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The short answer: A shortfill is a nicotine-free e-liquid sold in a bottle larger than its fill volume — typically 80ml of liquid in a 100ml bottle — leaving 20ml of empty space for you to add a nicotine shot. Once you add the shot and shake, you have a full 100ml bottle of e-liquid at your chosen nicotine strength. No measuring, no mixing equipment, no complicated process.

What Is a Shortfill E-Liquid?

A shortfill e-liquid is a flavoured, nicotine-free vape juice sold in a larger-than-needed bottle. The "short" in shortfill refers to the bottle being only partially filled — intentionally.

The most common format is:

• 80ml of e-liquid in a 100ml PET bottle
• The remaining 20ml of space is left empty for a nicotine shot
• The e-liquid itself contains zero nicotine

This format became the standard for larger e-liquid bottles because regulations in many markets cap the size of nicotine-containing e-liquid bottles at 10ml. By selling the flavoured base nicotine-free in a larger bottle, manufacturers can offer 100ml of e-liquid while staying compliant — buyers simply add their own nicotine shot separately.

The VG 80ml Shortfill is an unflavoured vegetable glycerin base, which makes it a versatile option for vapers who want to mix their own nicotine strength into a clean, flavour-neutral liquid — or blend it with flavour concentrates.

What Does VG Mean?

VG stands for vegetable glycerin — one of the two main carrier liquids used in e-liquid, alongside PG (propylene glycol).

An 80ml VG shortfill is a high-VG base — meaning the finished e-liquid will produce good vapour volume and a smooth hit. It suits sub-ohm tanks and direct-lung devices best. If you use an MTL pod system, a higher-PG shortfill or a thinner base may suit your device better.

What Is a Nicotine Shot?

A nicotine shot (nic shot) is a small bottle — typically 10ml or 15ml — of unflavoured nicotine liquid. It contains nicotine suspended in a VG or PG base with no flavour added. Its only purpose is to add nicotine to a shortfill.

Common nic shot types:

• Salt nicotine (VG or PG) — smoother hit, faster absorption, best for pods and MTL
• Freebase nicotine (VG or PG) — stronger throat hit, slower absorption, best for sub-ohm

For a VG shortfill, a VG-based nic shot is the best match — it keeps the base ratio consistent and does not thin the liquid or change the vapour production.

How to Add a Nicotine Shot to a Shortfill: Step by Step

Step 1 — Check the empty space in your shortfill bottle

Your 80ml shortfill comes in a 100ml bottle with roughly 20ml of air space at the top. This space is reserved for the nic shot. Do not top up the bottle with anything before adding the shot.

Step 2 — Open the shortfill bottle

Unscrew the child-resistant cap and remove the inner nozzle insert if there is one. Set both aside — you will need to replace them afterwards.

Step 3 — Open your nicotine shot

Unscrew or puncture the seal on your nic shot bottle. Some bottles have a foil seal under the cap that needs a pin or the cap's own spike to open.

Step 4 — Squeeze the nic shot into the shortfill

Hold the shortfill bottle upright and squeeze the entire nic shot into it. The 15ml shot is sized to fit the 20ml gap — the liquid level will rise but should stay comfortably below the bottle neck. Do not overfill.

Step 5 — Replace the nozzle and cap

Reinsert the inner nozzle and screw the cap back on firmly before shaking. A loose cap during shaking will make a mess.

Step 6 — Shake for 30 seconds

Shake the bottle vigorously for at least 30 seconds. This distributes the nicotine evenly through the e-liquid. Skipping this step leaves the nicotine unevenly mixed — the first few fills from the bottle will be weaker and the last few will be stronger.

Step 7 — Wait 5 to 10 minutes before vaping

Set the bottle down and wait. VG is a thick liquid and needs a few minutes to fully integrate with the nic shot base. Vaping immediately after mixing can produce a slightly uneven or harsh first fill. Five to ten minutes makes a real difference.

How Much Nicotine Will the Finished Bottle Contain?

The final nicotine strength depends on the concentration of your nic shot and how many shots you add. As a general guide using a standard 18mg nic shot:

For most sub-ohm vapers, a finished strength of 2mg to 6mg is the typical target range. Pod system users and MTL vapers generally prefer higher strengths — 10mg to 20mg — which requires higher-concentration salt nic shots rather than freebase.

What Is the 100ml PET Bottle?

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate — the same material used in plastic water bottles. It is:

• Safe for e-liquid storage — does not leach chemicals into the liquid
• Squeezable — easy to fill tanks and pods without a syringe
• Resistant to nicotine oxidation — better than glass for everyday storage
• Recyclable — the standard format for responsible e-liquid packaging

The 100ml PET bottle is the industry standard for shortfill e-liquids. The size is practical for carrying, the material is compatible with all e-liquid formulas, and the child-resistant cap meets safety requirements for nicotine-adjacent products.

Shortfill vs Longfill: What Is the Difference?

You may also see longfill e-liquids — these work on the same principle but are sold as a concentrated flavour base in a larger bottle, designed for more nic shots or more significant dilution.

For most vapers, a shortfill is the simpler and more beginner-friendly format. Longfills offer more control and better value per ml but require a bit more calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add a nicotine shot to a shortfill? No. A shortfill can be vaped as-is with zero nicotine. Some vapers intentionally use nicotine-free e-liquid, either as part of quitting nicotine gradually or simply by preference. The empty space in the bottle just means you have a slightly underfilled 100ml bottle.

Can I add more than one nic shot to a shortfill? Yes, with some caveats. Adding two 10ml shots to an 80ml shortfill gives you a full 100ml at approximately double the nicotine strength. Adding two 15ml shots slightly overfills the bottle — you can either decant some liquid first or accept a slightly overfull bottle.

Does the nicotine shot flavour the e-liquid? No. Nicotine shots are unflavoured by design. The AuNic VG nicotine shot, for example, adds no taste to the shortfill — only nicotine strength. The final flavour is entirely determined by the shortfill e-liquid itself.

How should I store a mixed shortfill? Keep it in a cool, dark place — a drawer or cupboard away from sunlight and heat. Nicotine oxidises over time, especially when exposed to light and air. A properly stored, mixed shortfill keeps well for up to six months.

Is a VG shortfill safe to use in any vape device? High-VG e-liquid works best in sub-ohm tanks and direct-lung pod systems with mesh coils. In MTL devices or pod systems with small coil apertures, thick VG can struggle to wick properly and may cause dry hits. Always check your device's recommended VG/PG ratio before filling.

Final Verdict

A shortfill e-liquid is simply a large, nicotine-free e-liquid bottle with space left for a nic shot. The VG 80ml Shortfill in a 100ml PET bottle is the most common format in the market — and for good reason. It is affordable, straightforward to mix, and lets you choose exactly how much nicotine ends up in your e-liquid. Follow the seven steps above, shake well, wait a few minutes, and you have a perfectly mixed bottle ready to vape.