E-Liquid Recipe Calculator
Your Recipe Results
| Ingredient | Volume (ml) | Weight (g) | Drops | Percentage (%) |
|---|
How to Use This Calculator
Ready to mix your own e-liquid? This calculator takes the guesswork out of DIY vaping. Here’s how simple it is:
Step 1: Set Your Batch Size
Enter the total amount of e-liquid you want to create. Most beginners start with 30ml or 50ml bottles, whilst experienced mixers often make 100ml or more at once. Remember, larger batches mean you’ll use ingredients more efficiently.
Step 2: Choose Your Nicotine Strength
This is the final nicotine concentration you want in your finished e-liquid. In the UK, most vapers choose between 3mg and 6mg for sub-ohm devices, or 6mg to 12mg for mouth-to-lung setups. If you’re using nicotine shots, you’re limited to 18mg base strength due to TPD regulations.
Step 3: Specify Your Nicotine Base
Tell the calculator what strength your nicotine base is. Most UK vapers work with 18mg/ml nicotine shots in 10ml bottles. Also indicate whether your nicotine base is 100% PG, 100% VG, or a mixture of both.
Step 4: Select Your PG/VG Ratio
Use the slider to set your preferred ratio. A 70% VG mix produces thick clouds and smooth throat hit, perfect for sub-ohm vaping. Higher PG ratios (like 50/50 or 60/40) deliver stronger throat hit and work better in pod systems.
Step 5: Add Flavour Concentration
Most concentrates work well between 10% and 20%. Fruit flavours typically need 15-20%, whilst dessert and bakery flavours might require 15-25%. Strong menthol or mint concentrates often need just 10-12%. Check your specific concentrate manufacturer’s recommendations.
Step 6: Calculate and Mix
Hit the calculate button and you’ll get precise measurements for each ingredient in millilitres, grams, drops, and percentages. Follow these measurements exactly for consistent results.
The Science Behind E-Liquid Mixing
What Makes Up E-Liquid?
Every bottle of vape juice contains four main components, each playing a crucial role in your vaping experience:
Propylene Glycol (PG)
This thin, flavourless liquid acts as a flavour carrier and produces throat hit. PG has a specific gravity of approximately 1.036 g/ml at room temperature. It’s the same substance used in food flavourings, cosmetics, and even theatrical smoke machines. Higher PG content means stronger flavour delivery and a more pronounced throat sensation similar to traditional cigarettes.
Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
VG is a thicker, slightly sweet liquid with a specific gravity of 1.26 g/ml. It’s derived from vegetable oils and is responsible for vapour production. The higher your VG percentage, the thicker your clouds will be. VG also smooths out the throat hit, making high-VG liquids popular for direct-lung vaping.
Nicotine
Nicotine can be suspended in either PG, VG, or a mixture of both. In the UK, TPD regulations limit nicotine-containing products to 10ml bottles with a maximum strength of 20mg/ml. This is why most UK DIY mixers use 18mg nicotine shots. The calculator accounts for the PG/VG content of your nicotine base to maintain your target ratio.
Flavour Concentrates
These highly concentrated flavourings are typically PG-based, though some manufacturers use VG or alcohol carriers. Most are many times stronger than food flavourings, which is why you only need 10-20% in your final mix. Using too much concentrate doesn’t make flavours stronger—it actually muddles them and can create an unpleasant taste.
The Mathematics of Mixing
The calculator uses precise formulas to determine each ingredient amount. First, it calculates how much nicotine base you need by dividing your desired strength by your base strength, then multiplying by total volume. Next, it accounts for the PG/VG content in your nicotine and flavour. Finally, it fills the remainder with pure PG and VG to hit your target ratio.
Why Specific Gravity Matters
When measuring by weight, specific gravity becomes crucial. Since VG is 1.26 times denser than water, 10ml of VG weighs 12.6g. PG weighs 10.36g per 10ml. The calculator provides both volume and weight measurements, but weight measurements are more accurate and easier to work with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Mixing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using Too Much Flavouring
More flavour doesn’t mean better taste. New mixers often think 30-40% concentrate will give them intense flavour, but it actually creates a muted, perfume-like taste called “flavour muting.” Stick to recommended percentages, usually 10-20%. If your mix tastes weak, the issue is likely the specific concentrate or steeping time, not the percentage.
Shaking High VG Mixes
Whilst shaking is necessary, excessive shaking of high VG liquids introduces air bubbles that can take days to settle. For thick mixes, use gentle rolling motions between your palms instead of vigorous shaking. This distributes ingredients without creating excessive bubbles.
Not Accounting for Nicotine Base Ratio
Many beginners forget that their nicotine shot has its own PG/VG ratio. If you’re using 100% PG nicotine and trying to make a 70% VG mix, your nicotine is working against your goal. Consider using 70/30 VG/PG nicotine base if you regularly mix high VG liquids.
Mixing in Poor Conditions
Temperature affects viscosity significantly. Cold VG is extremely thick and difficult to measure accurately. Let your VG warm to room temperature (20-25°C) before mixing. Similarly, don’t mix in a humid environment, as moisture can affect the final product.
Not Keeping Records
When you create a fantastic mix, you’ll want to make it again. Always write down exact percentages, flavour brands, and steeping time. Many mixers use notebooks or apps specifically for recipe tracking. Include notes about how the flavour developed over time.
Expecting Instant Results
Complex flavours need time to marry together. A mix that tastes harsh or unbalanced on day one might be perfect after a week. Give your liquids at least 3-5 days before judging them, and don’t throw away a mix just because it’s not perfect immediately.
Cross-Contaminating Equipment
Using the same syringe for PG and VG without cleaning carries over tiny amounts that throw off your measurements. Keep separate, labelled equipment for each base ingredient. At minimum, rinse thoroughly with hot water between uses.
Ignoring Safety Protocols
Nicotine is toxic in concentrated form and absorbs through skin. Always wear nitrile gloves when handling nicotine base. Mix in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets. If you get nicotine on your skin, wash immediately with cold water.
UK-Specific Regulations and Considerations
TPD Regulations
The UK Tobacco Products Directive limits nicotine-containing e-liquids to 10ml bottles with maximum 20mg/ml strength. This is why shortfills became popular—large bottles of 0mg liquid with space to add nicotine shots. When mixing your own, you can make larger batches, but you must use 18mg or 20mg nicotine shots as your base.
Nicotine Storage Laws
Whilst you can legally make e-liquid for personal use, selling or giving away nicotine-containing liquids requires proper licensing. Keep your DIY mixing strictly for personal consumption. Store nicotine safely in its original packaging, in a locked cupboard away from children.
Quality Sourcing in the UK
Purchase ingredients from reputable UK suppliers who provide safety data sheets and test their products. Pharmaceutical-grade VG and PG are preferable to technical grades. UK suppliers must comply with strict safety standards, giving you confidence in ingredient purity.
Flavour Concentrate Safety
Some flavour compounds aren’t safe for vaping despite being food-safe. Diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, and acetoin (sometimes called “diketones”) have been linked to respiratory issues. Many UK concentrate manufacturers now offer diacetyl-free versions. Check product specifications and choose manufacturers who test for these compounds.