Caffeine Content in Common Beverages

You’ve probably wondered how much caffeine is really in your morning coffee—or that iced tea you grabbed at lunch. Whether you’re trying to cut back or need a bigger boost, knowing the exact caffeine levels in everyday drinks helps you make better choices.

Most brewed coffee contains 95–200mg of caffeine per cup, while espresso holds 40–75mg per shot. Decaf versions range from 0–15mg for espresso and 2–12mg for brewed. Energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull pack 76–80mg or more per can. Even chocolate chips can have up to 104mg per cup.

Coffee & Espresso

Coffee delivers the most caffeine, but amounts vary widely based on preparation method:

• Espresso shot: 40–75mg
• Decaf espresso: 0–15mg
• Regular brewed coffee: 95–200mg
• Decaf brewed coffee: 2–12mg
• Instant coffee: 27–173mg
• Decaf instant coffee: 2–12mg
• McDonald’s brewed coffee: 100mg
• McDonald’s mocha frappe: 125mg
• Starbucks latte: 150mg
• Starbucks coffee (size unspecified): 330mg
• Starbucks decaf: 25mg

Tea

Tea generally contains less caffeine than coffee, though levels depend on type and brewing:

• Black tea: 14–61mg
• Decaf black tea: 0–12mg
• Green tea: 24–40mg
• Arizona iced tea: 11mg
• Generic instant tea: 26mg
• Lipton Brisk: 5–7mg

Soft Drinks

Many sodas include moderate caffeine, often less than a cup of coffee but more than tea:

• Barq’s root beer: 18mg
• Coca-Cola Classic: 30–35mg
• Coca-Cola Zero: 35mg
• Diet Coke: 38–47mg
• Diet Pepsi: 27–37mg
• Dr. Pepper: 36mg
• Mountain Dew: 46–55mg
• Pepsi: 32–39mg

Energy Drinks

These are the most potent caffeine sources per serving:

• 5-hour Energy: 207mg
• AMP: 72–74mg
• Cran-Energy: 70mg
• Full Throttle: 70–72mg
• Monster: 80mg
• Red Bull: 76–80mg
• Rockstar: 79–80mg
• Vault: 47mg

Other Sources

Even non-drinks can deliver surprising caffeine amounts:

• Chocolate chips (1 cup): 104mg
• Dark chocolate-covered coffee beans: 336mg
• Foosh energy mints: 100mg
• Hershey’s Kisses: 9mg
• Excedrin (2 tablets): 130mg
• Excedrin (1 tablet): 200mg

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in a standard cup of coffee?

A typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains 95–200mg of caffeine. Exact amounts depend on bean type, roast level, brew method, and water ratio. Most mainstream coffee shops serve cups in this range.

Is decaf coffee completely caffeine-free?

No. Decaf coffee still contains some caffeine—usually 2–12mg per 8-ounce brewed cup, or 0–15mg for a shot of decaf espresso. It’s significantly lower than regular coffee but not zero.

Which energy drink has the most caffeine?

5-hour Energy has the highest caffeine content at 207mg per serving. Other top caffeine sources include Monster (80mg), Red Bull (76–80mg), and Rockstar (79–80mg).

Does tea have more or less caffeine than coffee?

Generally, tea has less caffeine than coffee. Black tea contains 14–61mg per cup, while green tea has 24–40mg. Both are usually well below standard coffee amounts.

Do sodas have a lot of caffeine?

Most sodas contain moderate caffeine, typically between 27–55mg per can, with exceptions like Barq’s Root Beer at 18mg and Mountain Dew at 46–55mg. They usually have less than a cup of coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Caffeine Lovers

For those seeking bold, high-caffeine coffee experiences, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for a balanced 12-ounce cup with sweet caramel and citrus notes, or their Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for vibrant berry acidity and floral tones in a lighter roast. Both are expertly roasted to highlight their natural caffeine kick. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.