Vaping Glossary

New to vaping, or just come across a term you don’t recognise? This glossary explains the most common vaping words in plain English. If you’re still not sure what you need, get in touch or visit our Wisbech shop and we’ll be happy to help.

510 connection

The standard screw thread used to connect most tanks to mods. If a tank and mod are both 510, they will fit together.

Airflow

How much air is drawn through the device as you inhale. Tighter airflow gives a cigarette-style draw (MTL); more open airflow gives a looser, cloudier vape (RDL or DTL).

Atomiser

The part of a vape that heats the e-liquid and turns it into vapour. It holds the coil, and is built into a pod or tank.

Auto-draw

A device that fires automatically when you inhale, with no button to press. Most pod kits work this way.

Battery (mAh)

The power source of your device. The mAh rating shows capacity: the higher the number, the longer it lasts between charges. Some mods use removable 18650 or 21700 batteries. Read our battery safety guidelines.

Box mod

A larger device, usually with a screen, that lets you adjust wattage and settings. It powers a separate tank.

Coil

The heating element inside a pod or tank, wrapped in a wick that soaks up e-liquid. Coils wear out over time and need replacing. See our replacement coils.

Coil resistance (ohms, Ω)

Shows how a coil is designed to be used. Coils of around 1.0Ω and above suit MTL vaping with 50/50 and nic salt e-liquids. Coils below 1.0Ω (sub-ohm) are for DTL vaping with high-VG e-liquid.

Disposable vape

A single-use, non-rechargeable vape. Disposable vapes were banned from sale in the UK from 1 June 2025. Rechargeable prefilled pod kits are the popular alternative.

DTL (direct to lung)

A style of vaping where you inhale the vapour straight into your lungs, like taking a deep breath. It uses open airflow, sub-ohm coils and high-VG e-liquids.

Drip tip

The mouthpiece on a tank. Many are removable and come in standard 510 or wider 810 sizes.

Dry hit

A harsh, burnt taste caused by a coil that is not soaked with enough e-liquid, or is worn out. Prime new coils and keep your tank topped up to avoid it.

E-liquid

The liquid you put in your vape. It is made from PG, VG, flavourings and (optionally) nicotine. Browse our e-liquids.

Freebase nicotine

The traditional form of nicotine used in 50/50 e-liquids and nic shots. It gives a stronger throat hit than nic salts at the same strength.

Mesh coil

A coil made from a flat mesh strip rather than wire. It heats evenly and is known for good flavour.

MTL (mouth to lung)

A style of vaping where you draw vapour into your mouth first, then inhale, like smoking a cigarette. It suits tighter airflow, 50/50 e-liquids and nic salts.

Nic salt (nicotine salt)

A form of nicotine that gives a smoother throat hit at higher strengths. Usually sold in 10mg and 20mg strengths for pod kits. See our nic salts.

Nic shot

A 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine that you add to a shortfill to make your own strength. See our nic shots.

PG (propylene glycol)

One of the two main bases of e-liquid. PG carries flavour well and gives more throat hit.

Pod

The part of a pod kit that holds e-liquid. Some pods have a built-in coil and are replaced whole; others take replaceable coils. See our replacement pods.

Pod kit

A small, simple vape that uses pods instead of a tank. The most popular type of device for everyday vaping. See our pod kits.

Prefilled pod

A pod that comes already filled with e-liquid. You click it into a rechargeable device and replace it when it is empty.

RDL (restricted direct to lung)

In between MTL and DTL. A slightly restricted airflow for a looser draw than MTL, but not as airy as full DTL.

Shortfill

A larger bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid (usually 50ml or 100ml) with space to add a nic shot. See our shortfills.

Sub-ohm

Vaping with a coil below 1.0Ω. It produces more vapour and suits DTL vaping with high-VG e-liquids.

Tank

A refillable container that holds e-liquid and a replaceable coil, fitted to a mod. In the UK, tanks for nicotine e-liquid are limited to 2ml. See our tanks.

Throat hit

The feeling at the back of your throat when you inhale. Higher nicotine strengths and more PG give a stronger throat hit.

TPD / TRPR

The rules that govern vaping products in the UK. They limit nicotine strength to 20mg/ml, nicotine e-liquid bottles to 10ml and tanks to 2ml, and require products to be notified before sale.

VG (vegetable glycerine)

The other main base of e-liquid. VG is thicker and produces more vapour, with a smoother throat hit.

Vaping Products Duty

A UK tax on vaping liquids that came into effect on 1 October 2026. It applies to all e-liquids sold in the UK.

Wattage

The amount of power a device sends to the coil. Higher wattage means more heat and vapour. Each coil has a recommended wattage range, printed on the coil.

Wick

The cotton or fibre in a coil that soaks up e-liquid and feeds it to the heating element.