How Much Caffeine Is in a Cup of Coffee vs Tea?

Ever wondered how much caffeine is really in your morning cup—and whether that cup of tea has less? Whether you're trying to cut back or just curious, the actual caffeine content in coffee versus tea might surprise you. Most people assume coffee always has more, but how much more? And is that amount actually significant for your health?

A standard 120cc cup of coffee brewed using commercial packet instructions typically contains 60–100mg of caffeine. That’s roughly the same as a 30ml shot of espresso. In comparison, the same 120cc serving of Japanese sencha contains around 20mg, while black tea has about 30mg. So yes—coffee generally delivers more caffeine per cup.

What Determines Caffeine Content in a Cup?

Caffeine levels aren’t fixed. They vary based on brew method, coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, water temperature, and steeping or extraction time. For example, a 120cc cup using a standard coffee bag’s recommended parameters will land somewhere in the 60–100mg caffeine range. That’s a typical serving size for many consumers, but not the only way to brew.

Coffee vs Tea: The Caffeine Breakdown

Here’s how the numbers shake out for equal serving sizes (120cc):

• Coffee (standard brew): 60–100mg caffeine
• Espresso (30ml): 60–100mg caffeine
• Sencha (Japanese green tea): ~20mg caffeine
• Black tea: ~30mg caffeine

So while both coffee and tea provide a caffeine boost, coffee usually has about three times more caffeine than black tea, and three to five times more than sencha, in the same volume.

Is That Amount of Caffeine Safe?

The impact of caffeine varies by individual—your weight, health status, and tolerance all play roles. But for most people, drinking a few cups of coffee per day isn’t harmful. Issues typically only arise if you’re consuming five or six cups (or more) in a single sitting. For the average person, moderation is key, not elimination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in a 120cc cup of coffee?

A standard 120cc cup of coffee, brewed as per the instructions on commercial coffee packets, typically contains between 60 and 100mg of caffeine. This is similar to the caffeine content found in a 30ml shot of espresso.

Does tea have more or less caffeine than coffee?

Tea generally has less caffeine than coffee when comparing equal volumes. A 120cc cup of sencha (green tea) contains about 20mg of caffeine, and black tea has around 30mg—significantly less than the 60–100mg found in the same amount of coffee.

Is 100mg of caffeine a lot?

For most healthy adults, 100mg of caffeine is considered a moderate amount. It’s roughly equivalent to one cup of brewed coffee or one espresso shot. Issues are more likely to arise from consuming multiple cups (e.g., five or six) in a short period rather than from a single serving.

Why does coffee have more caffeine than tea?

Coffee naturally contains more caffeine per bean than tea leaves do per gram. Additionally, common brew methods for coffee (like drip or espresso) tend to extract more caffeine than typical tea brewing methods, especially when comparing the same serving size.

How does caffeine in sencha compare to black tea?

Sencha (Japanese green tea) has about 20mg of caffeine per 120cc cup, while black tea contains approximately 30mg per same-sized serving. Both have significantly less caffeine than coffee, which contains 60–100mg in 120cc.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Caffeine Lovers

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for a well-rounded, medium-bodied espresso with notes of dark chocolate and caramel—perfect for a strong caffeine kick. Their Ethiopia Yirgacheffe single origin offers bright citrus and floral tones with a lighter body, ideal if you prefer a gentler but still caffeinated cup. For something deeper, the PWN Golden Mandheling delivers a syrupy mouthfeel with hints of nuts and spice. All three deliver satisfying caffeine levels. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.