Nicotine strength is not chosen in isolation. It has to be tied to your former number of cigarettes, to the way you inhaled and to the gear you use. A small clearomizer with a tight draw does not deliver vapor like a wide-open DL atomizer. With the same liquid, the sensation can therefore change noticeably.
The figures below are starting points, not a diagnosis. How you feel matters: a persistent urge to smoke, irritation, headaches or difficulty using the gear should lead you to ask a vape professional or a health professional for advice.
Nicotine is addictive; products containing it are reserved for adults and not recommended for non-smokers.
Start from your former cigarette pattern
First count the cigarettes you smoked before switching to vaping, then look at their pattern. Five cigarettes spread over the whole day do not create the same need as use concentrated in the evening. Inhalation depth and the type of cigarette add further differences.
| Former use (indicative) | Common starting point | Gear to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Very occasional | 0 to 3 mg/ml | MTL or low power |
| A few cigarettes a day | 3 to 6 mg/ml | MTL, sometimes moderate RDL |
| About half a pack a day | 6 to 12 mg/ml | MTL at moderate power |
| Heavier use | 12 mg/ml or more on advice | Tight MTL, small vapor volume |
These benchmarks do not mean you should cut down quickly. A strength that is too low can lead you to vape constantly while still craving a cigarette. A strength that is too high can make every puff uncomfortable. Adjust one parameter at a time.
The catalog offers, for example, MiNiMAL Classique in several strengths, which lets you keep the same flavor while changing the dose.
Why does MTL often accept a higher strength?
In MTL, the draw is tight and the vapor volume per puff stays moderate. This works much like smoking a cigarette: draw into the mouth, then inhale. It generally lets you use a more nicotine-rich liquid without producing a large volume of vapor with each puff.
In DL, the airflow is open and the vapor is inhaled directly. The volume produced is higher. A strength that feels balanced in MTL can become too intense on this gear. Liquids at 0, 3 or 6 mg/ml are therefore more common with an open draw, depending on power and use.
RDL sits between the two. Do not choose its strength on the acronym alone: look at the power you actually use, the coil and the amount of liquid you go through in a day.
How do you read the 0, 3, 6 and 12 mg strengths?
The number indicates milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid. A bottle at 6 mg/ml contains 6 mg in each milliliter, not 6 mg in the whole bottle.
- 0 mg/ml contains no nicotine. It suits someone who no longer needs it, not a smoker who still feels a craving.
- 3 mg/ml is often used with a larger vapor volume or a light smoking history.
- 6 mg/ml can suit intermediate use, in MTL or moderate RDL depending on sensations.
- 12 mg/ml is aimed more at a tight draw and a stronger nicotine need.
Some ranges in the catalog offer 5, 10, 15 or 20 mg/ml instead of these four steps. The principle stays the same: match the strength to the vapor volume and to your need, then observe the result over several days.
Salts or freebase nicotine, what is the practical difference?
The Titanide catalog does include nicotine salt liquids, notably in the MiNiMAL range. Salts generally give a smoother throat sensation at high strength. They are mostly used on low-power MTL gear.
So-called freebase nicotine gives a more pronounced throat hit as the strength rises. Some recipes use a hybrid formulation that combines freebase nicotine and salts to work on this sensation. Fine Cuts Goldleaf 10 ml and BLEND Menthol Light are among the references to look at for their strengths and formulation as stated in the catalog.
Do not put a high-strength liquid in a powerful DL atomizer out of habit. Check the composition, the PG/VG ratio and the usage range of your gear.
Which signs point to a wrong setting?
A craving for cigarettes that stays strong, puffs very close together or rising liquid consumption can signal a strength that is too low, gear too weak for your draw or a worn coil.
A very irritated throat, nausea, a headache or an unpleasant sensation after a few puffs can signal a strength that is too high or unsuitable power. Stop using it and ask for advice if symptoms persist.
Before changing the strength, check the gear. A gunked-up coil delivers liquid poorly. Airflow that is too open dilutes the sensation. Power that is too low can flood the coil. Fixing the setup may be enough.
How do you adjust without losing your bearings?
Keep the same flavor and the same gear during the trial. Change only the strength. Over a few days, note the number of refills, the craving for cigarettes and your throat comfort. This observation is worth more than a reduction decided by the calendar.
If you move from MTL to DL, start the choice over: the vapor volume changes. If you lower the strength but double your liquid consumption, the real reduction is not as simple as the number on the bottle.
The MiNiMAL, Fine Cuts and BLEND pages let you compare the strengths actually available. The variant chosen on the product page is still the data to check before adding to the cart.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start directly at 0 mg?
Only if you have no nicotine need. After regular smoking, a zero strength can leave the craving for cigarettes in place.
Is 12 mg too strong for everyone?
No. How it feels depends on your need, the draw and the vapor volume. It is more consistent on moderate MTL gear than on a powerful DL atomizer.
Are nicotine salts suitable for a large DL atomizer?
They are generally formulated for low-power gear and a tight draw. Follow the liquid's listing and the limits of your gear.
