Vape terminology explained simply means breaking down the confusing shorthand into plain, practical language. Knowing these terms makes shopping and troubleshooting far easier.

This guide covers the terms you’ll run into most often, grouped by what they actually describe. Once you know the basics, our shop makes a lot more sense to browse.

Vape Terminology Explained: The Core Hardware

Atomizer refers to the heating component inside a device. It’s what actually turns e-liquid into vapor.

Coil is the wire inside the atomizer that heats up. Most coils are made from metals like Kanthal or nichrome.

Wick is the material, usually cotton, wrapped around the coil. It absorbs e-liquid and feeds it to the coil.

Mod refers to the battery and control unit of a device, often used for larger, more customizable setups.

E-Liquid Terms Worth Knowing

PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerin) are the two main base ingredients in e-liquid. According to the FDA, these are standard components found in most vaping products, alongside nicotine and flavorings.

PG generally carries flavor more sharply and produces a stronger throat hit. VG produces thicker vapor and a smoother feel.

Nicotine salt is a form of nicotine that absorbs more smoothly at higher strengths, common in disposable vapes.

Freebase nicotine is the more traditional form, often used at lower strengths due to its harsher feel.

Vape Terminology Explained: Battery and Power Terms

mAh (milliamp-hours) measures battery capacity. A higher number generally means the battery lasts longer between charges.

Ohms measure a coil’s electrical resistance. Lower resistance, often called sub-ohm, produces more vapor and heat.

Wattage refers to the power delivered to the coil. Higher wattage generally means more vapor and a warmer hit.

Draw and Inhale Style Terms

MTL (mouth-to-lung) describes a tighter draw, similar to smoking a cigarette. Vapor is held briefly in the mouth first.

DTL (direct-to-lung) describes a looser, airier draw, inhaled straight into the lungs, typically producing bigger clouds.

Auto draw or draw-activated describes a device that fires automatically when you inhale, with no button needed.

Vape Terminology Explained: Common Problem Terms

Dry hit describes a harsh, burnt-tasting puff caused by a coil heating without enough e-liquid present.

Flooding happens when too much e-liquid saturates the coil, often causing gurgling or leaking.

Priming refers to saturating a new coil’s wick with e-liquid before first use, which helps prevent an early dry hit.

Device Type Terms

Disposable refers to a single-use device, pre-filled and pre-charged, discarded once it’s finished.

Pod system uses a small, often refillable cartridge called a pod instead of a full-size tank.

Mesh coil describes a flat, perforated heating element, generally producing fuller vapor than a traditional spiral wire coil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know all these terms to start vaping?
No. A handful of basics, like coil, e-liquid, and puff count, are usually enough for casual use.

Is nicotine salt stronger than freebase nicotine?
Not inherently. It simply absorbs differently, allowing higher strengths to feel smoother.

What’s the difference between a mod and a disposable?
A mod is a reusable, customizable device, while a disposable is single-use and pre-configured.

Still running into unfamiliar terms? Get in touch with our team and we’ll help you make sense of it.