Free shortfill mixing tool
Nic Shot Calculator
Work out how many 10ml nic shots to add to a shortfill for the strength you want, or what strength you get from the shots you have.
Handle nic shots with care
A nic shot is concentrated nicotine. Keep it sealed and out of reach of children and pets, and wash it off straight away if it gets on your skin.
Adults only
Nicotine is addictive. Nic shots are for adults who already smoke or vape.
Work out your mix
The sums assume 10ml nic shots poured into a nicotine-free shortfill.
Nic shots in stock
For adults who already smoke or vape. Prices and stock are live.
How many nic shots do I need?
A 50ml shortfill comes in a 60ml bottle with room for one 10ml nic shot, and a 100ml shortfill comes in a 120ml bottle with room for two. With 18mg/ml shots that gives 3mg/ml either way: 1 shot in 50ml makes 60ml, and 2 shots in 100ml make 120ml.
The tables use the same sums as the calculator. Brackets show how much e-liquid you end up with.
Nic shots for 50ml and 100ml shortfills
| Strength you want | 50ml shortfill | 100ml shortfill |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5mg/ml (0.15%) | 0.5 shots (55ml) | 0.9 shots (109ml) |
| 3mg/ml (0.3%) | 1 shot (60ml) | 2 shots (120ml) |
| 6mg/ml (0.6%) | 2.5 shots (75ml, bigger bottle) | 5 shots (150ml, bigger bottle) |
| 10mg/ml (1%) | 6.3 shots (113ml, bigger bottle) | 12.5 shots (225ml, bigger bottle) |
| 12mg/ml (1.2%) | 10 shots (150ml, bigger bottle) | 20 shots (300ml, bigger bottle) |
| Strength you want | 50ml shortfill | 100ml shortfill |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5mg/ml (0.15%) | 0.4 shots (54ml) | 0.8 shots (108ml) |
| 3mg/ml (0.3%) | 0.9 shots (59ml) | 1.8 shots (118ml) |
| 6mg/ml (0.6%) | 2.1 shots (71ml, bigger bottle) | 4.3 shots (143ml, bigger bottle) |
| 10mg/ml (1%) | 5 shots (100ml, bigger bottle) | 10 shots (200ml, bigger bottle) |
| 12mg/ml (1.2%) | 7.5 shots (125ml, bigger bottle) | 15 shots (250ml, bigger bottle) |
A mix marked "bigger bottle" will not fit in the shortfill bottle, so it has to be mixed in a larger one. Above 3mg/ml it is usually simpler to buy 10ml e-liquids made at the strength you want.
What strength do nic shots give?
Each extra shot raises the strength by less than the one before, because it also adds 10ml of liquid.
| Shots added | In 50ml | In 100ml |
|---|---|---|
| 1 shot | 3mg/ml (60ml) | 1.6mg/ml (110ml) |
| 2 shots | 5.1mg/ml (70ml, bigger bottle) | 3mg/ml (120ml) |
| 3 shots | 6.8mg/ml (80ml, bigger bottle) | 4.2mg/ml (130ml, bigger bottle) |
| 4 shots | 8mg/ml (90ml, bigger bottle) | 5.1mg/ml (140ml, bigger bottle) |
| 5 shots | 9mg/ml (100ml, bigger bottle) | 6mg/ml (150ml, bigger bottle) |
| Shots added | In 50ml | In 100ml |
|---|---|---|
| 1 shot | 3.3mg/ml (60ml) | 1.8mg/ml (110ml) |
| 2 shots | 5.7mg/ml (70ml, bigger bottle) | 3.3mg/ml (120ml) |
| 3 shots | 7.5mg/ml (80ml, bigger bottle) | 4.6mg/ml (130ml, bigger bottle) |
| 4 shots | 8.9mg/ml (90ml, bigger bottle) | 5.7mg/ml (140ml, bigger bottle) |
| 5 shots | 10mg/ml (100ml, bigger bottle) | 6.7mg/ml (150ml, bigger bottle) |
How the sums work
A 10ml nic shot at 18mg/ml holds 180mg of nicotine. Mixing spreads that nicotine through the whole bottle, so the strength is the nicotine you add divided by the volume you end up with.
Strength in mg/ml = shots × 10 × shot strength ÷ (shortfill ml + shots × 10).
Want to compare a strength with cigarettes? Use the vape to cigarette calculator.
Nic shot questions
How many nic shots for 100ml to make 3mg?
2 shots of 18mg/ml. That makes 120ml at 3mg/ml, which is exactly the room a 100ml shortfill bottle has.
How many nic shots for 100ml to make 6mg?
5 shots of 18mg/ml, which makes 150ml. The 120ml bottle only has room for 2, so you would need a larger bottle to mix it in.
How many nic shots for 100ml to make 10mg or 20mg?
10mg/ml would take 12.5 shots of 18mg/ml and make 225ml, which is not practical. 20mg/ml cannot be made at all: nic shots are 20mg/ml at most and mixing always dilutes them. For strengths like these, choose nic salt e-liquids sold at that strength.
What is a nic shot?
A 10ml bottle of nicotine liquid, usually unflavoured and 18mg/ml or 20mg/ml, made to be poured into a shortfill. One 18mg/ml shot holds 180mg of nicotine.
Why do shortfills come without nicotine?
UK rules limit e-liquid that contains nicotine to 10ml bottles of up to 20mg/ml. Larger bottles are sold nicotine-free, with space left for shots.
How do I add a nic shot?
Take the cap and nozzle off the shortfill, pour in the shot, refit both and shake well for a minute or two. Let it settle before you vape it.
Can I use nic salt shots?
Yes. The sums are the same. A salt shot feels smoother on the throat at the same strength.
Does a nic shot change the flavour?
A little. One shot in a 50ml shortfill thins the flavour by about a sixth, and shortfills are blended with that in mind. A shot with a VG ratio close to your liquid keeps the vapour the same.