Caffeine questions almost always come down to comparison: is this drink stronger than the one I had yesterday, and how many can I have.
The chart below gives typical amounts for common drinks. Treat every figure as a range rather than a fixed value — the reason why is explained under the table.
400 mg — about four 8 oz cups of coffee
This is the figure cited by the US Food and Drug Administration. Pregnant people and anyone sensitive to caffeine should ask their doctor for a lower one.
Quick reference
| Drink | Typical serving | Caffeine (typical range) |
|---|---|---|
| Brewed coffee | 8 fl oz (237 ml) | 80–100 mg |
| Espresso | 1 fl oz single shot | 60–75 mg |
| Instant coffee | 8 fl oz | 30–90 mg |
| Decaf coffee | 8 fl oz | 2–15 mg |
| Cold brew | 8 fl oz | 100–200 mg |
| Black tea | 8 fl oz | 40–70 mg |
| Green tea | 8 fl oz | 20–45 mg |
| Cola | 12 fl oz | 30–40 mg |
| Energy drink | 8 fl oz | 70–100 mg |
| Dark chocolate | 1 oz | 10–25 mg |
Ranges follow figures published by the US Food and Drug Administration and the USDA FoodData Central database. They are ranges, not fixed values, because caffeine depends on the bean, the roast, the grind, the water temperature and the brew time. Two cups from the same machine can differ by a third.
Caffeine amounts
How much is in a specific drink, size or chain product.
Espresso drinks
Espresso is stronger per ounce than brewed coffee but is served in far smaller volumes, which is why a latte often has less caffeine than a mug of drip.
Brewing methods and equipment
Method changes strength more than most people expect — contact time and grind size do most of the work.
| Question |
|---|
| How To Use Reusable K Cup? |
Chain and packaged drinks
Chain drinks vary by size and recipe, so a named product is usually more useful than a general figure.
Why the same coffee gives different answers
Caffeine is extracted, not added. How much ends up in the cup depends on how much coffee was used, how finely it was ground, how hot the water was and how long the two were in contact.
That is why cold brew, made with a long steep and a high coffee-to-water ratio, often carries more caffeine per ounce than hot drip coffee.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
A standard 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee typically carries 80–100 mg. The range is wide because bean, roast, grind and brew time all change how much is extracted.
Does espresso have more caffeine than drip coffee?
More per ounce, less per serving. A single 1 oz shot holds roughly 60–75 mg, while an 8 oz mug of drip holds 80–100 mg. Volume is what decides the total.
How much caffeine is safe in a day?
The US Food and Drug Administration cites 400 mg a day as not generally associated with negative effects for healthy adults. Sensitivity varies, and pregnancy guidance is lower.
Is decaf coffee completely caffeine free?
No. Decaffeination removes most of the caffeine but a cup usually still contains a few milligrams, typically 2–15 mg per 8 fl oz.
Why does cold brew have more caffeine than hot coffee?
Two reasons: it is normally made with more coffee per unit of water, and it steeps for many hours. Longer contact time extracts more, even though the water is cold.