You’ve probably seen those massive bottles of e-liquid in vape shops and noticed they’re not filled all the way to the top. What’s that all about? Is it a mistake?

Don’t worry – it’s completely intentional! Those bottles are called “shortfills,” and they’re one of the smartest and most popular ways to vape. This guide will explain what they are, how to use them, and if they’re the right choice for you.

The Simple Meaning of a Shortfill E-Liquid

A shortfill is a bottle of e-liquid that comes without nicotine and is deliberately underfilled. You’ll typically find them in 60ml or 120ml bottles that contain 50ml or 100ml of e-liquid, respectively. The empty space at the top is there for a reason – it’s where you add your nicotine shot to create your finished vape juice.

So, why does this vape juice exist? This clever workaround exists because the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) limits nicotine-containing e-liquids to 10ml bottles, but there’s no restriction on nicotine-free products.

How to Use a Shortfill in 3 Simple Steps

Getting your shortfill ready to vape is super easy and takes less than a minute.

Step 1. Add Nicotine

Remove the cap and nozzle from your shortfill bottle. Take your 10ml nicotine shot and pour the entire contents into the larger bottle. Most shortfills come with space for one or two nic shots.

Step 2. Shake Well

Replace the cap securely and shake the bottle vigorously for at least one minute. This ensures the nicotine mixes evenly throughout the e-liquid.

Step 3. Vape or Steep

Your e-liquid is now ready to use, though many vapers find the flavour improves after leaving it in a cool, dark place (steeping) for 24 hours.

Pro Tip: Want to vape nicotine-free? Easy. Just skip adding the nic shot and use the e-liquid straight from the bottle.

Shortfill vs. Longfill vs. Nic Salt: What’s the Difference?

Knowing your e-liquid types helps you pick the perfect juice for your kit.

Feature	Shortfill	Longfill	Nic Salt
What’s Inside	0mg E-Liquid	Flavour Concentrate Only	Pre-Mixed Nicotine Juice
How to Use	Add 1-2 Nic Shots	Add Base & Nicotine	Ready to Vape
Best For	Cloud Chasers & Low-Nic Vapers	DIY Mixologists	New Vapers & Pod Kits
Effort Level	Low	High	None – Zero Fuss

What Is the Difference Between Shortfill and 10ml?

The difference between shortfill and 10ml is the permitted nicotine content. A 10ml bottle of vape juice can be sold with a nicotine strength of up to 20mg in the United Kingdom. Any larger container than this cannot legally contain nicotine at the moment of sale. However, the customer is legally permitted to add as much nicotine as they wish once the shortfill has been purchased.

Who Should Use Shortfill E-Liquids?

Shortfills work best for specific types of vapers:

• Sub-Ohm Vapers: If you use high-wattage devices that produce big clouds, shortfills offer excellent value. You’ll go through e-liquid faster, so buying in bulk makes sense.

• Low-Nicotine Users: Shortfills are perfect for creating 3mg or 6mg nicotine strengths. Simply add one or two nic shots depending on your preference.

• 0mg Vapers: Already quit nicotine? Shortfills give you access to premium flavours in large bottles without any nicotine content.

How to Choose the Best Shortfill for You

Okay, so you’re ready to dive into the world of big bottles. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one? It all comes down to two simple things: the juice’s thickness and the flavour.

Getting Your Ratios Right: The VG/PG Lowdown

You’ll see “VG/PG ratio” on every bottle. This sounds technical, but it’s super simple once you know the secret.

• VG (Vegetable Glycerin) is the Cloud Maker. It’s a thick, slightly sweet liquid that’s responsible for producing those big, satisfying clouds of vapour.
• PG (Propylene Glycol) is the Flavour Carrier. It’s a much thinner liquid that’s great at carrying flavour and provides that “throat hit” sensation.

Almost all shortfills are high VG (usually a 70/30 VG/PG mix). This is because they’re designed to be used in bigger, more powerful sub-ohm vape kits that can handle the thick liquid and produce amazing clouds and flavour.

Something to keep in mind: High VG shortfills are for powerful, cloud-chasing kits. Don’t try to use them in a small, basic pod vape, as the thick juice will struggle to soak in and might clog your coil.

Finding Your Flavour: Where to Start?

The wall of flavours in a vape shop can be a bit much, with everything from simple apple to crazy dessert concoctions. The best way to find your favourite is to start with a category you already know you love.

• Fruits: The most popular starting point for a reason! Think juicy berry blends, sharp citrus, or sweet tropical mangoes.
• Desserts: For anyone with a sweet tooth. This is where you’ll find rich custards, creamy cheesecakes, and warm bakery flavours.
• Sweets & Candy: All your childhood favourites in vape form. Think sour gummies, sweet bubblegum, and classic hard candies.
• Drinks: From icy cool slushies and fizzy colas to rich coffees, there’s a drink-flavoured vape for every occasion.
• Menthol & Ice: If you love a cool, refreshing hit, this is your category. “Menthol” is a classic minty taste, while “Ice” adds a frosty, cooling sensation to other flavours (like Mango Ice).

Our advice? Start with a flavour profile you already enjoy in real life. If you love a good lemon tart, you’ll probably love a lemon tart vape. It’s the easiest way to find a winner on your first try.

A Few Shortfill Brands You Can Always Trust

How about shortfill brands? Here are a few of our tried-and-true favourites that never let us down.

• Zeus Juice: Zeus Juice is a legendary UK brand famous for its bold, complex, and almost mythical fruit concoctions. If you only try one flavour, make it their iconic “Zeus Juice Zodiac Electra Pineapple Ice.”

• Sweet Thief by MIST: For anyone with a sweet tooth, this is your go-to. Our rich, decadent dessert and bakery flavours taste just like the real thing. Cinnamon Danish is a must-try!

• Dr. Vapes: Looking for something a bit more complex? Dr. Vapes are famous for their unique and award-winning blends. Their “Panther Series” (especially the Dr. Vapes Black Panther) is iconic and offers a totally different kind of flavour experience.

• Drifter: Love intense and vibrant sweet flavours? Drifter are the absolute masters at bottling that distinct taste. We recommend the Drifter Bar Juice Pink Lemonade.

FAQ

How Many Nicotine Shots Should You Add? 

The amount of nicotine shots that you should add into a shortfill will depend on the bottle size, nicotine shot strength that you will be using, and your desired final nicotine strength. If this seems intimidating, don’t worry; it’s easy to get your head around how many nic shots you should add to your short-fill e-liquid. To help you with your shortfill calculations, you can refer to the table below:

Shorfill Size	Number of 18mg Nic Shots	Total Nic Strength
60ml (containing 50ml of 0% e-liquid)	1x 10ml	3mg
60ml (containing 20ml of 0% e-liquid)	4x 10ml	12mg
120ml (containing 100ml of 0% e-liquid)	2x 10ml	3mg

For a step-by-step guide, read our How to Add Nicotine to Vape Juice.

You can also use our shortfill calculator

Do I Need to Steep After Adding Nicotine Shots, and for How Long?

Yes, you will need to steep after adding nicotine shots to the shortfill. You should steep for at least 24 – 48 hours to allow the flavour concentrates to develop across the newly added nicotine shots.

Keep in mind that you can technically vape your shortfill as soon as the nic shots have been added, but you will notice improved flavour by the next day. This is especially true for shortfills that take more than a single nicotine shot.

Those who produce their own homemade shortfill e-liquids will sometimes steep them for up to 2-3 weeks, matching the brewing times used by traditional vape juice manufacturers.

We have more detailed information in our guide on how to steep e-liquid.

Can You Vape Shortfill Without Nicotine?

Yes, you can. You don’t necessarily have to add a nicotine shot to shortfill to enjoy the great flavours. You will, of course, not gain any nicotine relief from doing so. Still, many vapers who are reducing their nicotine intake will eventually begin vaping nicotine-free e-liquids to satisfy a mental habit even after the physical one has been overcome.

Can You Use Shortfills in Pods?

Technically, you can use shortfills in pods, but you have to double-check the VG/PG ratio of the shortfill and your coil’s homage. MTL coils (with resistances of 0.8ohms or higher) can capture and atomise 50/50 and high-PG e-liquids without issue but won’t be able to soak up high-VG e-liquids.

Similarly, DTL coils (with resistances of 0.7ohms or less) will soak and atomise high-VG e-liquids but are likely to experience spills and leaks if you try and use 50/50 or high-PG e-liquids with them.

Acquiring one of the best sub-ohm vape kits is essential if you’d like to use high-VG shortfills to enjoy producing large clouds from high-powered devices.

Need More Help?

Shortfills have become the go-to choice for experienced vapers who want flexibility and value. They’re straightforward to use – just add your nic shot, give it a good shake, and you’re ready to enjoy your favourite flavours. Whether you prefer low nicotine strengths or vape without nicotine entirely, shortfills offer an economical way to stock up on e-liquid.

Now that you understand the differences between shortfills, longfills, and nic salts, you can confidently choose the right e-liquid type for your vaping needs here at MIST online store.