A shortfill is a big bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid that is deliberately under-filled, so you can add your own nicotine. It is the cheapest way to vape in volume, and once you know the trick it takes about ten seconds.
The short version
- Shortfills are 0mg, which is why they can be sold bigger than 10ml.
- 50ml bottles have room for one 10ml nic shot, 100ml bottles usually two.
- One 18mg shot in 50ml gives 3mg. Two in 100ml also gives 3mg.
- Most are 70/30 VG/PG, so they suit sub-ohm tanks rather than tight MTL pods.
The short answer
UK law caps any nicotine-containing e-liquid refill bottle at 10ml. Shortfills get around that neatly: the liquid inside contains no nicotine at all, so the 10ml rule does not apply. Manufacturers fill a 60ml bottle with 50ml of flavoured liquid, or a 120ml bottle with 100ml, and leave the gap empty.
That gap is the whole point. You pour in one or two unflavoured 10ml nicotine shots, shake, and end up with a big bottle at a low strength, usually around 3mg. Vape it at 0mg if you prefer, nobody is checking.
Browse the range under e-liquids and you will spot shortfills by the 50ml or 100ml size in the name.
Shortfill vs 10ml bottles
Shortfills and 10ml bottles are not really rivals, they are built for different people. A 10ml bottle comes ready to vape at the strength you pick, usually in 50/50 or as a nic salt. It suits pod kits and anyone who wants high nicotine without mixing.
A shortfill is cheaper per ml, comes in a far wider spread of dessert, fruit and menthol flavours, and is normally 70/30 because it is designed for sub-ohm tanks. The trade-off is strength: the most you can comfortably reach is around 3mg to 6mg, which is too low for many MTL pod users.
What it costs per ml
This is where shortfills earn their place. A 50ml shortfill from a value range such as 50 Large Kiwimelon is £7.99. Add a 99p nic shot and you have 60ml for £8.98, which is about 15p per ml. A 100ml premium bottle at £15.99 plus two shots lands in the same place.
A typical 10ml freebase bottle at £3.99 works out at about 40p per ml. Premium 100ml shortfills cost more upfront but the maths still usually lands well under the 10ml price. If you get through more than a couple of millilitres a day, the saving adds up fast.
Figures below use real shop prices; your own will vary with brand and offers. Shop the full shortfill range to compare.
Source: Spectrum Vaping shelf prices; offers change.
Using one in four moves
Mixing sounds technical but it is less effort than making a cup of tea. You need the shortfill, the right number of nic shots and about thirty seconds. The nozzle on most shortfills pulls off with a firm twist or a gentle lever with a thumbnail, which makes pouring the shot in much tidier. Do it over a sheet of kitchen roll, on a flat surface, and keep the shot's cap somewhere you will find it again.
Our step-by-step on adding a nic shot covers the fiddly bits, including what to do when the nozzle will not budge.
- Pop the nozzlePull or lever the dropper tip off the shortfill bottle.
- Add the shotEmpty one 10ml nic shot in (two for most 100ml bottles).
- Cap and shakeRefit the nozzle, cap it, and shake hard for 30 seconds.
- Label itWrite the final strength on the bottle so you do not forget.
Will it work in your kit?
Most shortfills are 70/30 VG/PG or thicker. That is perfect for a sub-ohm tank with coils at 0.15 to 0.4 ohm, where wide wicking holes drink thick liquid happily. It is less happy in a small pen or pod with a 1.0 ohm coil, which struggles to soak liquid that thick.
Some brands sell 50/50 shortfills, and some pods with 0.6 ohm mesh coils cope with 70/30 fine. If yours burns or tastes muted after a day, the liquid is probably too thick for it. Answer below to check, and if the answer is no, our 50/50 range is the place to look.
What resistance is your coil?
A shortfill is ideal. Run it at 0mg to 3mg in a sub-ohm tank.
Look for a 50/50 shortfill, or use 10ml bottles and nic salts instead. 70/30 will probably give dry hits.
Shortfill mistakes to avoid
A few habits catch people out with big bottles. The most common is forgetting how many shots went in and ending up with a bottle at mystery strength. The second is using a 100ml shortfill with a single shot and wondering why it feels so mild: that works out at about 1.6mg.
The third is leaving the nozzle off and the bottle in a sunny window, which darkens the liquid and dulls the flavour. Nicotine is addictive and toxic if swallowed, so cap everything and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Tick these off before you start.
Quick answers
Can you vape a shortfill without a nic shot?
Yes. It is a complete, flavoured e-liquid at 0mg. Adding a shot simply adds nicotine and dilutes the flavour slightly.
Why are shortfills not full?
The gap leaves room for nicotine shots. UK law limits nicotine e-liquid bottles to 10ml, so the nicotine is sold separately.
How many nic shots go in a 100ml shortfill?
Usually two, giving about 3mg. Check the bottle: most 100ml shortfills come in a 120ml bottle.
Are shortfills good for pod kits?
Only if your pod has a low resistance coil. Tight MTL pods usually work better with 50/50 10ml bottles or nic salts.
