantly. Buying a 100ml shortfill plus two nic shots costs far less than ten separate 10ml bottles of the same flavour. The savings add up quickly if you're vaping regularly.

Can you vape shortfill without adding nicotine?

Absolutely. Shortfills are nicotine-free out of the bottle, so if you're happy vaping 0mg, just fill your tank and go. No mixing needed.

How much nic shot do I add to a shortfill?

One 10ml nic shot per 50ml of shortfill gives you roughly 3mg strength. So 50ml needs one shot, 100ml needs two, 200ml needs four.

How long should I shake a shortfill after mixing?

Around 30 to 60 seconds of solid shaking blends the nicotine evenly. The liquid might look cloudy initially but clears after a few minutes.

Is 6mg nicotine a lot?

It depends on your setup. For sub-ohm vaping with high vapour output, 6mg can feel quite strong - most cloud chasers sit at 3mg. For MTL vaping with less vapour, 6mg is moderate and suits vapers stepping down from higher strengths.

Can I use shortfills in a pod kit?

Yes, but check the VG/PG ratio. Most pod kits work best with 50/50 shortfills. High VG shortfills (70/30 or above) are too thick for smaller coils and can cause wicking problems.

How long does a shortfill bottle last?

Depends on how much you vape. A 100ml bottle might last a casual vaper three to four weeks, while heavy users could get through it in under two. Sub-ohm setups generally consume more juice than MTL devices.

What's the difference between freebase and salt nic shots?

Freebase nic shots deliver a more noticeable throat hit and are the standard for sub-ohm vaping. Salt nic shots feel smoother and absorb faster, suiting vapers who want nicotine without the harshness.

Do shortfills have an expiry date?

Yes, usually around one to two years from manufacture. The date is printed on the bottle. E-liquid doesn't spoil dangerously after expiry, but flavour and nicotine potency can degrade over time. Store in a cool, dark place for best results.