50/50 PG VG Ratio – What It Means for Your Vape Experience

Definition

A 50/50 PG VG Ratio describes an e-liquid blend containing equal parts propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG), the two carrier fluids that suspend nicotine and flavour in VapeJuice“>vape juice. This balanced mix offers Australian vapers a middle-ground experience: PG delivers sharper throat-hit and carries flavour efficiently, while VG produces visible vapour and natural sweetness. Beginners often start with 50/50 juices because they work reliably in both low-power 510-thread pen devices and higher-power mods, without the wicking issues common in thicker high-VG liquids or the harshness sometimes felt in high-PG blends.

Technical Details

At 20 °C, a 50/50 PG VG blend has a viscosity around 18–22 centipoise—thin enough to saturate compact cotton wicks yet thick enough to limit leaking. The specific gravity averages 1.08 g ml⁻¹, giving 30 mL bottles a net weight of ≈32 g. Steeped nicotine oxidises at a slightly slower rate in this ratio because VG is marginally less reactive than PG. Standard commercial variants allow ±5% deviation (i.e., 45/55 to 55/45) while still labelled “50/50”. DIY mixers achieve the ratio by combining 1 mL PG-based nicotine concentrate, 1 mL PG flavouring and 3 mL VG to yield 20% flavour strength at exactly 50/50, a formula scalable to any batch size.

Usage & Tips

50/50 e-liquid suits coils rated 8–25 W and 1.0–0.4 Ω—ideal for mouth-to-lung tanks and most pod systems. Prime new coils with five drops directly on the cotton, then fill the tank and wait five minutes to prevent dry hits. If you experience minor leaking in hot Australian climates, close the airflow when the device is not in use and store upright. Freebase nicotine strengths 0mg, 3mg, 6mg and 12mg are common; nic-salt versions at 20mg or 35mg remain equally smooth because the balanced viscosity keeps solubility high. Always shake the bottle before use; PG and VG can separate slightly over weeks.

History & Context

When cig-a-likes emerged in the late-2000s, early Chinese cartridges used almost pure PG for efficiency. As cloud-chasing culture grew, VG content rose, and the 50/50 midpoint became a default “universal” base around 2012. Today, Australian manufacturers continue to list 50/50 as their best-selling ratio because it bridges the gap between discreet pods and sub-ohm cloud set-ups.