How to Calculate How Many Puffs in E-Liquids

September 11, 2025 — By Irfan Aleem

If you’re new to vaping or switching from cigarettes, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: “How many puffs will I get from this vape?” or “How many puffs are in a bottle of e-liquid?” These are important questions, especially if you’re trying to manage your nicotine intake, compare vaping to smoking, or simply get the best value when shopping at your favourite vape store.

The truth is, puff counts can vary depending on your device, e-liquid strength, and personal vaping habits. But with the right calculation methods and tools like an e-liquid calculator UK or nicotine shot calculator, you can get a pretty accurate idea of how long your e-liquid will last

Puffs, Cigarettes, and Nic Shots - The Basics

In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step and also answer common questions like “How many puffs of vape equal a cigarette?” or “how many nic shots for 100ml to make 6mg?”

Why Puff Count Matters for Vapers?

Puff counts might sound like a small detail, but they’re actually pretty handy to know. They give you an idea of how long your e-liquid or disposable will last, which makes planning your visit a lot easier. They also help you keep track of your nicotine use, especially if you’re trying to figure out how many vape puffs compare to a cigarette.

And if you’re someone who mixes shortfills with nic shots, knowing roughly how many puffs you’ll get can help you choose the strength that feels right. At the end of the day, keeping an eye on puff counts just makes vaping a little more straightforward and easier to manage. New to vaping or want to learn more? Check out our Guide to E-Liquid for simple tips and expert advice.

How to Calculate How Many Puffs Are in Your E-Liquid

As a rough guide to how many puffs in a vape, 1ml of e-liquid usually works out to about 100 puffs.Put simply:

  • 10ml bottle:
    • Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) devices: 2,500–3,000 puffs
    • Direct-to-Lung (DTL) devices: 1,000–1,500 puffs
  • 50ml-Shortfill:
    • MTL: 5,000 puffs
    • DTL: 2,500–3,500 puffs
  • 100ml-Shortfill :
    • MTL: 10,000 puffs
    • DTL: 5,000–6,000 puffs

Keep in mind these are approximate values, as the exact number of puffs depends on your device, puff length, and vaping style.

  • The vape kit you use: sub-ohm tanks drink more liquid per puff than pods.
  • How you vape: taking longer drags will empty your tank faster.
  • Nicotine strength: Stronger juices usually mean you’ll take fewer puffs before feeling satisfied.

A vape calculator takes the guesswork out of mixing. Simply pop in your bottle size and the nicotine strength you want, and it’ll show you the exact number of nic shots to use.

How Many Vape Puffs Equal a Cigarette?

One of the most common questions is: “how many vape puffs in a cigarette?”

  • A single cigarette usually lasts 10–15 drags.
  • If 2ml = 100 puffs, then that’s roughly the equivalent of 20 cigarettes.
  • A 600 puff vape equals about 40 cigarettes, depending on your inhaling style.

This makes it easier for smokers who are transitioning to vaping. You can clearly compare how many cigarettes in a 600 puff vape or how many cigarettes is 1000 puffs. Curious how your vaping style impacts puff count? Discover the difference in MTL vs. DTL E-Liquid.Learn more about airflow, nicotine strength, and cloud production in our detailed guide on MTL vs. DTL Vaping.

Quick Puff-to-Cigarette Comparison

Here’s a simple chart for reference:

Puff Count (Vape)

Cigarette Equivalent (Approx.)

600 puff vape

40 cigarettes

1000 puffs

60–70 cigarettes

2000 puffs

120–140 cigarettes

  This table shows why disposables and refillable devices are popular: they can last as long as several packs of cigarettes, often at a lower cost.

Nicotine Shot Calculator - Getting the Right Strength For Vape Kit

If you’re using shortfills, you’ll often ask: “How many nic shots for 100ml to make 20mg?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • 100ml + 2 nic shots (18mg each) = 3mg strength
  • 100ml + 4 nic shots = 5mg strength
  • 100ml + 13 nic shots = 10mg strength

Moreover, can you also make the math easy? Try our E-Liquid Calculator UK and find your perfect mix in seconds.

How Long Does 600 Puffs Last?

The answer depends on your vaping style:

  • Light vaper: (a few puffs a day): A 600 puff vape could last up to 3–4 days.
  • Moderate vaper: Expect around 1–2 days.
  • Heavy vaper: (frequent, long drags): It may last less than a day.

This is similar to asking “How many drags in a cigarette?” since some smokers finish in just a few deep puffs, while others take lighter, slower drags.
Moreover, the right vape kit can maximise your puff count and flavour. Check out the Best Vape Kits for MTL and DTL in the UK. Whether you’re after smooth MTL hits or bold DTL clouds, this guide highlights the perfect kits for every vaper.

Final Thoughts

Calculating how many puffs in e-liquids is a simple but useful skill for vapers. On average, 1ml of e-liquid gives you about 100 puffs, which means you can estimate how many cigarettes that equals. A 600 puff vape equals about 40 cigarettes, while 1000 puffs equals around 60–70 cigarettes.

If you’re mixing your own liquids, using an e-liquid calculator UK or nicotine shot calculator is the easiest way to get accurate results. This way, you can control your nicotine strength and make your vape last longer.

Whether you’re switching from smoking, managing nicotine intake, or just curious, understanding puff counts makes vaping clearer and more enjoyable. Next time you visit a physical vape store near you, you’ll know exactly what to expect from your e-liquid.

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.