What Does Ohm Mean on a Vape Coil? A Beginner's Guide

Ohm (Ω) is the unit of electrical resistance. In vaping, it tells you how much the metal wire inside your coil resists the flow of electricity from the battery. A lower Ohm number means less resistance, allowing more power to flow through the coil, which generates more heat and more vapour.

The Two Types of Coils

All vape coils fall broadly into two categories based on their Ohm rating:

1. High Resistance (1.0 Ω and above)

These coils restrict the electrical flow. Because less power flows through them, they generate less heat and produce smaller, more discreet clouds of vapour. They are designed to mimic the tight draw of a traditional cigarette.

• Best for: Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) vaping, beginner pod kits, and starter vape pens.
• Best e-liquid: 50/50 ratio liquids and Nicotine Salts.
• Typical wattage: 10W to 18W.

2. Sub-Ohm (Below 1.0 Ω)

The prefix "sub" means "below." A sub-ohm coil has a resistance lower than 1.0 Ω (e.g., 0.6 Ω, 0.2 Ω, 0.15 Ω). Because they have very little electrical resistance, massive amounts of current flow through them very quickly. This generates intense heat, vaporising huge amounts of liquid instantly.

• Best for: Direct-to-Lung (DTL) vaping, cloud chasing, and high-powered box mods.
• Best e-liquid: High VG shortfill e-liquids.
• Typical wattage: 30W to 100W+.

Why Does the Ohm Number Matter to You?

The Ohm rating dictates what e-liquid you must buy and what wattage you must use. If you buy a 0.2 Ω coil but fill your tank with a thin, high-strength 50/50 nicotine salt, the intense heat of the sub-ohm coil will instantly vaporise a massive dose of nicotine, causing a harsh, unpleasant throat hit and dizziness.

Conversely, if you put thick High VG liquid into a 1.2 Ω coil, the coil will not get hot enough to vaporise the thick liquid, leading to a clogged coil and a burnt taste (see Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt).

Mesh Coils and Ohms

Historically, sub-ohm coils were thick, tightly wound wire. Today, most sub-ohm coils are Mesh Coils. A mesh coil can achieve a very low resistance (like 0.15 Ω) while offering a massive surface area, meaning they vaporise liquid far more efficiently and deliver significantly better flavour than older wire coils.

How to Choose the Right Ohm Rating

If you use a pod kit with replacement pods, you will often see options like 0.6 Ω, 0.8 Ω, and 1.2 Ω. If you want a tighter draw, a cooler vape, and longer battery life, choose the 1.2 Ω. If you want a warmer vape, more flavour, and larger clouds, choose the 0.6 Ω. Check our Replacement Coils collection to see the options available for your specific device.