What Is Shortfill E-Liquid? How to Use It
If you've walked into a vape shop and seen a 50ml bottle that only has liquid filled to about the 80% mark, you've seen a shortfill. It looks underfilled because it is — deliberately. That gap at the top isn't a mistake; it's how the UK manages to sell larger volumes of e-liquid legally.
This guide explains exactly what a shortfill is, why it exists, how to use one, and whether it's the right choice for your device and vaping style.
What's in this guide
What Is a Shortfill E-Liquid?
A shortfill is a large-format e-liquid — typically 50ml or 100ml — that contains no nicotine and is sold in a bottle larger than its contents. The most common format is 50ml of liquid in a 60ml bottle. The 10ml gap at the top exists for one reason: to let you add a nicotine shot.
The liquid itself is exactly the same as any other e-liquid — a blend of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavouring, and sometimes additives. The only difference is the absence of nicotine and the deliberately oversized bottle.
Shortfill = large nicotine-free e-liquid bottle with a gap left at the top so you can add a separate nicotine shot to reach your preferred strength.
Why Shortfills Exist: UK Law Explained
Shortfills are a direct response to UK regulation. Under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR), any e-liquid that contains nicotine must be sold in bottles no larger than 10ml. The regulation exists to limit nicotine exposure and child safety risks.
This created a problem for vapers who prefer larger volumes — constantly buying 10ml bottles is inconvenient and expensive. The shortfill format solved this by selling larger quantities of e-liquid without nicotine, which falls outside the 10ml restriction entirely.
The nic shot — a 10ml bottle of nicotine base at 18mg or 20mg — is sold separately and also falls within the 10ml limit. When you combine them, you end up with a nicotine-containing e-liquid at a volume that couldn't legally be sold pre-mixed.
It is a legal workaround, but one that is fully permitted and widely used throughout the UK market. Every major UK e-liquid brand sells shortfills.
What Is a Nicotine Shot (Nic Shot)?
A nicotine shot — often called a nic shot or booster shot — is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine base. It typically comes in two strengths:
- 18mg/ml — the standard UK nic shot
- 20mg/ml — a slightly stronger option for heavy smokers
Nic shots are usually sold as either a freebase nicotine base or a salt nicotine base. Freebase nic shots are far more common and work well with the high-VG shortfill liquids they're designed for.
The flavour of the nic shot itself is neutral — it won't alter the taste of your shortfill noticeably. After mixing, the only change is the nicotine level.
How to Use a Shortfill Step by Step
- Remove the nozzle and cap from your shortfill bottle.
- Open the nic shot and remove its cap.
- Squeeze the entire nic shot into the shortfill bottle. Don't leave any behind.
- Replace the nozzle and cap on the shortfill bottle.
- Shake firmly for 30–60 seconds to mix the nicotine base throughout the liquid.
- Leave to steep for 5–10 minutes before filling your tank. Some vapers prefer to leave it a few hours for the flavour to fully settle back in.
Nicotine is absorbed through the skin. If you spill nic shot on your hands, wash them immediately with soap and water. Keep nicotine shots and all e-liquid away from children and pets.
What Strength Will You End Up With?
The maths is straightforward. Adding one 10ml nic shot at 18mg to a 50ml shortfill produces approximately 3mg/ml in the finished 60ml bottle. Here is a full reference table:
| Shortfill Size | Bottle Size | Nic Shots | Nic Shot Strength | Finished Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50ml | 60ml | 1 x 10ml | 18mg | ~3mg/ml |
| 50ml | 60ml | 1 x 10ml | 20mg | ~3.3mg/ml |
| 100ml | 120ml | 2 x 10ml | 18mg | ~3mg/ml |
| 100ml | 120ml | 2 x 10ml | 20mg | ~3.3mg/ml |
| 50ml | 70ml | 2 x 10ml | 18mg | ~5.1mg/ml |
Most shortfill vapers end up at 3mg. This is intentional — the format is designed for sub-ohm vaping where you inhale larger volumes of vapour per puff, so a lower concentration still delivers a satisfying amount of nicotine overall. Read our nicotine strength guide for a full breakdown of how to choose your level.
Shortfill vs Nic Salt: Which Is Right for You?
These two formats serve very different types of vaper. The choice usually comes down to your device and how you vape:
| Shortfill | Nic Salt | |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine strength | ~3mg (after mixing) | 10mg or 20mg |
| VG/PG ratio | 70VG/30PG or higher | 50/50 typically |
| Best device | Sub-ohm tank, mesh kit | Pod kit, MTL tank |
| Vapour production | Large clouds | Moderate, discreet |
| Throat hit | Smooth, low | Smooth to moderate |
| Cost per ml | Lower | Higher |
| Suitable for beginners? | Not usually | Yes |
If you're new to vaping or switching from cigarettes, a nic salt in a pod kit is almost always the better starting point. Shortfills suit experienced vapers who already own a sub-ohm device and want more liquid for less money.
For a deeper look at how VG/PG ratios affect which format works in which device, see our PG vs VG guide.
Popular Shortfill Brands at UK Vape World
All of the following are stocked at UK Vape World and are MHRA-registered:
Dinner Lady
The Lancashire brand behind the legendary Lemon Tart also produces some of the best shortfills in the UK. Their 70VG/30PG shortfills — including Lemon Tart, Strawberry Custard, and Apple Sour — are among the most consistent and widely praised in the market.
Nasty Juice
Malaysian-born but MHRA-registered for the UK market, Nasty Juice shortfills are known for complex, layered flavour profiles. Trap Queen (raspberry, red apple, pomegranate) and Vanilla Custard are standout options for sub-ohm vapers who want something more than a single-note fruit.
IVG (I Vape Great)
A UK brand with one of the widest shortfill ranges available. IVG shortfills cover fruit, dessert, menthol, and tobacco flavour categories. Their Heisenberg (blue raspberry, menthol, aniseed) shortfill is a perennial best-seller. See our full IVG e-liquid review for the complete range breakdown.
Pukka Juice
Handcrafted in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Pukka Juice shortfills are made in small batches and use high-grade ingredients. The range is smaller than some competitors but the quality ceiling is high — particularly the Bubblegum and Tropical shortfills. Read our Pukka Juice review for more.
Vampire Vape
Vampire Vape's Heisenberg shortfill is one of the longest-running best-sellers in UK vaping. It's a complex, cooling blue-fruit blend that's hard to describe and easy to become loyal to. Their tobacco and menthol shortfills are also well-regarded.
View our full shortfill e-liquid collection — all products are MHRA-registered, age-verified via AgeCheck.com, and available for next-day delivery across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
A shortfill is a large-format e-liquid (usually 50ml or 100ml) that contains no nicotine and is sold in an oversized bottle. The space at the top is left deliberately so you can add a separate nicotine shot. Shortfills exist because UK law limits nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles to 10ml — selling a larger, nicotine-free bottle gets around this restriction legally.
Remove the cap and nozzle from both bottles, squeeze the entire nic shot into the shortfill, replace the cap, and shake firmly for 30–60 seconds. Leave it a few minutes before vaping. One standard 18mg nic shot added to a 50ml shortfill gives you approximately 3mg/ml in the finished 60ml.
Generally not. Shortfills are high-VG liquids (70VG/30PG or higher) designed for sub-ohm tanks and mesh coils. High-VG liquid is too thick to wick properly in most pod kits and can cause dry hits or burned coils. For pod kits, use a 50/50 nic salt instead.
A short steep of 5–10 minutes after mixing is recommended to let the nicotine distribute evenly. Some vapers prefer to leave shortfills for several hours or overnight after mixing, claiming the flavour settles more fully. In practice, for most shortfills the difference is minimal — a good shake and a few minutes rest is sufficient to vape immediately.
One 10ml nic shot at 18mg added to a 50ml shortfill gives approximately 3mg/ml in the finished 60ml. Two shots added to a 100ml shortfill (in a 120ml bottle) gives the same 3mg/ml. These are the two most common configurations. For 6mg, you would need a different ratio — most brands design their bottles for 3mg as the target strength.
More From Our E-Liquids Guide
Vaping products are for adults aged 18 and over. UK Vape World uses AgeCheck.com for age verification on all purchases. All e-liquids are MHRA-registered and comply with UK Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR). Handle nicotine shots with care — wash hands after contact and keep away from children and pets.
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