How Much Caffeine Is in a Cup of Coffee? (Chart by Type and Brand)

An 8 oz cup of brewed coffee contains about 96 mg of caffeine. A single shot of espresso has about 63 mg. Instant coffee lands around 62 mg per cup. Those are averages from Mayo Clinic’s caffeine chart and the USDA FoodData Central database, and the actual number in your cup varies with the beans, the grind, the brew method, and how much coffee goes in. Coffee-chain servings run much higher: Starbucks lists a grande Pike Place at 315 to 390 mg. Knowing the averages is useful. Trusting them as exact is not.

This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. If you have concerns about caffeine and your health, talk to your doctor.

Caffeine by coffee type

These numbers come from Mayo Clinic’s caffeine chart, which lines up with the USDA’s lab values:

Brewed drip coffee (8 oz): about 96 mg. USDA data puts brewed coffee at 40 mg per 100 g, which works out to roughly 95 mg for an 8 oz cup. Stronger or weaker brewing moves that number in either direction.

Espresso (1 oz shot): about 63 mg, in line with the USDA’s 212 mg per 100 g for espresso. A double shot is about 126 mg. Espresso is more concentrated per ounce but a smaller serving, so a cup of drip coffee usually has more total caffeine than a single shot.

Instant coffee (8 oz): about 62 mg, consistent with the USDA’s value of 26 mg per 100 g of prepared instant. It comes in lower than brewed coffee at a typical strength. Use an extra spoonful and the gap closes.

Cold brew: varies more than any other style, because the ratio of coffee to water varies so much. Cold brew is usually made with far more coffee per cup of water than drip, and that is the main reason it often carries more caffeine. The long steep matters less than you would think: a 2017 study in Scientific Reports found caffeine extraction in cold brew levels off after about 6 to 7 hours. Check the label on store-bought cold brew, and remember that concentrates are meant to be diluted.

Decaf coffee (8 oz): not zero. The FDA says decaf typically has 2 to 15 mg per 8 oz cup. The decaf guide explains how decaffeination works and why some caffeine remains.

Caffeine at Starbucks and Dunkin’

Starbucks drip coffee: Starbucks lists a grande (16 oz) Pike Place Roast at 315 to 390 mg and marks the figure as approximate. That is three to four times an average home-brewed 8 oz cup, partly because the cup is twice as big and partly because Starbucks brews strong. Smaller and larger sizes scale roughly with the volume.

Dunkin’ drip coffee: Dunkin’ does not publish caffeine figures for its brewed coffee, so the numbers you see online are outside estimates, and they disagree with each other by a wide margin. If you are counting milligrams, a medium Dunkin’ coffee is safest treated as a big cup of strong drip coffee: well over 150 mg.

Caffeine in tea, soda, and energy drinks

Black tea (8 oz): about 48 mg. Green tea (8 oz): about 29 mg. Both figures come from Mayo Clinic’s chart. Matcha varies a lot with the grade and how much powder you whisk in; the matcha vs coffee comparison covers it in detail.

Coca-Cola (12 oz): 34 mg. Pepsi (12 oz): 38 mg. Both figures come from the makers’ own nutrition pages.

Red Bull (8.4 oz): 80 mg, about the same as a cup of home-brewed coffee. Energy drinks in general average about 79 mg per 8 oz, and a 2 oz energy shot carries around 200 mg. Big 16 oz cans double the 8 oz figure, so check the label.

Chocolate (1 oz): about 12 mg for 45-59% dark chocolate, about 23 mg for 70-85% dark, and about 6 mg for milk chocolate, based on USDA values. The darker the bar, the more caffeine.

How much is safe

The FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects in most healthy adults. That is about four 8 oz cups of home-brewed coffee, or a single grande Starbucks drip plus a little more. For context, the research roundup on coffee and health covers the studies behind that number.

Pregnancy: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists considers less than 200 mg a day a moderate intake during pregnancy. That is about two 8 oz cups of home-brewed coffee. A single large coffee-shop drink can go over it on its own.

Children and teens: The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that the caffeine and stimulants in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry advises against routine caffeine under age 12 and suggests that teens 12 to 18 keep it to 100 mg a day or less. The kids and caffeine piece covers this in detail.

When to see a doctor

Most healthy adults tolerate 400 mg a day without problems, but caffeine sensitivity varies widely. See a doctor if you experience persistent heart palpitations, chest tightness, severe anxiety, or dizziness after drinking coffee. Caffeine also interacts with some medications. Mayo Clinic, for example, advises against caffeine with medicines that contain ephedrine. If you take any regular medication, ask your pharmacist whether caffeine changes how it works.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine is in an 8 oz cup of coffee?

About 96 mg for brewed drip coffee, per Mayo Clinic’s chart and USDA data. The real amount depends on the beans, the grind, and especially how much coffee you use.

Does espresso have more caffeine than drip coffee?

Per ounce, yes. Espresso has about 63 mg per ounce versus about 12 mg per ounce for drip. But a single espresso shot is only 1 oz, while a cup of drip is 8 to 12 oz, so a cup of drip typically delivers more total caffeine.

How much caffeine per day is safe?

The FDA cites 400 mg a day for most healthy adults. ACOG considers less than 200 mg a day moderate during pregnancy. Individual tolerance varies, and some medications change how you respond to caffeine.

Does decaf coffee have caffeine?

Yes. According to the FDA, an 8 oz cup of decaf typically has 2 to 15 mg. That is a small fraction of regular coffee, but it is not zero.

Is cold brew higher in caffeine?

Often, but mainly because cold brew is made with much more coffee per cup of water. A 2017 study found caffeine extraction in cold brew levels off after about 6 to 7 hours, so the long steep is more about flavor than extra caffeine. Store-bought cold brew varies widely, so check the label.

Sources

Mayo Clinic – Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more
USDA FoodData Central – Coffee, brewed (also espresso, instant, and chocolate entries linked above)
Starbucks – Pike Place Roast nutrition
Fuller and Rao (2017), Scientific Reports – The effect of time, roasting temperature, and grind size on caffeine and chlorogenic acid concentrations in cold brew coffee
FDA – Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Red Bull – manufacturer caffeine figures
ACOG – Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy
American Academy of Pediatrics (2011), Pediatrics – Sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents: are they appropriate?
AACAP – Caffeine and children
Mayo Clinic – Caffeine: how much is too much?

This article is for general information only and does not replace personalized medical advice. If you are concerned about how much caffeine you take in, consult your healthcare provider.