Nicotine Strength Guide: What Strength Vape Should I Use?
💡 Nicotine Strength Guide
What Strength Vape Should I Use? — Expert Advice from Vapin Loud
⭐ Quick Answer
- 🚬 Heavy smoker (20+ a day): Start at 20mg nic salt
- 🚬 Moderate smoker (10–20 a day): Start at 10mg nic salt
- 🚬 Light smoker (under 10 a day): Start at 5mg nic salt
- 🚭 Non-smoker / already vaping: 0mg or 3mg freebase
🧮 Nicotine Strength Calculator — Cigarettes Per Day
Use this simple table to find your recommended starting nicotine strength based on how many cigarettes you smoke per day:
| Cigarettes Per Day | Suggested Nic Salt Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 cigarettes | 3mg – 5mg | Very light — low nicotine needed |
| 5–10 cigarettes | 5mg – 10mg | Light smoker — start low, adjust up |
| 10–15 cigarettes | 10mg | Moderate smoker — the most popular choice |
| 15–20 cigarettes | 10mg – 20mg | Try 10mg first, move to 20mg if unsatisfied |
| 20+ cigarettes | 20mg | Heavy smoker — maximum satisfaction needed |
| Non-smoker / ex-vaper reducing | 0mg – 3mg | Freebase nicotine or nicotine-free |
⚠️ These are starting recommendations. Everyone is different — adjust based on how satisfied you feel after vaping.
🔬 What Is Nicotine Salt (Nic Salt)?
Nicotine salt (nic salt) is a form of nicotine that's smoother to inhale at higher strengths than traditional freebase nicotine. It's absorbed into the bloodstream faster, which means you get quicker satisfaction — making it ideal for smokers switching to vaping.
Nic salts come in 10ml TPD-compliant bottles in the UK and are available in strengths of 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg. They work best in low-wattage pod systems like the Vaporesso XROS, OXVA Xlim, and Uwell Caliburn ranges.
💡 Key fact: Nic salts deliver nicotine more efficiently than freebase, so you need to vape less to feel satisfied. This makes them more cost-effective and better for quitting smoking.
⚖️ 20mg vs 10mg Nic Salts — What's the Difference?
🔴 20mg Nic Salt
- Nicotine hit: Strong and fast
- Throat hit: Smooth but substantial
- Best for: Heavy smokers (20+ a day)
- Satisfaction: Immediate and lasting
- Vaping frequency: Fewer puffs needed
✅ Choose 20mg if you smoked 20+ cigarettes a day and find lower strengths leave you craving more.
🟡 10mg Nic Salt
- Nicotine hit: Balanced and smooth
- Throat hit: Gentle — barely noticeable
- Best for: Moderate smokers (10–20 a day)
- Satisfaction: Good for most vapers
- Vaping frequency: Moderate
✅ Choose 10mg if you smoked 10–20 cigarettes a day or want a smoother, more relaxed vaping experience.
💡 Pro tip: If you're unsure whether to choose 10mg or 20mg, start with 20mg. It's much easier to step down to 10mg once you've quit smoking than to struggle with too little nicotine and go back to cigarettes.
🚬 How Many Cigarettes Is 20mg Nic Salt?
This is one of the most common questions we get asked in store. The honest answer is that it's not a direct comparison — but here's a useful guide:
📊 A 10ml bottle of 20mg nic salt contains approximately 200mg of nicotine total.
A single cigarette contains roughly 10–12mg of nicotine (though only 1–2mg is absorbed).
This means a 10ml bottle of 20mg nic salt is broadly equivalent to around 10–20 cigarettes in terms of absorbed nicotine — though this varies hugely by device, vaping style, and frequency.
The key difference is that nic salts are absorbed more efficiently than cigarette nicotine, so you may find you need to vape less than you expect to feel satisfied. Most ex-smokers find a 10ml bottle lasts them 3–7 days depending on how heavily they vape.
📉 How to Step Down Your Nicotine Over Time
One of the biggest advantages of vaping over smoking is the ability to gradually reduce your nicotine intake at your own pace. Here's a simple step-down plan:
⚠️ There's no rush. The most important step is getting off cigarettes. Nicotine reduction can come later.
🛒 Shop Nic Salts by Strength
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What nicotine strength should I vape as a beginner?
It depends on how much you smoked. Heavy smokers (20+ a day) should start at 20mg nic salt. Moderate smokers (10–20 a day) should try 10mg. Light smokers can start at 5mg. When in doubt, go higher — it's easier to step down than to struggle with too little nicotine.
What nicotine strength should I vape to quit smoking?
Start at the strength that matches your smoking habit — usually 20mg for most smokers. The goal is to replace cigarettes completely first, then reduce your nicotine strength gradually over time once you're smoke-free.
How many cigarettes is 20mg nic salt equivalent to?
A 10ml bottle of 20mg nic salt contains 200mg of nicotine. Given that a cigarette delivers roughly 1–2mg of absorbed nicotine, a 10ml bottle is broadly equivalent to 10–20 cigarettes in terms of absorbed nicotine — though this varies by vaping style and device.
Is 20mg nic salt too strong?
For heavy smokers, no — 20mg is exactly right. For light smokers or non-smokers, 20mg would likely be too strong and could cause dizziness or nausea. Always match your strength to your smoking history.
What's the difference between nic salts and freebase nicotine?
Nic salts are smoother at high strengths, absorbed faster, and ideal for pod systems and MTL vaping. Freebase nicotine has a harsher throat hit at high strengths and is better suited to sub-ohm devices at lower concentrations (3mg or 6mg).
Can I get advice on nicotine strength in store?
Absolutely — our team at all 5 Vapin Loud stores are happy to help you choose the right strength and flavour. Find your nearest store →
🚭 Ready to Quit Smoking?
Visit any Vapin Loud store and our team will help you find the right nicotine strength and starter kit to make the switch for good.
📍 Find Your Nearest Store →⚠️ Warning: Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. These products are not suitable for non-smokers, pregnant women, or individuals under 18 years of age. If you have never smoked, do not start vaping.
