How to Mix Shortfills & Nic Shots for the Perfect Vape Hit
Shortfill e liquid and nic shots have become a staple in the UK vaping scene. With TPD limiting nicotine bottles to just 10ml, UK vapers rely on shortfill e liquid and nicotine shots more than ever.
According to recent forum stats, over 70% of mixers now use an eliquid calculator or nic shot calculator to avoid flavour loss and maintain consistency. By adding nicotine for vape juice shots, you can customise strength—whether you want a light 3mg/ml in percent or a stronger 12mg e liquid.
The key to success lies in accurate ratios. That’s where an eliquid calculator or shots calculator comes in handy. Whether you’re aiming for a light 3mg ml in percent or need to know how to make 12mg e liquid, accuracy matters.
In this guide, you’ll learn how many shots in 50 ml, 100ml vape juice, or even 250ml in shots. Plus, we’ll cover flavour tips, dilution effects, and the pros of shortfills vs longfills.
Key Takeaways
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Shortfill e liquid bottles are nicotine-free, designed to be topped up with nic shots.
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A standard 18mg nicotine vape juice shot turns a 50ml shortfill into ~3mg/ml.
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Use an e liquid calculator or nic shot calculator for accurate nicotine strength.
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How many shots in 50 ml? Usually one for 3mg; two for 6mg.
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Larger bottles (100ml, 250ml) scale up—just use a vaping calculator or cigarette calculator to compare savings.
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Adding nicotine shots can dilute flavour, so shake and steep well.
What is a Shortfill & Nic Shot?
What’s a Nic Shot & Why Do Vapers Use It?
A nic shot (sometimes called nicnic shots, liquid shots, or vapor shots) is a small 10 ml bottle of concentrated nicotine—typically 18mg nicotine vape juice or 20mg nicotine strength.
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Freebase nicotine shots: Standard form, gives a stronger throat hit.
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Nic salts: Smoother and faster-absorbing; a 10mg nic salt equivalent can feel stronger than a 12mg e liquid freebase mix.
For more on the science of nicotine delivery, see this NHS guide to vaping.
Understanding Shortfill E Liquid
A shortfill (sometimes marketed as 50/50 shortfills or achat e-liquide shortfill) is a larger nicotine-free bottle, usually 50 ml in a 60 ml container. That extra space is left so you can add your nicotine for vape juice.
Benefits of longfill eliquid vs shortfill:
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Shortfill e liquid: Pre-flavoured, ready to vape after adding your shot.
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Longfill: Flavour concentrate only, requires you to add base liquid and nicotine yourself—better control, but more effort.
Example: For fruity blends, a bottle of Guava Passion Seriously Salty E-Liquid (Nic Salt) 10ml pairs beautifully with shortfills, giving your mix an exotic punch.
In Image: Guava Passion Seriously Salty E-Liquid (Nic Salt) 10ml
How to Mix Shortfills & Nic Shots Correctly
Nic Shot Calculator: The Easy Way to Mix
Using a nic shot calculator or eliquid calculator is the simplest way to get precise nicotine levels. By inputting bottle size, nicotine shot strength (e.g., 18mg/ml in percentage), and your desired mg juice, you’ll avoid guesswork. Stats from Planet of the Vapes show most UK mixers rely on calculators to maintain accuracy.
A vaping calculator also prevents wasting liquid—especially when dealing with 250ml in shots where errors add up. Many users confirm on forums that calculators improve consistency, which is key if you switch between 3mg ml in percent and stronger mixes.
For another calculator option, see Vaping Hardware’s nic shot calculator.
How Many Shots Do I Add?
How Many Shots in 50ml Shortfill?
For a 50ml shortfill e liquid, one nic shot (18mg) equals ~3mg/ml, while two give ~6mg/ml. Some users even go higher, but flavour intensity drops beyond 12mg e liquid. This is why most stick to the sweet spot of 3mg nicotine for vape juice.
The common search query “50ml is how many shots?” is easily answered: one shot for 3mg, two for 6mg. Beyond that, you’d need to remove some liquid first. Many vapers use shots calculators to double-check before mixing.
How Many Shots in 100ml Vape Juice?
For a 100 ml vape juice, two shots create ~3mg/ml, while four shots make ~6mg/ml. If you’re wondering how to make 12mg e liquid, you’d need to add eight shots—though this means reducing some flavour.
UK vapers often use a juice price calculator to compare costs: mixing a 100ml shortfill with nicnic shots works out ~40% cheaper than buying premixed bottles. This saving makes DIY mixing a popular choice in the community.
You can also reference this nicotine strength guide for comparisons.
250ml in Shots: Bigger Bottles Explained
For 250ml in shots, five nicotine shots = ~3mg/ml, while ten = ~6mg/ml. Scaling up offers great value—using a cig calculator, vapers spending £10 on shots plus one short fill save over £50 monthly compared to disposables.
This format is popular among cloud chasers who prefer larger bottles with less frequent mixing. A good tip: always use a nic shot calculator before adding multiple shots at scale.
Nicotine Strengths Explained
How Much Nicotine is in Your Vape?
A 1mg nicotine vape is ultra-light, aimed at social or casual vapers. A 3mg ml in percent (~0.3%) is the go-to strength for sub-ohm vaping, offering smoothness without overpowering throat hit.
A 6mg nicotine vape is roughly equal to half a pack of cigarettes, answering the query “how many cigarettes is 6mg of nicotine?”. For heavy smokers, an 18mg e liquid provides the closest equivalent to a full pack.
When asking how many mg is 5 nicotine, the answer is simply 5mg/ml—a mid-range strength. Meanwhile, how much is 50 mg of nicotine? translates to 50mg/ml (5%), which is common in US-style disposables.
For further reading, see Truth Initiative’s nicotine fact sheet.
Nic Salts vs Freebase Nicotine Shots
Freebase nicotine shots (like 50/50 e liquid) deliver stronger throat hits but slower absorption. On the other hand, 60 40 vg pg nic salt formulas hit smoother and quicker, making them perfect for ex-smokers seeking faster satisfaction.
Example: If you want smoother hits, the Cola Ice Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts 10ml provides a refreshing vape while demonstrating how nic salts absorb almost twice as quickly as freebase. Many users report switching to salts helped them reduce cravings faster.
In Image: Cola Ice Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts 10ml
Tips for Mixing the Perfect Vape Hit
Using a Nicotine Calculator for Precision
Always use a nicotine calculator or nicotine for vape juice tool before pouring. Studies show nearly 70% of new vapers misjudge strength without an eliquid calculator, leading to harshness or weak mixes.
Does Adding Nic Shots Dilute Flavour?
Adding nicotine shots inevitably dilutes flavour and alters VG/PG ratios. While strong blends hold up well, delicate profiles weaken at high strengths. A popular option like Berry Watermelon Seriously Salty E-Liquid (Nic Salt) 10ml is known for retaining sweetness, even when added to shortfill e liquid.
In Image: Berry Watermelon Seriously Salty E-Liquid (Nic Salt) 10ml
Best Practices for Shortfill Mixing
Always shake thoroughly for even distribution. Many vapers recommend a steeping time of 20 minutes to a few hours for full flavour integration. If you’re not sure, run your numbers through a shots calculator before adding your nic fill.
For more practical tips, see Vape Superstore’s shortfill guide.
Benefits of Shortfill E Liquids
Why Vapers Choose Shortfills Over Pre-Mixed Juices
Shortfills provide flexibility to customise your mg juice while keeping costs lower. With a juice price calculator, many users report savings of up to 50% compared to disposable vapes.
For UK customers, VapeshopDirect.com offers premium shortfill e liquid bundles that let you control strength—whether you want a light 3mg vape or the stronger punch of 18 mg nicotine vape juice. Choosing shortfills here means variety, value, and quality guaranteed.
Community anecdotes suggest shortfills are now preferred by 7 out of 10 experienced vapers who value personalisation and cost-effectiveness over pre-mixed bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How to mix nic shot with shortfill?
A. Open the shortfill, add your nic shot, shake well, and let it steep for flavour integration. Using an eliquid calculator ensures you get the right strength.
Q. How to mix vape liquid and nicotine?
A. Use a nicotine calculator or shots calculator to measure before adding. Mixing without checking can lead to uneven mg juice levels and wasted flavour.
Q. How many nic shots do I add to 100ml?
A. Generally, two shots make 3mg and four make 6mg in a 100 ml vape juice. For higher strengths like 12mg e liquid, decanting liquid is necessary.
Q. Can you mix nic salts with nic shots?
A. Yes, but note the difference: nicotine shots (freebase) are harsher, while nic salts are smoother. Many users blend both for balance.
Q. How to make shortfill stronger?
A. To strengthen, add more nicnic shots or higher-strength 20mg nicotine shots, but remember flavour dilution is a trade-off.
Q. Can you vape straight nic shots?
A. No. Nicotine shots are too strong on their own (typically 18mg nicotine vape juice) and must always be diluted in a short fill.
Q. Do nic shots dilute flavour?
A. Yes, a little. Some blends (like strong menthols) mask it well, but softer flavours may weaken. A good tip is to use flavour-packed nic salts to balance.
Q. Can you vape without nicotine in a shortfill?
A. Absolutely—skip the nicotine shot and enjoy your shortfill e liquid as zero-nic. Many vapers prefer this for flavour enjoyment.
Conclusion
Mixing shortfills with nic shots offers the best of both worlds: flexibility and control. Whether you’re asking how many shots are in 50 ml or scaling up with 250ml in shots, the trick is to use an eliquid calculator or nic shot calculator for accuracy.
If you prefer salts, consider smoother blends like Blueberry Bar Juice E-Liquid (Nic Salt) 10ml, or if you’re chasing fruity zest, pair your favourite short fill with the best nic shot for your perfect vape hit.
