Shortfills are one of the most popular ways to buy e-liquid in the UK, especially for people using sub-ohm kits that get through a lot of liquid. This guide explains what a shortfill is, how to add a nicotine shot, and how to work out the strength you will end up with.
What is a shortfill?
UK rules limit nicotine e-liquid to bottles of 10ml. A shortfill is a nicotine-free (0mg) e-liquid sold in a bigger bottle that is deliberately left part-empty, for example 100ml of e-liquid in a 120ml bottle. The space lets you add nicotine yourself with one or two nic shots.
What is a nic shot?
A nic shot is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured e-liquid, usually 18mg or 20mg, made for adding to a shortfill. Because it is unflavoured, it dilutes the shortfill’s flavour only slightly.
How to add a nic shot, step by step
- Take the cap off the shortfill. Most bottles have a nozzle that pulls out with a fingernail or the edge of a coin.
- Squeeze the whole nic shot into the shortfill bottle.
- Push the nozzle back in firmly and replace the cap.
- Shake the bottle well for about a minute so the nicotine mixes evenly.
- Give it a final shake before each refill.
Store e-liquids upright, with the caps on, and out of reach of children and pets.
What strength will you end up with?
The final strength is the nicotine in the shot divided by the total volume: (shot strength × shot volume) ÷ total volume. With 18mg shots:
| Shortfill | 18mg nic shots | Total volume | Approximate strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50ml in a 60ml bottle | 1 | 60ml | 3mg |
| 100ml in a 120ml bottle | 1 | 110ml | 1.6mg |
| 100ml in a 120ml bottle | 2 | 120ml | 3mg |
If you want a strength above 3mg, a shortfill is not usually the right format: choose a 10ml freebase e-liquid or nic salts instead.
Which devices are shortfills for?
Most shortfills are 70/30 VG/PG or higher, which suits sub-ohm, direct-to-lung tanks. Thick, high-VG liquids can struggle to soak the small, higher-resistance coils in pod kits, so check the PG/VG ratio on the product page before buying for a pod kit. Some ranges are made in 50/50 specifically for pods.
Shortfills or 10ml e-liquids?
- Shortfills usually cost less per ml and mean fewer bottles, but top out at around 3mg once mixed.
- 10ml e-liquids come ready to use in a wider choice of strengths, including nic salts up to 20mg.
Not sure which nicotine type suits you? Our guide to nic salts and freebase explains the difference. When you are ready, browse our shortfills, including 100ml shortfills.
