How much caffeine is in your cup? (2024)

Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more

Find out just how much of this stimulant is in coffee, tea, soda and energy drinks.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

If you're like most adults, caffeine is a part of your daily routine. But do you know the caffeine content of your favorite drinks?

Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is considered safe for most adults. However, people's sensitivity to caffeine varies. If you're bothered by headaches, restlessness or anxiety, you may want to reevaluate your caffeine intake. Also women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to limit their use of caffeine.

Check the charts for an idea of the caffeine content in popular beverages. Drink sizes are in fluid ounces (oz.) and milliliters (mL). Caffeine is shown in milligrams (mg).

Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content of a cup of coffee or tea can vary quite a bit. Factors such as processing and brewing time affect the caffeine level. So use these numbers as a guide.

Coffee drinks Size in oz. (mL) Caffeine (mg)
Brewed 8 (237) 96
Brewed, decaf 8 (237) 2
Espresso 1 (30) 64
Espresso, decaf 1 (30) 0
Instant 8 (237) 62
Instant, decaf 8 (237) 2
Teas Size in oz. (mL) Caffeine (mg)
Brewed black 8 (237) 47
Brewed black, decaf 8 (237) 2
Brewed green 8 (237) 28
Ready-to-drink, bottled 8 (237) 19
Sodas Size in oz. (mL) Caffeine (mg)
Citrus (most brands) 8 (237) 0
Cola 8 (237) 22
Root beer (most brands) 8 (237) 0
Energy drinks Size in oz. (mL) Caffeine (mg)
Energy drink 8 (237) 71.9
Energy shot 2 (60) 215

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April 26, 2022

  1. Lieberman HR, et al. Daily patterns of caffeine intake and the association of intake with multiple sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in U.S. adults based on the NHANES 2007-2012 surveys. Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.jand.2018.08.152.
  2. Grosso G, et al. Coffee, caffeine, and health outcomes: An umbrella review. Annual Review of Nutrition. 2019; doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-071816-064941.
  3. Is your kid over-caffeinated? Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/healthy-eating/is-your-kid-over-caffeinated. Accessed Feb. 1, 2020.
  4. Spilling the beans: How much caffeine is too much. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much. Accessed Sept. 20, 2019.
  5. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines. Accessed Feb. 1, 2020.
  6. Duyff RL. Think your drinks. In: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. 5th ed. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 2017.
  7. Branum AM, et al. Trends in caffeine intake among US children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2014; doi:10.1542/peds.2013-2877.
  8. USDA Food Data Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html. Accessed April 18, 2022.
  9. Bordeaux B. Benefits and risks of caffeine and caffeinated beverages. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 16, 2022.
  10. Zeratsky KA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 5, 2020.
  11. Wikoff D, et al. Systematic review of the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2017; doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.04.002.

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How much caffeine is in your cup? (2024)

FAQs

How much caffeine is in your cup? ›

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an eight-ounce cup of coffee contains between 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. By comparison, a 12-ounce can of soda typically contains 30 to 40 mg of caffeine.

How much caffeine is in each cup? ›

For reference, a 12 ounce can of a caffeinated soft drink typically contains 30 to 40 milligrams of caffeine, an 8-ounce cup of green or black tea 30-50 milligrams, and an 8-ounce cup of coffee closer to 80 to 100 milligrams.

How much caffeine is in a 12 oz cup? ›

But once you consider overall volume, a 12oz cup of brewed coffee contains between 80-120mg of caffeine, whereas any espresso-based drink still contains only 60mg since espresso is diluted in water or milk.

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot? ›

Consumption of 200 milligrams of caffeine doesn't cause any significant harmful effects in healthy people. However, a variety of factors can influence that number, including pregnancy, use of other drugs and sleep deprivation. Pregnant women are recommended not to take more than 200 mg of caffeine per day.

Is 600 mg of caffeine a lot? ›

Regular use of more than 600 mg of caffeine a day might cause long-term effects such as sleep problems, thinning of bones and fractures, more anxiety, and stomach acidity. It can also increase blood pressure, and if you already have high blood pressure, it can get worse.

Is 500 mg of caffeine too much? ›

Is 500 mg of caffeine too much? Yes, 500 mg of caffeine is too much in one day. The general recommendation is to limit yourself to 400 mg of caffeine per day. 500 mg of caffeine in a day can lead to side effects like anxiety, jitters, headaches, and trouble falling asleep.

How much caffeine is in a co*ke? ›

How much caffeine is in co*ke? How much caffeine is in Diet co*ke? People are often surprised when they learn that the amount of caffeine in co*ke or Diet co*ke is much less than in the same-sized coffee. co*ke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, and Diet co*ke caffeine content is 46mg.

What drink has the most caffeine? ›

On an ounce-by-ounce basis, coffee overall delivers more caffeine than energy supplements, shots, and drinks. Devil Mountain Co. Black Label Brewed Coffee is believed to have the most caffeine per ounce at 129.6 mg.

How much caffeine is too much in one day? ›

Up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks. Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content in beverages varies widely, especially among energy drinks.

How much caffeine is noticeable? ›

Studies have demonstrated that relatively small amounts of caffeine are required to see performance effects: 3mg per kilogram body weight (mg/kg) or ~200mg for a 70kg (154 lbs) person. And there is a dose response relationship in the range of 3-6mg/kg (i.e. more is better in that range).

Is caffeine healthy? ›

A moderate intake of coffee may enhance weight loss, cognitive function, and alertness. Caffeine may have a negative impact on pregnancy, fertility, glucose control, and other aspects of health. Energy drinks can contain high levels of caffeine but are unlikely to be hazardous unless consumed with alcohol.

How much caffeine is safe by weight? ›

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people consume no more than about five milligrams of caffeine per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight daily, which adds up to around 400 mg for a 79-kg (175-pound) person.

What are the six side effects of too much caffeine? ›

Caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, increased heart rate, and other side effects. Larger doses might cause headache, anxiety, and chest pain. Caffeine is likely unsafe when used in very high doses.

How much caffeine is in a 12 oz co*ke? ›

co*ke's caffeine content is 34mg for a 12-oz can, and Diet co*ke caffeine content is 46mg. That's three to four times less than coffee! The same-sized coffee, in this case a 12-oz cup, has 140mg or more. Do you have caffeine-free soda?

How many cups is 200 mg of caffeine? ›

The greatest reason people drink caffeinated beverages is to increase their energy and alertness. Studies show that 100 to 200 mg of caffeine (about 1 to 2 cups of regular coffee) are enough to achieve these results.

How much caffeine is in a 10 oz cup? ›

A 10 oz medium roast coffee brewed using the filter or drip method might contain between 125 and 200 mg of caffeine, while a 10 oz medium roast percolated coffee usually contains around 250 mg caffeine. The exact amount of caffeine present in your coffee depends on the coffee beans and the brewing method used.

How many cups is 500mg of caffeine? ›

That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two "energy shot" drinks.

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