Nicotine Pouch Strengths

Understanding Nicotine Pouch Strengths

Nicotine pouch strength is measured in milligrams (mg) and tells you how much nicotine is in each pouch. The higher the number, the stronger the hit. But strength isn't just about the mg figure, pouch size, moisture level, and the type of nicotine used all affect how the pouch actually feels under your lip.

Getting the strength right matters. Too low and you won't feel satisfied, you'll end up using multiple pouches at once, which defeats the purpose. Too high and you'll get unpleasant side effects like nausea, dizziness, or hiccups, especially if you're new to nicotine pouches. This guide breaks down every strength level, explains how they feel, and helps you match the right strength to your experience level.

Nicotine Pouch Strength Levels Explained

Low Strength (2mg–6mg)

Low-strength pouches deliver a gentle, barely-there nicotine sensation. There's minimal tingling and the experience is closer to a flavoured pouch than a noticeable nicotine hit. These work well for complete beginners who have never used nicotine products before, or for people who enjoy the flavour and ritual of pouches without wanting much nicotine effect.

Best for: First-time nicotine users, flavour-focused users, people cutting down from higher strengths.

What it feels like: Mild warmth or tingling. You might not notice the nicotine at all if you're used to cigarettes or vaping.

Popular options: VELO 6mg, ZYN 3mg

Medium Strength (7mg–11mg)

Medium-strength pouches are where most regular users settle. There's a noticeable nicotine delivery, you'll feel a clear tingling sensation when the pouch goes in, and a steady buzz that lasts through the session. This range is the sweet spot for people who've been using pouches for a while and know what they like, or for ex-smokers who smoked fewer than 10 cigarettes a day.

Best for: Regular pouch users, light-to-moderate ex-smokers, people stepping up from low strength.

What it feels like: Clear nicotine buzz. Noticeable tingle that settles into a comfortable, sustained sensation.

Popular options: VELO 10mg, Nordic Spirit 9mg, ZYN 9mg, XQS 8mg

High Strength (12mg–20mg)

High-strength pouches pack a serious punch. The tingling hits quickly and the nicotine delivery is strong and immediate. This range suits experienced pouch users and heavier ex-smokers (10–20 cigarettes a day) who need a more substantial hit to feel satisfied. Most people don't start here, they work up to it.

Best for: Experienced users, heavy ex-smokers, people who find medium strengths too mild.

What it feels like: Strong, immediate tingle. Pronounced nicotine buzz that you notice within seconds.

Popular options: VELO 14mg, Killa 16.5mg, Pablo Gold Edition 17mg

Strong (Over 20mg)

Strong pouches are for experienced nicotine pouch users only. The nicotine hit is intense, fast, and not for the faint-hearted. Side effects like strong tingling, temporary dizziness, and hiccups are common even for regular users. These pouches deliver the kind of impact that only makes sense if you've built up tolerance from months or years of regular use.

Best for: Very experienced users who find high-strength pouches too mild.
What it feels like: Intense rush. Strong tingling that can take 5–10 minutes to settle. Sessions are often shorter.

Popular options: Pablo 30mg, CUBA 30mg, SNOOZE 25mg

Extra Strong (Over 40mg)

Extra-strong pouches sit at the extreme end of the market. We stock them because experienced users ask for them, but they are absolutely not recommended for beginners or even intermediate users. At 40mg+ per pouch, the nicotine delivery is aggressive and the risk of unpleasant side effects is high for anyone without significant tolerance. If you're considering this strength, you should already be very comfortable with 20–30mg pouches.

Best for: Only the most experienced users with high nicotine tolerance.

What it feels like: Overwhelming for most people. Reserved for users who specifically seek maximum intensity.

Popular options: CUBA 66mg,  Pablo Exclusive 50mg, Iceberg 50mg,

Nicotine Pouch Strength Comparison by Brand

Every brand uses a different strength range. What one brand calls "strong" might be another brand's "medium." This table shows the actual mg per pouch across every major brand we stock, so you can compare like-for-like.

Strengths are listed as mg per pouch. Some brands label strength as mg/g (milligrams per gram of pouch weight) instead — see the FAQ below for how to convert between the two.

How to Choose the Right Nicotine Pouch Strength

If You're a Complete Beginner

Start at the bottom. A 4–6mg pouch from VELO, ZYN, or Helwit is enough to feel a mild effect without overwhelming you. Use one pouch at a time, wait 20–30 minutes, and see how you feel before deciding if you want to go higher. Don't skip straight to 10mg+ because someone on Reddit said 6mg "isn't strong enough" — everyone's tolerance is different.

If You're Switching from Cigarettes

How much you smoked matters. As a rough guide:

These are starting points, not rules. Nicotine absorption from pouches is different to cigarettes it's slower but lasts longer. Give it a few days before deciding a strength isn't enough.

If You're Switching from Vaping

This is harder to map directly because vape nicotine delivery varies hugely by device and liquid. As a general guide, if you vape 10mg nic salts, start with 6–8mg pouches.

If you vape 20mg nic salts, try 10–14mg pouches. The sensation is different pouches deliver nicotine through the gum rather than the lungs, so the onset is slower but the effect lasts longer.

If You Want to Step Up from Your Current Strength

Move up gradually. If you're using 6mg pouches and want more, try 8–10mg before jumping to 14mg. Big jumps in strength increase the risk of side effects and aren't more satisfying than a steady step up. If you're comfortable at 10mg and curious about stronger options, ZYN's at 12.5mg or VELO at 14mg are natural next steps before moving into the 17mg+ territory.

mg/g vs mg Per Pouch: What's the Difference?

This is the single most confusing thing about nicotine pouch labelling, and it catches people out constantly.

mg per pouch tells you exactly how much nicotine is in one pouch. If a pouch says 10mg, you're getting 10mg of nicotine. Simple. Most UK brands (VELO, ZYN, Nordic Spirit) use this system.

mg/g (milligrams per gram) tells you the nicotine concentration per gram of pouch weight, not the total nicotine in the pouch. A pouch labelled 16mg/g might only contain 8mg of actual nicotine if the pouch weighs 0.5g. This system is more common in Swedish snus and some European brands.

To convert mg/g to actual nicotine per pouch, you need to know the pouch weight: 

mg/g × pouch weight (in grams) = mg per pouch.

For example, a pouch labelled 20mg/g that weighs 0.7g contains 14mg of nicotine per pouch.

This is why Pablo's labelling confuses people. Pablo Exclusive is sometimes listed as "50mg" online, but that's 50mg/g, the actual nicotine per pouch is approximately 30mg (based on a 0.6g pouch). Still very strong, but not the 50mg per pouch that some people assume.

Dot Systems and Strength Labels

Many brands use a dot system on the can to indicate strength. The problem is there's no universal standard, each brand defines its own scale.

The takeaway: don't compare dots across brands. A 4-dot VELO (14mg) is not the same strength as a 4-dot Killa (16mg). Always check the actual mg per pouch, which is printed on the can or listed on the product page.

Why the Same mg Can Feel Different

Two pouches with identical mg numbers can feel very different in practice. Here's why:

Pouch moisture: Moist pouches (like VELO and Pablo Exclusive) release nicotine faster because the moisture activates the nicotine immediately. Dry pouches (like Pablo Dry and some Nordic Spirit products) have a slower, more gradual release. A 17mg moist pouch will feel stronger in the first few minutes than a 17mg dry pouch, even though the total nicotine is the same.

Pouch size: Slim pouches sit differently under the lip than Mini pouches. The larger surface area of a Slim pouch means more contact with the gum, which can increase the rate of nicotine absorption. This is one reason why VELO Slim 10mg can feel stronger than VELO Mini 6mg even accounting for the mg difference.

pH level: Nicotine absorption is affected by the pH of the pouch. Higher pH means faster absorption. This is why some brands feel "sharper" or more immediate than others at similar mg levels. It's not something you can see on the label, but it explains why 10mg from one brand doesn't feel the same as 10mg from another.

Flavour: Menthol and mint flavours create a tingling sensation that many people associate with nicotine strength. A mint pouch can feel subjectively stronger than a fruit pouch at the same mg because the menthol sensation amplifies the tingle. The actual nicotine content is the same — it's a sensory effect, not a chemical one.

Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Some tingling and a nicotine buzz are normal that's the product working. But certain side effects indicate the strength is too high for your current tolerance:

Nausea: The most common sign you've gone too strong. Remove the pouch, drink water, and wait. Next time, drop down a strength level.

Dizziness: Usually means too much nicotine too fast. More common with moist, high-strength pouches. Try a dry formulation or lower mg.

Hiccups: Common with stronger pouches. Usually temporary and harmless, but persistent hiccups mean the strength is too high.

Strong tingling or burning: Normal in the first 2–5 minutes, especially with 15mg+ pouches. If it doesn't settle after 10 minutes, the pouch may be too strong or you may be placing it on irritated gum. Move it to a different spot.

If you experience side effects regularly, you're using a strength that's too high for your tolerance. Drop down by at least 3–5mg and build up gradually. There's no benefit to pushing through discomfort a strength that feels right will keep you satisfied without unpleasant effects.

For more on health considerations, read our beginner's guide which covers potential risks and health effects in detail.

Shop Nicotine Pouches by Strength

Ready to find your level? Browse our range by strength:

Low: Ideal for beginners Up to 6mg per pouch ●○○○○

Medium: Regular users 7mg to 11mg per pouch ●●○○○

High: Experienced users 12mg to 20mg per pouch ●●●○○

Strong: Very experienced users Over 20mg per pouch ●●●●○

Extra Strong: Maximum intensity Over 40mg per pouch ●●●●●

Not sure which brand is right? Check our flavour guide to narrow down by taste, or read our beginner's guide if you're new to nicotine pouches altogether. All orders over £20 get free delivery, and we dispatch same-day when you order by 6pm.