E-Liquid Nicotine Mix Calculator

Introduction

DIY e-liquid mixing is popular because it can lower cost, give you control over ingredients, and let you fine-tune nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio for your device. The tradeoff is that accuracy matters: nicotine is potent, and small measurement errors can noticeably change the final strength. This calculator estimates the volumes of nicotine base, propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG) needed to reach a target nicotine concentration (mg/mL) for a chosen final bottle size (mL) and a PG/VG ratio.

What this page calculates: the amount of nicotine base to add, then splits the remaining volume into PG and VG according to your percentages. It’s intended for hobbyist planning and educational use; always follow local regulations and safe handling practices.

How to Use the Calculator

1. Total Volume (mL): Enter the final amount of e-liquid you want to make (for example, 30 mL or 100 mL).
2. Target Strength (mg/mL): Enter the nicotine strength you want in the finished e-liquid (for example, 3, 6, or 12 mg/mL).
3. Nicotine Base Strength (mg/mL): Enter the strength of your nicotine base (commonly 48, 72, or 100 mg/mL).
4. PG Percentage (%) and VG Percentage (%): Enter the desired ratio for the finished mix. The two values must add up to 100.
5. Select Compute Mix to see the breakdown.

Tip: Measure in milliliters using syringes, graduated cylinders, or a scale with known density conversions. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling nicotine base, and keep supplies away from children and pets.

Formula (Nicotine Mass Balance)

The calculator uses a simple conservation relationship: the amount of nicotine in the final mixture equals the amount of nicotine contributed by the base.

Let $S_t$ be the target strength (mg/mL), $S_b$ the nicotine base strength (mg/mL), and $V_t$ the desired total volume (mL). The required nicotine base volume $V_n$ is:

After adding nicotine base, the remaining volume is:

Then PG and VG volumes are calculated from your chosen percentages (which must sum to 100):

Worked Example

Goal: Make 30 mL of 6 mg/mL e-liquid using a 100 mg/mL nicotine base at a 50/50 PG/VG ratio.

• Nicotine base volume: Vn = (6 ÷ 100) × 30 = 1.8 mL
• Remaining volume: 30 − 1.8 = 28.2 mL
• PG volume (50%): 0.50 × 28.2 = 14.1 mL
• VG volume (50%): 0.50 × 28.2 = 14.1 mL

So you would measure 1.8 mL of nicotine base, then add 14.1 mL PG and 14.1 mL VG to reach 30 mL total.

Assumptions and Limitations

This calculator intentionally keeps the math straightforward. It is accurate for the scenario it models, but it does not account for every real-world mixing detail:

• Flavor concentrates are not included. If you add flavoring (for example, 10% of the bottle), that flavor volume reduces the space available for PG/VG diluent. A common manual approach is: compute nicotine base first, then subtract flavor volume from the remaining volume before splitting into PG/VG.
• Nicotine base carrier is not modeled. Many nicotine bases are dissolved in PG or VG. If your base is PG-based, it contributes PG to the final ratio; if it’s VG-based, it contributes VG. This calculator assumes the base “fits” your target ratio and simply treats nicotine base as a separate component.
• Rounding and measurement error. Results are displayed to two decimals. Your tools may not measure that precisely, and small rounding differences can occur.
• Density/weight mixing not included. Some mixers prefer grams instead of mL. This page outputs volumes only.
• Safety and compliance. Nicotine handling requires care (gloves, eye protection, ventilation). Laws and product rules vary by region; follow applicable guidance.

PG/VG Ratio Guidance

PG and VG change the feel of the vape. PG is thinner and tends to carry flavor and throat hit; VG is thicker and tends to produce smoother draws and denser vapor. Device type, coil/wick design, and personal preference all matter. These common ratios are a starting point:

Once you understand how the volumes relate, you can iterate quickly: increasing target strength increases nicotine base volume and reduces available diluent; increasing total volume scales all components proportionally. If you change nicotine base strength (for example, from 48 mg/mL to 100 mg/mL), the required base volume changes automatically to keep the final concentration consistent.

Practical Mixing Notes (So Your Numbers Match Your Bottle)

Many DIY guides talk about “PG/VG ratio,” “nicotine base,” and “flavor percentage” as if they are independent. In practice, every ingredient occupies volume, so the order you plan your recipe matters. This calculator focuses on nicotine base plus plain PG and VG. If you also use flavor concentrates, sweeteners, cooling agents, or additives, treat them as part of the total volume and subtract them before you split the remaining space into PG and VG.

Simple workflow that stays consistent: (1) decide your total bottle size, (2) decide your target nicotine strength, (3) decide your flavor percentage, (4) compute nicotine base volume, (5) subtract flavor volume, then (6) allocate the rest to PG and VG. If your nicotine base is carried in PG or VG, you can refine the ratio by counting the nicotine base toward the PG or VG side. This page does not do that refinement automatically, but you can still use the results as a starting point and adjust by hand.

Example with flavoring (manual adjustment): Suppose you want 60 mL total at 3 mg/mL using 100 mg/mL nicotine base, 70/30 VG/PG, and 10% flavor. First compute nicotine base: (3 ÷ 100) × 60 = 1.8 mL. Flavor is 10% of 60 mL = 6.0 mL. Remaining space for diluents is 60 − 1.8 − 6.0 = 52.2 mL. If you want 30% PG and 70% VG in the diluent portion, PG would be 0.30 × 52.2 = 15.66 mL and VG would be 0.70 × 52.2 = 36.54 mL. This keeps the bottle total at 60 mL while accounting for flavor volume.

Safety, Handling, and Measurement Accuracy

Nicotine solutions can be hazardous if spilled on skin or ingested. Even at hobbyist concentrations, safe handling is part of responsible DIY. Use nitrile gloves, avoid touching your face, and clean spills promptly. Mix in a well-ventilated area, label your bottles clearly (strength, date, and contents), and store nicotine base locked away from children and pets. If you are unsure about safe handling, consult reputable safety guidance before mixing.

For accuracy, many mixers prefer weighing ingredients rather than measuring by volume. A scale can be more repeatable, especially for VG, which is thick and can cling to syringes. This calculator outputs milliliters because it is universal and easy to understand. If you weigh, you can still use the mL results as a planning reference and then convert to grams using the densities of your specific ingredients (which vary by temperature and formulation). When precision matters, keep notes and repeat the same method each time.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Why does the calculator say the target strength cannot exceed the base strength?

The nicotine base is the concentrated source of nicotine. If your base is 48 mg/mL, you cannot mix a final liquid stronger than 48 mg/mL without adding a stronger nicotine source. When the target strength is higher than the base strength, the formula would require more nicotine base than the total bottle volume, which is impossible.

Do PG and VG percentages have to add up to 100?

For this calculator, yes. The PG and VG fields represent how you want to split the non-nicotine portion of the bottle into two diluents. If you plan to include other components (like flavor concentrates), keep the PG/VG fields at 100% combined and account for flavors separately as described above.

What if my nicotine base is in PG or VG?

Many nicotine bases are dissolved in PG, VG, or a blend. That carrier contributes to the final ratio. This calculator treats nicotine base as its own component and then splits the remaining volume into PG and VG. If you want a more exact ratio, you can subtract the nicotine base volume from the PG or VG side depending on the carrier. For example, if your base is 100% PG, you can consider the nicotine base volume as part of your PG total and reduce added PG accordingly.

Why do my results look slightly different from another calculator?

Differences usually come from rounding, whether flavoring is included, and whether the nicotine base carrier is counted toward PG/VG. Some tools also compute by weight or assume specific densities. The core nicotine mass-balance relationship is the same, but the “recipe accounting” choices can change the displayed PG and VG amounts.

What are typical nicotine strengths?

Typical freebase strengths for lower-power devices might be 3–12 mg/mL, while nicotine salt products can be higher depending on local rules and user preference. The right number depends on your device, how you vape, and your tolerance. If you are reducing nicotine, step down gradually and keep notes on what feels comfortable.

What does PG/VG do to wicking and coil performance?

Higher VG liquids are thicker and may require larger wicking ports and more power to vaporize efficiently. Higher PG liquids are thinner and can wick more easily in small coils and pods, but may feel harsher for some users. If you experience dry hits, leaking, or muted flavor, adjusting the ratio (and your power level) can help.

Summary

This e-liquid nicotine mix calculator is designed to answer a practical question: “How much nicotine base, PG, and VG do I measure to reach my target strength and bottle size?” Enter your total volume, target strength, base strength, and PG/VG ratio, then compute the mix. Use the results as a clear starting point, and if you add flavors or want to account for nicotine carrier, apply the adjustment notes above so your final bottle totals remain consistent.