Shortfills & nic shots: how to mix them properly.
Big bottle, no nicotine, and a little 10ml shot on the side. If you've ever picked up a shortfill and wondered what to actually do with it, you're not alone. It's one of the questions we get asked most in store.
The good news? Mixing a shortfill takes about 30 seconds once you know the numbers. Here's what shortfills and nic shots are, how to add them, and exactly what strength you'll end up with.
Short version? Here you go.
What is a shortfill?
A shortfill is a bottle of e-liquid that's been deliberately "short filled": it's sold nicotine-free, with empty space left at the top.
In the UK, any e-liquid that contains nicotine has to be sold in bottles of 10ml or less, at a maximum strength of 20mg/ml. Nicotine-free liquid doesn't have that bottle size limit, so manufacturers sell their flavours in bigger 50ml or 100ml bottles, leaving room for you to add nicotine yourself.
The two common sizes are a 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle (room for one nic shot) and a 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle (room for two). Bigger bottles mean you're not buying, opening and recycling ten little 10ml bottles every time you stock up.
Shortfills are an adult product like any other e-liquid. You still need to be 18+ to buy them, and Challenge 25 applies. Browse our full range of shortfill e-liquids.
What is a nic shot?
A nic shot (or nicotine shot) is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured liquid containing nicotine, usually at 18mg/ml. It's designed to be poured into a shortfill to bring it up to a vapeable strength without noticeably changing the flavour.
You'll see two main types:
Freebase nic shots are the classic option and are what most people use in shortfills. Nic salt shots (often 18mg or 20mg) give a smoother feel at the same strength, which some vapers prefer. If you're not sure which is which, our guide to nic salts vs freebase nicotine explains the difference.
Nic shots also come in different PG/VG blends, commonly 50/50 or 100% VG. Adding one will nudge your shortfill's ratio slightly, but not enough for most people to notice.
How to add a nic shot to a shortfill.
It's quick, it's easy, and you don't need any kit. Here's how we do it in store:
1. Open the shortfill. Most bottles have a child-resistant cap, then a nozzle tip that pulls off with a little firm pressure. Pull it up and away from you.
2. Add the nic shot. Open your nic shot, squeeze the whole 10ml into the shortfill bottle, then repeat with a second shot if you're mixing a 100ml.
3. Pop the nozzle back on and shake. Give it a good 30 seconds to a minute. Nicotine needs to be mixed evenly through the bottle, so don't skip this.
4. Let it settle. A few minutes is fine for most fruit and menthol flavours. Richer dessert and tobacco liquids can taste fuller if you leave them for a day or two (vapers call this steeping).
Wipe the bottle neck before you put the nozzle back on, and wash your hands after handling nicotine. Keep nic shots and mixed bottles out of reach of children and pets, and store them somewhere cool and dark with the caps on tight.
What strength will I end up with?
This is the bit that trips people up. Adding nicotine to a nicotine-free liquid dilutes it, so an 18mg shot doesn't give you an 18mg liquid. Here's what you get with standard 18mg nic shots:
| Shortfill size | Nic shots added | Total liquid | Final strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50ml | 1 × 18mg | 60ml | 3mg |
| 50ml | 2 × 18mg | 70ml | about 5mg |
| 100ml | 1 × 18mg | 110ml | about 1.6mg |
| 100ml | 2 × 18mg | 120ml | 3mg |
| 100ml | 3 × 18mg | 130ml | about 4mg (needs a bigger bottle) |
Want to work it out yourself? Multiply the number of nic shots by 180 (10ml × 18mg), then divide by the total liquid in ml. For example, two shots in 100ml: 360 ÷ 120 = 3mg.
Check the bottle has room before adding extra shots. A 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle only has space for one, so you'd need an empty mixing bottle for a second.
Most shortfill users land on 3mg, which suits bigger sub-ohm clouds. If you're not sure what strength is right for you, our nicotine strength guide walks you through it.
An 18mg nic shot doesn't make an 18mg liquid. Two shots in 100ml gives you 3mg.
70/30 or 50/50: which shortfill for your device?
Not every shortfill suits every vape. The thing to look at is the PG/VG ratio on the label.
70/30 (high VG) shortfills
Thicker liquid made for sub-ohm kits with low-resistance coils (usually below 1.0Ω). You get big clouds and full flavour on a direct-to-lung draw. Put this in a tight mouth-to-lung pod and it can struggle to soak the coil, giving you dry hits.
50/50 "pod fill" shortfills
Thinner liquid designed for refillable pod kits and MTL devices. Ranges like Seriously Pod Fill and Kick Back Pod Fill come in 100ml bottles but work in the same kits you'd use a 10ml 50/50 in.
Check the coil resistance printed on your pod or coil, then pick a ratio to match. Our explainer on PG & VG in e-liquid goes into more detail, and MTL vs DTL vaping helps you work out your vaping style.
Pick a shortfill, add your shot.
A couple of our best-sellers to get you started: one high-VG shortfill for sub-ohm kits, one 50/50 pod fill for pod kits, and the nic shots to go with them.
Strawberry Raspberry Pod Fill 100ml
Seriously Pod Fill · made for pod kits
Shortfills vs 10ml e-liquids.
Both have their place. It mostly comes down to the strength you vape and the device you use.
| Shortfill + nic shot | Ready-made 10ml | |
|---|---|---|
| Bottle size | 50ml or 100ml | 10ml |
| Strengths | Usually 0–5mg once mixed | 0–20mg, including nic salts |
| Best for | Sub-ohm kits and pod vapers on lower strengths | Pod kits, MTL vaping, higher strengths |
| Effort | 30 seconds to mix | Ready to vape |
| Packaging | One big bottle plus shots | Lots of small bottles |
If you vape a 10mg or 20mg nic salt in a pod kit, shortfills won't get you anywhere near that strength, so stick with 10ml bottles from our 10ml e-liquid range.
One more thing: the new Vaping Products Duty that started on 1 October 2026 applies to all vaping liquids, nicotine-free shortfills and nic shots included. Our guide to the UK vape tax 2026 explains what it means for prices.
Not sure what to mix? Ask us.
Pop into your local I Love Vapour store and our team will help you pick a shortfill that suits your kit, and show you how to mix it.
Or stock up online, with free UK delivery on orders over £20.
Shop shortfills →Shortfills & nic shots: your questions answered.
Do shortfills contain nicotine?
No. Shortfills are sold nicotine-free (0mg). You can vape them as they are, or add a nic shot to bring them up to a low strength such as 3mg.
How many nic shots do I put in a 100ml shortfill?
Two 18mg nic shots in a 100ml shortfill gives you 120ml at 3mg, which is the most common mix. One shot gives about 1.6mg.
How many nic shots do I put in a 50ml shortfill?
One 18mg nic shot in a 50ml shortfill makes 60ml at 3mg. Adding a second takes it to about 5mg, but you'll need a bottle with room for 70ml.
Can I put a nic salt shot in a shortfill?
Yes. Nic salt shots mix in exactly the same way and give a smoother feel. A 20mg salt shot in 50ml gives roughly 3.3mg.
Do nic shots change the flavour?
Nic shots are unflavoured, so the taste stays very close to the original. Some people notice a slightly stronger throat hit, which is the nicotine rather than the flavour.
How long does mixed shortfill last?
Stored with the cap on, in a cool, dark place, mixed shortfill keeps for months. Check the best-before date on the bottle and give it a shake before each refill.
18+ only. Our products are only for adults aged 18 and over. Challenge 25 applies in all our stores and to every online order.
Warning: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance. Vaping products are not suitable for non-smokers, people under 18, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.