The Petit Vapoteur blog

Choosing the right PG/VG base for your DIY e-liquid

01/23/2026 / Beginners Corner , SOS VAPE

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

DIY (Do It Yourself) is the process of making home-made e-liquid. You mix your own e-liquids using just a few products and a bit of elbow grease.

The main ingredient of an e-liquid is the Base. In short, it is a neutral e-liquid, without flavouring and without nicotine. A DIY base consists of PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerin), the proportions of which vary depending on specific criteria. Choosing the right PG/VG ratio is important and depends on your hardware and your preferences, as it determines the fluidness/viscosity, the throat hit, and the vapour production.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

PG/VG in detail

Propylene Glycol (PG) helps thin the e-liquid and enhances the throat hit (the scratching sensation in the throat) caused by nicotine. PG is also a flavour carrier, which allows you to reduce the amount of flavouring concentrate needed when mixing your e-liquid.

Vegetable Glycerin (VG) is viscous and enables the production of more vapour. Unlike Propylene Glycol, Vegetable Glycerin will require a larger amount of flavouring when mixing your e-liquid in order to achieve more prominent flavours.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

Things to remember!

Examples of DIY bases

70PG/30VG DIY Base (meaning 70% Propylene Glycol and 30% Vegetable Glycerin)

This PG/VG ratio provides a fluid base with a strong throat hit, requiring a low amount of flavouring and producing a less dense vapour.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

50PG/50VG DIY Base (meaning 50% Propylene Glycol and 50% Vegetable Glycerin)

This PG/VG ratio offers a balanced base in terms of fluidness and viscosity, providing a great compromise between throat hit and vapour, and requiring a standard/average percentage of flavouring.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

30PG/70VG DIY Base (meaning 30% Propylene Glycol and 70% Vegetable Glycerin)

This PG/VG ratio provides a viscous base with a smooth throat hit, increases the required amount of flavouring, and produces dense vapour.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

0PG/100VG DIY Base (meaning 0% Propylene Glycol and 100% Vegetable Glycerin)

This PG/VG ratio offers a highly viscous base with an almost non-existent throat hit, which requires a fairly significant amount of flavouring.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

DIY flavouring dosage

As shown in the examples above, it is imperative to adjust your DIY flavouring dosage according to the PG/VG ratio of your base. You should factor in roughly 1.5% to 2% (more or less) for each step in the PG/VG ratio, relative to the manufacturer's recommended dosage for a standard 50PG/50VG base.

Example for a recommended dosage of 10%:

70PG / 30VG Base: 6%
50PG / 50VG Base: 10%
30PG / 70VG Base: 14%
0PG / 100VG Base: 20%

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

To make your life easier, you can use our online e-liquid calculator.

The ultimate standard: 50/50

50PG/50VG is a versatile ratio commonly used by vapers. It is universal and compatible with most hardware on the market. However, you must pay close attention to your setup, particularly your coils: for some models, it is essential to use high-VG e-liquids to avoid the risk of leaking.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

The choice of your PG/VG ratio is therefore crucial and depends on your tastes, preferences, and hardware. Be careful with high-VG e-liquids, as they tend to gunk up your coils more quickly, thereby reducing their lifespan.

bien-choisir-sa-base-blog-le-petit-vapoteur

Find all PG/VG bases on Le Petit Vapoteur

To take it a step further, check out our guide: "How to make your own e-liquid?".

Flavien

Products link

100% Plant-based 9,90 €
Full VG Born To Diy 1 Litre Base
A Born to DIY Base 100% VG. 1L Format without Nicotine

4.86/5 1504 Reviews
Volume 1 L

Nicotine rate 0 mg
100% Plant-based 9,90 €
1L Base 0mg 30/70 - Born To Diy
With the 1L Base 0mg Born To DIY Le Petit Vapoteur , manufactures this e-liquid available for all. The ...

4.86/5 8291 Reviews
Volume 1 L

Nicotine rate 0 mg
Shop's favorite 100% Plant-based 9,90 €
1L Base 50/50 - Born To Diy
With the 1L Base 0mg Born To DIY Le Petit Vapoteur , manufactures this e-liquid available for all. The ...

4.89/5 25506 Reviews
Volume 1 L

Nicotine rate 0 mg
100% Plant-based 9,90 €
1L Base 70/30 - Born To Diy
With the 1L Base 0mg Born To DIY Le Petit Vapoteur , manufactures this e-liquid available for all. The ...

4.85/5 3429 Reviews
Volume 1 L

Nicotine rate 0 mg