Vape Wiki Complete Guide to Vaping and Terminology

December 4, 2025

Introduction

Vaping has become a common term in recent years. But behind that word is a whole world of devices, lingo, and technical details. If you’ve ever heard words like “e-liquid,” “coil,” “MTL,” or “sub-ohm” and wondered what they meant — this guide is for you. In this article, we walk you through everything you need to know about vaping.

What is Vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol, often called vapor, produced by a battery-powered device. These devices — sometimes called e-cigarettes, mods, vape pens, pods, or tanks — heat a liquid to create vapor instead of smoke. That liquid is usually referred to as “e-liquid,” “vape juice,” or “vape liquid.”

Why Terminology Matters

Understanding vaping terminology matters if you want to:

Know what parts and settings you’re dealing with.
Avoid confusion when others discuss vaping.
Make informed decisions — not just copy what others do.

This guide will equip you with the right vocabulary.

Components of a Vaping Device

Battery / Power Source

Every vape device has a battery. This powers the heating element that vaporizes e-liquid. Some devices use built-in batteries; others use replaceable external batteries whose size is indicated by numbers like 18650 or 21700.

Atomizer / Coil / Tank / Pod

Atomizer (or coil): The part that heats and converts e-liquid into vapor.
Tank / Pod / Cartridge: This holds the e-liquid. Many devices allow for refillable tanks or replaceable pods.
Wick: Material, often cotton, inside the atomizer that draws in e-liquid to be vaporized.

Drip Tip / Mouthpiece

The part you inhale through. Some drip tips are removable, allowing customization.

Key Terms and Slang in Vaping

Here are some of the most common terms you’ll see in vaping communities.

E-Liquid / Vape Juice / Components

E-Liquid / Vape Juice: The liquid used in vaping devices. It contains base liquids (PG and VG), flavorings, and may include nicotine.
PG (Propylene Glycol): A thinner base that carries flavor well and produces a stronger throat hit.
VG (Vegetable Glycerin): A thicker base, producing larger vapor clouds and smoother inhale.
Nicotine Strength: Measured in mg/mL or percentage, indicating how much nicotine is in the e-liquid.

Device Types & Configurations

E-cigarettes / Vape Pens: Basic, often small devices, many shaped like traditional cigarettes.
Pod Mods / Pods: Compact devices using pods or cartridges, popular for convenience and portability.
Mods / APV (Advanced Personal Vaporizer): Larger, more customizable devices allowing adjustments of power, coils, airflow, and more.
Sub-Ohm Devices: Devices using coils with resistance below 1 ohm, producing larger vapor and more intense hits.

Power Settings & Controls

VV (Variable Voltage): Lets the user adjust voltage output to the coil.
VW (Variable Wattage): Lets the user adjust wattage, controlling power delivered to produce vapor.
Resistance (Ohm / Ω): Resistance of the coil — higher resistance gives less power, cooler vape; lower resistance gives more power, hotter and denser vapor.

Vaping Styles

MTL (Mouth-To-Lung): Vapor enters the mouth first, then lungs, similar to traditional cigarettes.
DTL (Direct-To-Lung): Vapor is inhaled directly into the lungs, often used with more open airflow and more powerful devices.

Vaping Slang & User Terminology

Vaper: Someone who vapes.
Vapor / Vapour: The aerosol produced by heating e-liquid.
Airflow: How much air mixes with vapor when inhaling. Loose airflow creates more clouds; tight airflow increases flavor and throat hit.
Throat Hit: The sensation at the back of your throat when inhaling vapor.
ADV (All Day Vape): An e-liquid flavor you can vape all day without fatigue.
Wick: Material that draws e-liquid to the coil for vaporization.

How Vaping Actually Works

A vaping device takes power from a battery and uses it to heat a coil. The coil vaporizes the e-liquid soaked into the wick. The vapor then travels through the mouthpiece to your mouth and lungs.

Depending on the device and settings, you can customize how much vapor you generate, the strength of flavor, and the throat hit. For example, high-VG e-liquid with a sub-ohm coil and open airflow produces large clouds and smoother hits. In contrast, high-PG e-liquid with restricted airflow and MTL style produces tighter draws and stronger throat sensations.

Health & Safety Considerations

It’s important to approach vaping with knowledge and caution. Vaping is often marketed as a “safer” alternative to smoking, but:

The aerosol may still contain harmful substances, not just harmless water vapor.
Inhaling nicotine, especially for young people, can affect brain development and increase addiction risk.
Long-term effects of vaping are not fully known; research is ongoing.

Knowledge about what you’re inhaling and how devices work is critical.

FAQs

What is the difference between a vape and a cigarette?

A vape heats liquid into vapor; a cigarette burns tobacco, producing smoke, tar, and harmful chemicals.

What’s in e-liquid?

Typically a base (PG and/or VG), flavorings, and optionally nicotine. Some e-liquids include water or other compounds.

Is vaping the same as smoking?

No. Vaping produces vapor, not smoke, but many devices still deliver addictive nicotine.

What does PG and VG mean?

PG (Propylene Glycol) is thin, carries flavor well, and gives a stronger throat hit. VG (Vegetable Glycerin) is thicker, produces larger vapor clouds, and a smoother inhale.

What is MTL vs DTL vaping?

MTL (Mouth-To-Lung) draws vapor into the mouth first, then lungs, similar to smoking. DTL (Direct-To-Lung) delivers vapor directly to the lungs, usually producing larger clouds.

Vaping has evolved rapidly. Early devices were basic, but over time, new designs, flavors, and customizable devices emerged. Terms like sub-ohm, pod mod, coil build, and airflow describe this evolution and help users navigate the choices.