September 8, 2026

What Is a Shortfill E-Liquid?

A shortfill is a large bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid with space left at the top for you to add your own nicotine shots. This guide explains exactly how shortfills work, what sizes are available and who they are best suited for.

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Quick answer: A shortfill is a large bottle of nicotine-free vape juice that is intentionally not filled to the top. That gap leaves room for you to add 10ml nicotine shots to achieve your desired strength. A 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle takes two 18mg nic shots to produce 120ml of 3mg e-liquid. Shortfills exist because UK TRPR regulations ban the sale of nicotine-containing e-liquid in bottles larger than 10ml. By selling the flavour base without nicotine, manufacturers can legally sell 50ml and 100ml formats. They are best suited to experienced vapers using sub-ohm devices who consume more than one 10ml bottle a day.

Why Shortfills Exist: The TPD Explained

In 2017 the UK implemented the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR), the domestic version of the EU Tobacco Products Directive. One of the key rules introduced was a cap on the maximum bottle size for any e-liquid containing nicotine: 10ml. This created a significant problem for sub-ohm vapers who could easily consume 10ml or more of e-liquid in a single day. Buying ten separate 10ml bottles to cover a week of vaping was expensive, wasteful and inconvenient.

The shortfill format was the industry's response. Because a shortfill contains no nicotine, it is not covered by the 10ml bottle restriction. Manufacturers can legally sell 50ml, 100ml or even 200ml bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid. Vapers then buy separate 10ml nic shots, add them to the shortfill bottle and mix to achieve their required nicotine strength. The combined product is ready to vape in under two minutes.

100ml Most common shortfill size. Comes in a 120ml bottle. Takes 2 nic shots for 3mg strength.

50ml Smaller shortfill size. Comes in a 60ml bottle. Takes 1 nic shot for 3mg strength.

3mg The standard nicotine strength produced when shortfills are mixed as designed by most manufacturers.

How Shortfill Sizes Work

Shortfill bottle sizes can feel confusing at first because the bottle size and the liquid volume are different numbers. The gap in the bottle is the deliberate space left for nic shots. Understanding this makes choosing the right shortfill straightforward.

Bottle Size	Liquid Volume	Nic Shots Needed for 3mg	Final Volume After Mixing
60ml bottle	50ml shortfill	1 x 18mg nic shot	60ml at 3mg
120ml bottle	100ml shortfill	2 x 18mg nic shots	120ml at 3mg
250ml bottle	200ml shortfill	4 x 18mg nic shots	240ml at 3mg

The vast majority of shortfills are designed with the 3mg end strength in mind. Most manufacturers size the gap in the bottle for exactly the number of nic shots needed to hit 3mg. If you want a higher strength such as 6mg, you would need to remove some of the shortfill liquid first to create more space for additional nic shots, though this is less common and dilutes the flavour concentration slightly.

Browse Celtic Vapours Shortfill E-Liquids

Welsh-made, TPD compliant and available in a range of popular flavours. Find the right shortfill for your sub-ohm kit.

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How to Mix a Shortfill Step by Step

Mixing a shortfill for the first time takes under two minutes. The process is the same regardless of bottle size.

Remove the Childproof Cap and Nozzle

Unscrew the cap from your shortfill bottle. Underneath you will find a plastic nozzle (sometimes called a nib). This needs to be pulled or prised off to create an opening wide enough to pour your nic shots in. Most modern shortfills have a small notch or tab under the nib to make removal easier. A fingernail or a flat tool is enough to pop it free.

Add Your Nic Shots

Squeeze the correct number of 18mg nic shots into the shortfill bottle through the open nozzle. Use the bottle size guide above to confirm how many shots you need. Pour slowly to avoid spillage. If your nic shot has a nozzle tip, point it directly into the shortfill opening and squeeze the bottle to transfer the liquid cleanly.

Replace the Nozzle and Cap

Push the nozzle back into the bottle opening and replace the childproof cap. Make sure both are secure before shaking. A loose cap during shaking will result in e-liquid escaping. Check the cap is locked by pressing down and turning until it clicks if it is a push-and-turn childproof mechanism.

Shake Thoroughly for Two to Three Minutes

Hold the bottle securely and shake vigorously for two to three minutes. This ensures the nicotine and the e-liquid base mix together fully and evenly. The two liquids will combine naturally but shaking speeds up the process and prevents uneven nicotine distribution throughout the bottle.

Leave to Settle Before Filling Your Tank

Allow the mixed shortfill to settle for five to ten minutes before filling your tank. For the best flavour, leaving the bottle in a cool dark place for a few hours or overnight (a process called steeping) allows the nicotine and flavour concentrates to integrate more fully. Most shortfills vape well immediately after mixing. Steeping is optional for impatient vapers.

To understand the difference between the nic shot formats used in shortfills and nic salt e-liquids, read our guide to What Is a Nic Shot and How Do You Mix It? The Celtic Vapours Shortfill Guide covers every aspect of shortfill vaping in one place.

Who Are Shortfills Best Suited To?

Shortfills are not the right format for every vaper. Understanding who they suit well helps you avoid buying the wrong liquid for your device and experience level.

Vaper Type	Shortfill Suitable?	Reason
Sub-ohm device user	Yes, ideal	High-VG shortfills are designed for the high wattage and airflow of sub-ohm kits. Provides large vapour and flavour intensity at low nicotine strength
High-volume vaper	Yes, ideal	Consuming 10ml or more a day makes shortfills significantly more economical than buying multiple 10ml bottles
New vaper switching from cigarettes	No	Shortfills at 3mg do not deliver enough nicotine quickly enough for a new vaper with active cravings. Nic salt at 20mg in an MTL pod kit is the better starting point
MTL pod kit user	Limited	High-VG shortfills are too thick for most MTL pods. 50:50 shortfills work in MTL devices but max out at 6mg, which may not satisfy ex-smokers. Standard 10ml nic salts are usually a better fit
Cloud chaser or DTL vaper	Yes, ideal	70:30 or 80:20 VG shortfills at 3mg or 6mg are the standard format for direct-to-lung vaping with maximum vapour production
Experienced vaper reducing nicotine	Yes	3mg shortfill at high volume suits vapers who have stepped down through nic salt strengths and now want to continue reducing nicotine while maintaining the volume and flavour of sub-ohm vaping

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you vape a shortfill without adding a nic shot? Yes. Shortfills at 0mg are perfectly vapeable as they are. Some vapers who have successfully reduced their nicotine intake to zero use shortfills as nicotine-free flavour vehicles in their sub-ohm kits. The e-liquid will vape identically to the nicotine-containing version. You can also add a 0mg base mix to top up the bottle to full capacity if you prefer a full bottle without nicotine.

What is the maximum nicotine strength you can achieve in a shortfill? The practical maximum using standard nic shots is 6mg, achieved by adding extra shots beyond the standard 3mg ratio. To reach 6mg in a 100ml shortfill you would need to remove some liquid from the bottle first to create space for more shots. Most vapers using shortfills stay at 3mg because the high vapour volume from sub-ohm devices compensates effectively for the lower nicotine concentration.

What is the difference between a shortfill and a 10ml e-liquid? A standard 10ml e-liquid contains nicotine ready to vape immediately. A shortfill contains no nicotine and requires nic shots to be added before use. Shortfills come in 50ml and 100ml formats which makes them more economical for heavy vapers and are designed for sub-ohm use. Standard 10ml e-liquids including nic salts are designed for MTL pod kits.

Do I need to steep a shortfill before vaping it? No. Most shortfills vape well immediately after mixing with nic shots. Steeping (leaving the mixed bottle for several hours or overnight in a cool dark place) can improve flavour integration and smoothness. Vapers who steep report that complex flavour profiles develop more depth after a few days. It is worth trying but not essential for a good vaping experience.

Are shortfills more cost-effective than 10ml bottles? Yes, significantly. A 100ml shortfill typically costs around £10 to £15. Buying the equivalent in 10ml bottles at £4 to £5 each would cost £40 to £50 for the same volume. For sub-ohm vapers who go through 10ml or more per day, the saving is substantial over the course of a month. The October 2026 UK vaping duty will affect pricing but shortfills are expected to remain more economical than 10ml bottles in most cases.