What nicotine strength do I need in my e-liquid?
Ask any vaper about the importance of choosing the right nicotine strength, and they’ll tell you it’s one of the most important factors—if not the most important of all. Switching from smoking cigarettes to the world of vaping can feel like a big leap. With such a wide variety of e-liquids available at different nicotine levels, it can be hard to know which strength is right for you. That’s why we reached out to Dr. Vapes to help you understand how much nicotine you need and why.
Check out our full guide below to find out what nicotine strength you should be using.
The Basics
VG and PG are the two most common base liquids found in e-liquids. VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin, while PG stands for Propylene Glycol. VG is a thick, sweet liquid that produces dense vapor clouds, whereas PG is thinner and less sweet but carries flavor better and produces less vapor.
E-liquids are made from a mix of VG and PG in different ratios depending on the vaping style they’re intended for. Nicotine can also be added if desired.
What is Nicotine?
We’ve all heard of nicotine before, but knowing what it is and where it comes from can help you decide which type you may want to use. Nicotine is a naturally occurring substance found in tobacco plants, and it’s the chemical compound responsible for the pleasurable effects smokers feel when smoking cigarettes. Unlike cigarettes and other tobacco products, nicotine is optional when it comes to vaping. In e-liquids, nicotine is usually dissolved into the liquid and then vaporized. Inhaling nicotine vapor gives smokers a similar effect to smoking traditional cigarettes.
E-liquids are available in different nicotine concentrations designed to help smokers manage cravings and addiction. Some e-liquids, such as shortfill bottles, contain 0mg nicotine and are meant to be mixed with nicotine-containing e-liquids—like a “nic shot”—to create an e-liquid at your preferred strength.
What Does Nicotine Strength Mean?
Nicotine strength refers to the amount of nicotine, measured in milligrams, contained in a given bottle of e-liquid. According to TPD (Tobacco Products Directive) regulations, e-liquids that contain nicotine cannot be manufactured or sold in bottles larger than 10ml. Within these 10ml bottles, nicotine strength can range from 0mg up to 20mg. But what do these numbers actually mean?
If you’re brand-new to vaping, it’s important to understand what these milligrams represent. Using the wrong amount of nicotine can negatively affect your vaping experience, potentially making you feel dizzy, nauseous, or even giving you a headache—and we definitely don’t want that. Don’t worry: if you do experience these side effects, they pass quickly, but it’s best to adjust your nicotine level so you don’t continue to feel that way.
Nicotine strength is expressed either in milligrams (mg) or as a percentage. E-liquid bottles typically display nicotine strength as mg/ml, meaning milligrams per milliliter. Some e-liquids and devices—especially disposable vapes—show nicotine content as a percentage instead. Converting mg/ml to percentages might sound complicated, but it’s simpler than you think.
The percentage represents the total nicotine content in the e-liquid. For example, many disposables contain 2% nicotine, which equals 20mg per milliliter. If a vape has 1.8% nicotine, that’s equivalent to 18mg/ml. Starting to make sense now?
Nicotine Salts vs Freebase Nicotine
When it comes to vaping, there are two main types of nicotine used: freebase nicotine and nicotine salts. Each has its own pros and cons that vapers should be aware of.
Freebase nicotine is the original type used in e-liquids. It’s made by extracting nicotine from tobacco leaves and adding ammonia to adjust the pH level. Freebase nicotine is absorbed a little slower and delivers a stronger throat hit compared to nicotine salts. The higher the nicotine level, the stronger the throat hit. Some people enjoy this sensation, while others find it too harsh. If you’re in the latter group, nicotine salts may be the better option.
Nicotine salts are a newer form of nicotine used in e-liquids and are becoming increasingly popular in vaping. They’re made by combining nicotine with other acids to create a more stable compound. Nicotine salts provide a smoother throat hit even at high strengths, and they’re absorbed into the bloodstream faster, delivering a more gradual and longer-lasting effect.
Vaping Style and Nicotine Levels
The nicotine level you need depends largely on your vaping style. Some styles work better with higher nicotine levels than others. Let’s take a closer look:
Mouth-to-Lung (MTL)
In this method, coils with a resistance above 1.0 ohm are used. With MTL vaping, vapor is first drawn into the mouth before being inhaled into the lungs. This style closely mimics the experience of smoking traditional cigarettes, making it ideal for smokers who are just starting to switch to vaping. It’s also very beginner-friendly since other styles require more experience.
With MTL, you have more flexibility when choosing nicotine strengths. This style is best for those who need higher nicotine doses compared to cloud chasers. Many smokers use nicotine salts with MTL devices since they usually come in a 50/50 PG/VG ratio and high nicotine strengths, making them perfect for pod systems.
If you’re using an MTL device with sub-ohm coils (e.g., 0.8 ohm), the ideal nicotine strength is between 6–12mg. You’ll get more vapor than with higher-resistance coils, while still receiving a satisfying nicotine hit.
Direct-to-Lung (DTL)
Direct-to-Lung (DTL) Vaping
Direct-to-lung, or sub-ohm vaping, is known for producing large, thick vapor clouds. Sub-ohm devices are much more powerful than MTL vapes, vaporizing e-liquid at higher temperatures. This means more liquid is vaporized with each puff, producing denser clouds. Because of this, lower nicotine strengths are used—since higher strengths could cause you to inhale too much nicotine at once.
Nicotine salts are not recommended for this style of vaping, as their nicotine levels are generally too high. Instead, shortfills are used for DTL vaping. These are bottles of e-liquid with 0mg nicotine, usually with a higher VG content for bigger clouds. They can be used as-is, but for those who still want nicotine, a “nic shot” can be added.
It’s worth noting that even 6mg nicotine can be too strong for some DTL vapers, with 3mg being the sweet spot for most people.
To learn more about different vaping styles, check out our blog on the differences between MTL and DTL vaping.
So, Dr. Vapes, What Nicotine Strength is Right for Me?
Now that you have a better understanding of e-liquids and how nicotine works, it’s time to figure out what nicotine strength you need in your vape juice. Before deciding, there are a few factors to consider, as they’ll heavily influence your ideal level.
If you’ve just switched from smoking to vaping, the first thing to think about is how many cigarettes you used to smoke per day. If you were a heavy smoker, you’ll likely need a higher nicotine level to help with cravings.
0mg
This level is best for those who want to enjoy vaping without having been smokers before, or for vapers who were using 3mg and want to reduce nicotine down to zero while still vaping.
3mg – 6mg
These are the lowest nicotine levels available in e-liquids. They’re best suited for people who smoked 1–10 cigarettes a day or are nearing the end of quitting smoking. If you smoked fewer than 5 cigarettes daily, 3mg might be enough, but if you smoked closer to 10 a day, 6mg would likely be better to curb cravings.
12mg
This level is ideal for those who smoked around 15–20 cigarettes per day. Since it’s a big jump from 6mg, it’s recommended for moderate smokers who need a stronger dose of nicotine.
18mg – 20mg
These are the highest nicotine strengths allowed under TPD regulations, and should only be used by heavy smokers who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day. We recommend starting with 18mg to see if that’s enough, and if not, try 20mg in your next bottle. Disposable vapes are also worth considering, as they usually come in a 2% strength.
Conclusion
Choosing the right nicotine strength is essential to ensure a satisfying and enjoyable vaping experience. Using the wrong level can make vaping uncomfortable, which could even push you to give up vaping altogether.
If you weren’t a smoker or only smoked occasionally and start vaping at 20mg, it will likely feel far too strong. On the other hand, if your nicotine strength isn’t high enough, you might find yourself tempted to go back to smoking.
That’s why it’s important to experiment a little and find what works best for you! If you need more help switching from smoking to vaping, check out our blog on tips for making the switch.