What does the miiligram rating of nicotine ACTUALLY mean?

[GnerpinLamblechop]

So, for instance - a 10ml bottle of 18mg nicotine shot...? What does that actually mean?

I got into DIY a couple of weeks ago. I have used an online vaping calculator but I don't know how it calculates nicotine. I'm just putting in what it tells me to, but I don't understand how these numbers are reached. I think it would be useful to go right back to basics.

So how do you use the number 18 in the maths to get 6mg into... whatever amount? How does that work?

I literally have no clue what I'm doing.

 

[Mitz]

It's 18mg of nicotine per ml of liquid. A 10ml bottle of 18mg contains 180mg of nicotine.

If you add more nicotine free liquid then just divide the total nicotine content by the ml.

For example: you add 10ml of nicotine free liquid to a 10ml 18mg nicotine shot. You have 180mg of nicotine and 20ml of liquid. 180mg divided by 20ml = 20ml of 9mg liquid. Add another 10ml of nicotine free liquid and you have 180mg nicotine and 30ml of liquid. 180mg divided by 30ml = 30ml of 6mg.

 

[GnerpinLamblechop]

It's 18mg of nicotine per ml of liquid. A 10ml bottle of 18mg contains 180mg of nicotine.

If you add more nicotine free liquid then just divide the total nicotine content by the ml.

For example: you add 10ml of nicotine free liquid to a 10ml 18mg nicotine shot. You have 180mg of nicotine and 20ml of liquid. 180mg divided by 20ml = 20ml of 9mg liquid. Add another 10ml of nicotine free liquid and you have 180mg nicotine and 30ml of liquid. 180mg divided by 30ml = 30ml of 6mg.

Thank you. I understand that. I basically put a 0 on the end of the nicotine level then, to know how much is in 10ml? Got it. Then divide that number by the total amount of juice.
So now, how do I calculate how much PG and VG I need for a given ratio (ie: 40 PG/ 60 VG) given the weight differences between the two liquids?
And how do I factor in the nicotine content and flavour percentage?
What does that equation look like?

 

[Mitz]

Thank you. I understand that. I basically put a 0 on the end of the nicotine level then, to know how much is in 10ml.
So now, how do I calculate how much PG and VG I need for a given ratio (ie: 40 PG/ 60 VG) given the weight differences between the two liquids?
And how do I factor in the nicotine content and flavour percentage?
What does that equation look like?

Most people use a calculator to work that stuff out. There's lots of them and others will probably recommend their favourites, but this is an example of the kind of calculator that most DIY mixers use to work out their ratios.

E-Liquid Calculator - Best DIY Vape E-Juice Calculator

The best e-liquid calculator for mixing vape juice by weight or volume. Input the base ratio and nic strength you would like to make, and get instant results.

makemyvape.co.uk

 

[MrDJ]

the easiest way i can explain it for shortfills anyway, not diy.
this is freebase nic but similar calculations for nic salts but they are usually 20mg

if you vape low wattage mouth to lung then 50/50 final mix is best.
if you vape higher wattage direct to lung then these are best at 70vg 30pg

1 nic shot vaped will give you 18mg strength.
when added to zero juice it will dilute the strength.

adding 1 nic shot to 50ml of zero nicotine liquid will make 60ml of 3mg nicotine strength
same for 100ml of zero adding 2 nic shots will make 120ml of 3mg strength.

shortfills were designed for direct to lung sub ohm vaping at higher wattage so lower strength nicotine.
to make the above 6mg strength you need to add double the amount of nic shots but then they will not fit in standard shortfill bottles.
so 50ml zero add 2 nicshots will make 70ml of 6mg strength
100ml zero add 4 nicshots will make 140ml of 6mg strength

 

[GnerpinLamblechop]

Most people use a calculator to work that stuff out. There's lots of them and others will probably recommend their favourites, but this is an example of the kind of calculator that most DIY mixers use...

E-Liquid Calculator - Best DIY Vape E-Juice Calculator

The best e-liquid calculator for mixing vape juice by weight or volume. Input the base ratio and nic strength you would like to make, and get instant results.

makemyvape.co.uk

I want to know how to work it out manually, if possible. I've had varied results using different calculators. I need to know the process of the maths behind the calculator.

 

[hack400]

I want to know how to work it out manually, if possible. I've had varied results using different calculators. I need to know the process of the maths behind the calculator.

The ratio is based on volume. To calculate the volume, divide the total weight of VG by 1.27 and the total weight of PG by 1.04.

You’ll then have the total volume of VG and PG and can calculate the ratios.

VG ratio = (VG volume / (VG + PG volume)) * 100
PG ratio = (PG volume / (VG + PG volume)) * 100

 

[Mitz]

I want to know how to work it out manually, if possible. I've had varied results using different calculators. I need to know the process of the maths behind the calculator.

Okay, been a while since I DIYed, but I'll give it a go.

So your total ratio is always going to be 100%. Mostly it just depends on if your nic shots are PG or VG based and also your flavours.

Let's say for example that you want to make 60ml of 30pg/70vg liquid at 6mg with 5% flavouring that's PG based and you're using 18mg VG nic shots. 30% of 60ml is 18 so you want 18ml of PG and 70% of 60ml is 42 so you'll need 42ml of VG. Two 18mg nic shots will have a total nicotine content of 360mg so when diluted to 60ml it will be 6mg. The flavouring is 5% of 60ml so that's 3ml. If you use the two VG nic shots that's 20ml of VG. So to get to your 42ml you'll need to add a further 22ml of VG. Then you just need the 18ml of PG. The flavour is PG and makes up 3ml so you just need to add an additional 15ml of PG. Then you'll have 60ml of 30/70 6mg liquid.


Edit: Just saw hack's post above. I've never mixed by weight so he'll be far better equipped to help you in that regard.

 

[DMAN]

I find it easier to measure by volume. I have good quality lab beakers in various sizes.

 

[hack400]

Edit: Just saw hack's post above. I've never mixed by weight so he'll be far better equipped to help you in that regard.

I've never mixed by weight either, I just converted from weight to volume as that's how the ratio is calculated anyway