Vaping glossary
The vocabulary of vaping, explained simply
Pod, ohm, PG/VG, booster, dry hit… Here are the most commonly used words, in alphabetical order. Where useful, each definition links to a more complete guide.
Airflow
A setting or opening that controls the air intake. The more open it is, the airier the draw.
Aroma
The component that gives an e-liquid its flavor. See how to choose your flavor.
Atomizer (or clearomizer)
The part of the e-cigarette that holds the liquid tank and the coil.
Base
A mix of PG and VG, without aroma, that serves as the carrier of the e-liquid.
Battery (accu)
A rechargeable battery. Depending on the equipment, it is built into the device or removable (for example an 18650 or 21700 cell). See how to charge your e-cigarette properly.
Cartridge
The removable tank of a pod. It can be refillable or pre-filled, and often includes the coil. See how to maintain your pod.
Coil (resistance)
The heating part that vaporizes the e-liquid. It wears out over time. See when to change the coil and how to change it.
Direct lung inhale (DL)
You inhale the vapor directly into the lungs. It generally goes with an airier draw, lower resistance coils and e-liquids richer in VG.
Dry hit
A burnt taste when inhaling, when the coil is not soaked enough with liquid. See why does my e-cigarette taste burnt.
E-liquid
The liquid vaporized by the e-cigarette. It is made of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavorings and, depending on the case, nicotine. See all our e-liquids.
Freebase
The form of nicotine used in most e-liquids, as opposed to nicotine salts.
Hit
The sensation felt in the throat when inhaling. It depends in particular on the nicotine strength, the PG/VG ratio and the equipment.
Indirect (mouth-to-lung) inhale (MTL)
You first keep the vapor in your mouth before inhaling it. It generally goes with a tight draw, coils above about 1 Ω and e-liquids richer in PG.
Mix & Vape
An e-liquid in a large bottle sold without nicotine, designed to receive one or more boosters.
mg/mL
The unit that expresses nicotine strength: milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid. See which nicotine strength to choose.
Nicotine booster
A small bottle of PG/VG base with a set nicotine strength (for example 10 mL at 20 mg/mL), poured into a nicotine-free e-liquid to reach the strength you want. See the 50 mL and boosters guide and the calculator.
Nicotine salts
Nicotine combined with an acid, generally perceived as smoother in the throat at the same strength. See nicotine salts: what is the difference?
Ohm (Ω)
The unit of electrical resistance. The value in ohms of a coil determines the suitable power and the type of inhale. See which coil to choose.
PG, VG and PG/VG
PG (propylene glycol) is a thin liquid that carries aromas well and gives the throat hit. VG (vegetable glycerin) is thicker and produces more vapor. The PG/VG ratio shows how they are split. See the PG/VG guide.
Pod
A compact e-cigarette that works with a cartridge. See pod or e-cigarette: which one to choose?
Power (watts)
The energy supplied to the coil. Some devices let you adjust it, others set it automatically.
Sub-ohm
A coil whose value is below 1 Ω. It produces a lot of vapor and is used with e-liquids rich in VG.
Tank sizes: 10 mL and 50 mL bottles
The 10 mL bottle is ready to use, with the nicotine strength you choose. The 50 mL bottle is sold without nicotine and is completed with boosters. See 10 mL e-liquids and 50 mL e-liquids.
TPD
The European Tobacco Products Directive, which regulates vaping products among other things. It limits nicotine strength to 20 mg/mL and the size of bottles containing nicotine to 10 mL. See how to read an e-liquid label.
Vapor
The aerosol produced when the coil heats the e-liquid.
Draw
The resistance of the air when you inhale: a tight draw requires more effort, an airy draw lets a lot of air through.
To start step by step, go to the Getting started page.
Informational content for adults. The nicotine contained in these products is highly addictive. Use by non-smokers is not recommended.