Vape juice and nicotine shot calculator
Enter only the values printed on commercially packaged shortfill and nicotine-shot labels.
Calculated result
| Whole-shot option | Shots | Added volume | Final volume | Final nicotine |
|---|
Quick answer: This calculator combines the labelled values from a zero-nicotine shortfill and commercially packaged nicotine shots. It returns final liquid volume, final nicotine concentration in mg/ml and the volume-weighted PG/VG ratio, or calculates the shot volume required for a target entered by the user.
It does not recommend a nicotine target, assess personal suitability, or cover pure or concentrated nicotine. The 20 mg/ml input ceiling is a scope guardrail aligned with the cited UK and EU consumer-product rules; it is not a universal legal limit outside those jurisdictions.
Official FDA, CDC/NIOSH, UK and EU source paths rechecked July 21, 2026. Use the exact values on the packaged product label; this page performs arithmetic and does not replace exposure, medical or legal guidance.
How the calculator works
Forward mode multiplies the number of shots by each shot's labelled volume and nicotine strength, then divides the total nicotine mass by the final combined volume. PG and VG are calculated separately as volume-weighted components. Reverse mode solves the same concentration equation for the shot volume required by the entered target.
| Calculation | Formula | Required condition |
|---|---|---|
| Forward final strength | (shot count x shot ml x shot mg/ml) / final ml | Shot strength must be 0-20 mg/ml and the shot count must be whole. |
| Reverse shot volume | (target mg/ml x shortfill ml) / (shot mg/ml - target mg/ml) | The target must be lower than the shot strength. |
| Final PG or VG | Total component ml / final ml | Each entered PG/VG pair must total 100%. |
The calculator uses arithmetic, not a laboratory measurement. Label tolerances, unlisted carrier ratios, residual liquid, incomplete transfer, bottle markings, and user input can change the real mixture. If a required label value is missing, do not guess it.
Illustrative examples
These examples illustrate the formula; they are not nicotine-target recommendations.
| Mode | Entered labels | Arithmetic result |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | 50 ml zero-nic shortfill at 30/70 PG/VG plus one 10 ml, 20 mg/ml shot at 50/50 | 60 ml total, 3.33 mg/ml, approximately 33.3/66.7 PG/VG |
| Reverse | 50 ml zero-nic shortfill at 30/70, 20 mg/ml shots of 10 ml at 50/50, requested arithmetic target 3 mg/ml | 8.82 ml or 0.88 shot equivalent; the exact target is not reachable using only whole 10 ml bottles |
Scope and safety limits
- This tool is for labelled, commercially packaged nicotine shots and zero-nicotine shortfills only.
- It rejects shot strengths above 20 mg/ml and does not cover pure or concentrated nicotine.
- It does not recommend a nicotine target, provide medical advice, or determine whether a product or use is lawful where you live.
- The UK guidance and EU directive cited below set consumer-product limits in their respective frameworks. Those limits must not be copied to other jurisdictions as universal law.
- Keep e-liquids in their original containers and away from children and pets. Follow the product label and current local guidance.
FDA warns that nicotine-containing e-liquid can harm children through ingestion or contact and provides US Poison Control instructions for accidental exposure. CDC/NIOSH identifies inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, and mucous membranes as exposure routes for nicotine. Use the official emergency guidance below rather than relying on this calculator during an exposure incident.
Official sources
- FDA: store e-liquids and prevent accidental exposure
- CDC/NIOSH: Nicotine emergency-response card
- UK: e-cigarette regulations for consumer products
- EU Directive 2014/40/EU
FAQ
What does the vape juice calculator calculate?
In forward mode it calculates final liquid volume, final nicotine concentration in mg/ml, and the volume-weighted PG/VG ratio from a zero-nicotine shortfill and packaged shots. In reverse mode it calculates the shot volume and shot-equivalent count needed for a requested target, then flags targets that cannot be reached with a whole number of the selected shot size.
Why must the target be lower than the shot strength?
A zero-nicotine shortfill can only dilute the labelled shot strength. In the reverse formula, a target equal to or above the shot strength makes the required shot-volume calculation undefined or impossible, so the calculator rejects it.
How is the final PG/VG ratio calculated?
The calculator converts each liquid's PG and VG percentages into component volumes, adds the shortfill and shot components, and divides each total by the final liquid volume. It does not assume that every shot has the same carrier ratio.
What if the reverse result is not a whole number of shots?
The calculator shows the exact shot-equivalent result and states that the target is not reachable with whole shots of the selected size. It also shows the nicotine concentrations produced by the nearest lower and upper whole-shot counts so the arithmetic is transparent.
Is 20 mg/ml a universal limit?
No. This calculator uses 20 mg/ml as a product-scope guardrail aligned with the cited UK consumer-product guidance and EU Directive 2014/40/EU. It does not state that the same limit applies in every country or determine whether a product or use is permitted locally.
Does the calculator recommend a nicotine target?
No. It performs arithmetic from the values entered and does not select a target, assess personal suitability, or provide medical advice. Use the exact product label and current guidance for your location.