60 Vaping Terms Explained in Plain English, From 510 Thread to Wattage

Abe Ali on 18th Oct 2026

Written by the 123Vape Team · Updated October 2026

WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. For adults 21 and over only. See our age verification and responsible use policy.

Quick answer: This glossary explains 60 common vaping terms in plain English, from 510 thread and coil to puff count, salt nic and wattage. It's a quick reference for adults new to pod systems, disposables and refillable kits. Terms are listed A to Z; links point to deeper guides and to the matching products.

New to vaping devices?

Start with a simple all-in-one disposable or a compact pod kit.

Shop disposable vapes

In this guide

Terms A to Z

Term	Meaning
510 thread	The standard screw connection between many batteries and tanks or cartridges.
Adjustable airflow	A ring or slider that changes how much air passes through the device.
All-in-one (AIO)	A device with the battery and tank built together.
Atomizer	The part that holds the coil and turns e-liquid into vapor.
Auto-draw	A device that fires when you inhale, with no button.
Battery indicator	A light or screen showing remaining charge.
Box mod	A larger, box-shaped device with a replaceable or built-in battery and adjustable settings.
Cartridge	A pre-filled or refillable container of e-liquid that attaches to a battery.
Charging port	Where the cable connects, usually USB-C.
Child-resistant packaging	Packaging required for liquid nicotine containers to make them hard for children to open.
Cloud chasing	Vaping style focused on producing large clouds.
Coil	The heating element that vaporizes e-liquid.
Coil head	A replaceable coil unit used in many pod and tank systems.
Cotton (wick)	The material that carries e-liquid to the coil.
DTL (direct to lung)	Inhaling vapor straight into the lungs, usually on low-resistance devices.
Disposable vape	A pre-filled, pre-charged device used until empty and then disposed of.
Draw	The inhale on a vape.
Dry hit	A harsh, burnt taste when the wick is dry.
Dual mesh coil	Two mesh coils in one device for more vapor and flavor.
E-liquid (e-juice)	The liquid vaporized in a vape, usually PG, VG, flavoring and nicotine.
ENDS	Electronic nicotine delivery system, the regulatory term for e-cigarettes.
Fire button	The button that powers the coil on manual devices.
Flavor ghosting	A previous flavor lingering in a pod or coil.
Freebase nicotine	The traditional form of nicotine in e-liquid, typically used at lower strengths.
Gurgling	A bubbling sound from excess liquid near the coil.
High-capacity disposable	A disposable rated for a high puff count, often with a larger battery and tank.
Juice window	A clear panel showing how much e-liquid is left.
Kit	A device sold with everything needed to start, such as battery, pod or tank and coils.
Leaking	E-liquid escaping from the pod, tank or airflow.
Lithium-ion battery	The rechargeable battery type in most vapes.
mAh	Milliamp-hours, a measure of battery capacity.
Mesh coil	A coil made of a flat mesh strip that heats evenly.
mg/mL	Milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of e-liquid.
Mod	Short for modified device; often means a box mod.
Mouthpiece (drip tip)	The part you inhale from.
MTL (mouth to lung)	Drawing vapor into the mouth first, like a cigarette.
Nicotine percentage	Nicotine strength shown as a percent; 5% is about 50 mg/mL.
Nicotine pouch	A small pouch placed between gum and lip; no vapor or smoke.
Nicotine salt (salt nic)	A form of nicotine used at higher strengths in pod systems and disposables.
Ohm	The unit of coil resistance.
Pod	A small replaceable or refillable container that holds e-liquid.
Pod system	A compact device that uses pods.
Prefilled pod	A pod that comes filled with e-liquid and is replaced when empty.
PG (propylene glycol)	A base liquid in e-liquid that carries flavor.
Priming	Letting a new coil soak in e-liquid before use.
Puff count	A manufacturer's estimate of puffs per device; real use varies.
Rechargeable disposable	A disposable with a charging port so the battery outlasts one charge.
Refillable pod	A pod you fill with your own e-liquid.
Screen display	A small screen showing battery, liquid level or mode.
Spit back	Small drops of hot liquid reaching the mouthpiece.
Sub-ohm	Coils with resistance under 1 ohm, used for direct-to-lung vaping.
Tank	A refillable container that holds e-liquid and the coil.
Throat hit	The sensation in the throat when inhaling vapor.
Top fill	A tank or pod you refill from the top.
Turbo or boost mode	A higher-power setting on some disposables.
Variable wattage	A setting that lets you change power output.
VG (vegetable glycerin)	A thicker base liquid that produces more vapor.
Voltage	Electrical pressure applied to the coil.
Wattage	Power applied to the coil; higher usually means warmer vapor.
Wick	The material, usually cotton, that feeds e-liquid to the coil.

Terms people mix up

These two	The difference
Salt nic vs freebase	Salt nic is used at higher strengths in pods and disposables; freebase at lower strengths in larger devices
MTL vs DTL	MTL draws into the mouth first; DTL goes straight to the lungs
Mesh coil vs regular coil	Mesh heats a wider surface more evenly
Disposable vs rechargeable disposable	A rechargeable disposable has a charging port
Pod vs tank	Pods are compact and often replaceable; tanks are larger and refillable

More: salt nic vs freebase, mesh coil technology and rechargeable vs traditional disposables.

Want refillable instead?

Pod kits use replaceable pods and coils.

Shop vape kits, pods and coils

Understanding nicotine strength labels

Strength appears as a percentage or in mg/mL: 5% is about 50 mg/mL, 3% about 30 mg/mL. Our nicotine strength guide explains the levels.

Common problems by name

Dry hits, gurgling, leaking and blinking lights each have a cause and a fix. See disposable vape not working and why a disposable vape blinks.

Authenticity terms

Authentication code, security sticker and scratch-off code are how brands help buyers check a device is genuine. See vape authentication codes and how to spot a fake vape.

Quick facts

Question	Answer
Terms	60, A to Z
Audience	Adults 21+ learning vape terms
Most searched	Salt nic, MTL, mesh coil, puff count
Strength labels	5% is about 50 mg/mL
Related	Troubleshooting, strength and authenticity guides
Updated	October 2026

Frequently asked questions

What does MTL mean?

Mouth to lung: drawing vapor into the mouth before inhaling.

What does DTL mean?

Direct to lung: inhaling vapor straight into the lungs.

What is salt nic?

A form of nicotine used at higher strengths in pods and disposables.

What is a mesh coil?

A flat mesh heating element that heats evenly.

What does 5% nicotine mean?

About 50 mg of nicotine per mL of e-liquid.

What is a 510 thread?

The standard screw connection on many batteries and cartridges.

What is a dry hit?

A harsh, burnt taste when the wick runs dry.

What is puff count?

A manufacturer's estimate of how many puffs a device gives.

What is sub-ohm vaping?

Vaping with coils under 1 ohm, usually direct to lung.

What is PG and VG?

The two base liquids in e-liquid; PG carries flavor, VG makes vapor.

What is a pod system?

A compact device that uses small pods of e-liquid.

What is an authentication code?

A code from the brand used to check a device is genuine.

About 123Vape

123Vape is an online vape retailer serving adult customers across the United States, selling authentic products from verified distribution channels. Orders require age verification, and we follow federal and state shipping rules; see our legal compliance page and shipping and returns. This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice.