Do Vapes Have Calories?

August 08, 2025 — By Irfan Aleem

If you’ve ever wondered, “Do vapes have calories? you’re not alone. With so many people switching from smoking to vaping, questions like “how many calories in a vape?” or “does vaping have calories?” pop up more than you'd think. 

The short answer is yes, but the amount is so tiny it’s almost not worth counting. Most vape juices (also called e-liquid or vape liquid) contain trace calories from ingredients like vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). But since you’re inhaling vapour, not eating or drinking, your body barely absorbs any of it. So even if you vape all day, you’re not adding noticeable calories to your diet.

 

Do Vapes Have Calories? Let’s Break It Down Simply

Every puff of vape you take does technically contain trace calories, but the numbers are so tiny, they barely register. Let’s look at where those calories come from.

What Actually Adds Calories to a Vape?

When people ask, “Where do the calories in a vape come from?”, the answer lies in the ingredients of your vape juice (also called e-liquid or vape liquid). Most standard vape liquids are made with:

  • Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
  • Propylene Glycol (PG)
  • Nicotine (optional)
  • Flavourings (sometimes with sweeteners)

Even though vape flavours can taste fruity or dessert-like, the actual caloric content in vape juice comes only from VG and PG. These two base ingredients contain around 4 to 4.3 calories per gram, which adds up to about 4 to 5 calories per millilitre of e-liquid.

So, if you're using a 2ml disposable vape, that’s only about 8 to 10 calories total. A 30ml refill bottle may contain around 120 to 150 calories, which is still less than a small snack or half a soda.

While there are calories in vapes, the amount is tiny and practically irrelevant for your diet or weight. You’d have to vape an unrealistic amount for those calories to have any real effect on your body.

Can Your Body Even Absorb Vape Calories?

Here’s the key thing to understand: when you vape, you're inhaling vapour, not eating or drinking. Your lungs are built to take in oxygen, not to digest calories like your stomach does with food. So even though vape juice (or e-liquid) contains a few calories, your body doesn’t really take them in.

Most of the vapour you inhale just passes through and comes right back out when you exhale. Only a tiny amount might stick around in your mouth or throat, and even then, it doesn't end up in your digestive system, where calories are normally absorbed.

So if you're wondering, “how many calories are in a vape?” the better question is: “Does my body actually use them?” And the answer is basically no.

  • Long-term weight gain from vape calories? Almost impossible.
  • Actual calorie absorption? So close to zero, it doesn’t matter.

That’s why even frequent vaping won’t impact your calorie count in any real way.

Why Do People Mistake Vape Calories for Weight Gain?

If vaping doesn’t deliver calories to your body, why do some vapers notice weight changes?

Nicotine = Hidden Variable:

Nicotine itself has no caloric value, but it suppresses appetite and boosts metabolism in the short term. When people switch from cigarettes to a low-nicotine juice (or quit vaping), their appetite can rebound, increasing food intake, not vaping calories.

Behavioural Substitution:

Fumbling for a vape can mimic hand-to-mouth snacking habits. Some vapers feel less mental hunger, not because of calories, but because of the action of vaping itself.

Post‑Quitting Weight Gain:

Research shows people who quit smoking often gain 4–5 kg within a year, largely through increased calorie consumption, not just the absence of nicotine’s effect.

So if someone asks: “Does vaping make you gain weight?” The answer is: not directly, but indirectly through changes in eating behaviours.

Vaping & Fasting: Will It Break Your Fast?

If you’re doing intermittent fasting, it’s normal to ask questions like: Here’s the simple answer: for most people, vaping won’t break your fast. While vape juice (also called e-liquid or vape liquid) contains small amounts of calories, your body doesn’t absorb them the same way it does with food or drink.

Why Vaping Usually Doesn’t Break a Fast

  • Vape calories are extremely low: around 4–5 calories per ml of e-liquid.
  • Your body doesn’t absorb most of it because you're inhaling, not digesting.
  • No insulin response: vaping doesn’t trigger the body’s “fed state.”
  • Safe for zero-calorie fasts, like 16:8 or OMAD intermittent fasting plans.

When Vaping Might Break a Fast

  • If you’re doing a strict water-only fast, some people avoid anything with flavour or chemicals, including vapour.
  • Some fasting purists believe even non-nutritive vapour can count as a “break” in strict regimes.

Real‑World Examples of “Calories in a Vape

Vaping Scenario

Vape Juice Used

Estimated Calories

Small disposable vape (2ml pod)

2 ml

8–10 calories

Chain vaping in a day

5 ml

20–25 calories

Average weekly use

15 ml

60–75 calories

Heavy use (full 30ml bottle)

30 ml

120–150 calories

  Even the highest case is still lower than a small snack or a loaf of bread.

FAQs

Do vapes have calories?

Yes, but the amount is extremely small. Vape juice contains trace calories from VG and PG, but they’re so tiny they don’t impact your diet.

How many calories are in a vape?

On average, vape juice has about 4 to 5 calories per ml. But since most of it is exhaled as vapour, your body barely absorbs any of it.

How many calories are in a vape pod?

A regular 2ml vape pod contains around 8–10 calories in total. That’s less than a bite of fruit, and again, most of it doesn’t even reach your stomach.

Are there calories in vapes or vape juice?

Yes, but only from the base ingredients, VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol). There’s no fat, protein, or sugar in food.

Does vaping have calories? Will it make me gain weight?

Not directly. While the vape itself has almost no absorbable calories, nicotine might change your appetite or eating habits.

Is there calories in a vape puff?

Each puff has about 0.05 calories, basically nothing. You’d have to vape nonstop for hours just to match a few food calories.

Tips for the Weight-Conscious Vaper

  • Choose high-quality e‑liquid from trusted brands. Avoid sugary DIY mixes.
  • If quitting smoking or lowering nicotine, watch your hunger cues.
  • Use the hand‑to‑mouth motion of vaping as a substitution, not food.
  • Combine with a balanced diet and regular movement for healthy weight management.

Final Thoughts

Vapes do contain a tiny amount of calories, but they’re so minimal your body hardly absorbs them. So, even if you vape regularly, it won’t impact your weight or calorie intake in any real way. However, be mindful of how vaping affects your habits, like increased snacking after quitting nicotine. Focus on balance: choose quality e-liquids, stay active, and maintain healthy routines. In short, don’t worry about vape calories, just keep your overall lifestyle in check.

Irfan Aleem

Director, Greet Vape

Irfan is the Director of Greet Vape and brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in the UK vaping industry. Known for his sharp commercial insight and grounded leadership style, he specialises in retail growth, sales training, and product strategy. His work sits at the intersection of business performance and education, with a focus on real-world results.