A Guide to E-Liquids: Shortfills or 10mls?

Ever wondered what a shortfill is, and how it differs from a 10ml bottle of e-liquid? In this handy guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know.

For mouth-to-lung vapers, and anyone that loves to try various different flavours without committing, a standard 10ml bottle of e-liquid is ideal for you. 10ml e-liquids come pre-mixed with nicotine, from 0mg strengths to the maximum UK strength of 20mg. But, have you noticed that you can no longer buy any nicotine-containing e-liquids in a bottle size greater than 10ml?

For sub-ohm or direct-to-lung vapers, larger bottles of e-liquid were very useful, as a convenient, environmentally-friendly and money-saving option for the higher amount of liquid needed to vape using this method. Why purchase five 10ml bottles of e-liquid when you can purchase one 50ml bottle? But, with the introduction of the Tobacco Products Directive, or TPD, in May 2017, vape companies were no longer allowed to sell nicotine-containing e-liquids in bottles greater than 10ml in size. Vapers who were used to unlimited bottle sizes had to get the same amount of e-liquid that they required for their needs, but in 10ml bottles.

When the TPD came into force, the innovative vape industry had to deliver to combat this drastic change - how could we make large bottles of e-liquid that were still compliant with UK law? Introducing… the shortfill! Just like its name, a shortfill is an underfilled bottle of e-liquid ranging from 25ml to 200ml in size. As shortfill e-liquids do not contain any nicotine, they don’t fall under TPD regulation.

But where’s the nicotine, we hear you ask? Where’s the rest of the liquid? Shortfills are designed in this way to allow for the addition of a nic shot, or nicotine shot. Nicotine shots are typically 10ml bottles of e-liquid at 18mg nicotine strength, which can come in multiple variations including different ratios of PG/VG and either flavourless or containing menthol for an icy hit.

How do I mix a shortfill e-liquid to my preferred nicotine strength?

By adding a nic shot to your shortfill e-liquid, you can mix the juice to your desired strength, which is usually 3mg or 6mg for sub-ohmers. To do so, you simply pop the cap off the bottle, add the shot and shake vigorously, providing a much larger quantity of nicotine-containing e-liquid. For instance, adding a 10ml bottle of 18mg nicotine e-liquid to a 50ml shortfill would provide 60ml of 3mg e-liquid. If you’re a nicotine-free vaper, you’re ready to go as is!

With shortfill bottle sizes ranging from 25ml up to a huge 200ml, it can sometimes seem confusing how much nicotine you need to add - but it’s actually as simple as filling up your device! Here’s a useful table to explain exactly how to get the perfect strength for you.

Browse our huge range of TPD-compliant 10ml e-liquids and shortfills from 30ML to 100ML today, and find the perfect juice for you!