How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee? Chart by Cup Size
Short answer: An 8 oz (about 240 ml) cup of brewed coffee has about 96 mg of caffeine on average, according to Mayo Clinic. That works out to roughly 12 mg per fluid ounce, so a 12 oz cup has about 144 mg and a 20 oz cup about 240 mg. The bean, the brewing method and the strength can push the real number lower or much higher.
| Cup size | Typical caffeine | Range at 80–100 mg per 8 oz | Range at 95–200 mg per 8 oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 oz (240 ml) | about 96 mg | 80–100 mg | 95–200 mg |
| 12 oz (355 ml) | about 144 mg | 120–150 mg | 143–300 mg |
| 16 oz (473 ml) | about 192 mg | 160–200 mg | 190–400 mg |
| 20 oz (591 ml) | about 240 mg | 200–250 mg | 238–500 mg |
| 24 oz (710 ml) | about 288 mg | 240–300 mg | 285–600 mg |
Sources: the typical column is scaled from Mayo Clinic's 96 mg per 8 oz. The range columns are scaled from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (80–100 mg) and MD Anderson Cancer Center (95–200 mg). Sizes above 8 oz are our own calculations, not lab measurements. Milliliters are rounded at 1 fl oz to 29.57 ml.
How much caffeine is in coffee?
A standard cup of brewed coffee has about 96 mg of caffeine, based on the Mayo Clinic average for an 8 oz cup. That is the number most people mean when they ask about a "cup of coffee."
The catch is that a "cup" is rarely 8 oz anymore. Many home mugs hold 12 oz or more, and travel tumblers often hold 16 to 24 oz. So the size of your cup matters more than almost anything else.
Think of 12 mg per ounce as a handy rule. Multiply it by the ounces in your mug and you have a fair estimate. Just remember it is an average, not a promise.
Caffeine content of brewed coffee per 240 ml
Brewed coffee has about 96 mg of caffeine per 240 ml. Mayo Clinic gives that figure for 8 oz, which is 237 ml, so 240 ml is close enough that the number barely changes.
If you measure in milliliters, the per-ounce rule becomes about 4 mg per 10 ml (calculated). A 300 ml mug would land near 120 mg, and a 500 ml bottle near 200 mg.
How much caffeine is in 20 oz of coffee?
A 20 oz (591 ml) coffee has about 240 mg of caffeine, scaled from the Mayo Clinic average. That is two and a half standard 8 oz cups in one container.
Depending on whose numbers you use, the range is wide. Using the 80–100 mg per 8 oz figure, a 20 oz cup comes to 200–250 mg. Using the 95–200 mg figure, it could reach about 500 mg (both calculated).
We did not find any source that measured a 20 oz cup directly. Treat these numbers as estimates. If you drink large cups, it is worth knowing the high end is possible.
Why the numbers for a cup of coffee differ so much
Caffeine numbers vary because coffee itself varies. Mayo Clinic notes that brewing time and growing conditions both change the amount in the cup.
Here is what moves the number at home:
- How much coffee you use. More grounds per cup means more caffeine. This is the biggest lever you control.
- Contact time. The longer water sits with the grounds, the more caffeine it pulls out.
- Grind size. Finer grounds expose more surface to the water. Our grind size chart matches grind to brewer.
- The bean. Arabica and robusta are different coffee species, and where and how the plant grows matters too.
That is why one source can say 80–100 mg and another 95–200 mg for the same 8 oz cup. Neither is wrong. They are describing different coffees made different ways.
How to keep your caffeine more consistent
If you want your morning cup to land in about the same place every day, measure. Small habits make a big difference.
- Weigh your coffee. A good starting point is 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water, or about 15 g (2 heaping tablespoons) for an 8 oz cup.
- Use water between 195 and 205°F (90 to 96°C), just off the boil.
- Keep your grind the same from day to day.
- Time your brew. Aim for about 3 to 4 minutes for pour-over or drip and 4 minutes for a French press.
- Know your mug. Fill it with water once and measure it, so you know whether your "cup" is 8, 12 or 16 oz.
How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?
A single 1 oz (30 ml) shot of espresso has about 63–64 mg of caffeine, based on the Mayo Clinic figures. BCBS Michigan puts it at about 60–70 mg.
Ounce for ounce, espresso is far stronger than drip coffee. But a shot is small, so one shot has less total caffeine than an 8 oz mug. A double shot latte lands at about 130 mg (calculated), close to a 12 oz brewed coffee.
How much caffeine is in cold brew?
Cold brew has no single reliable caffeine number, and we could not find an independent lab figure for it. It depends heavily on how much coffee goes in and whether you dilute the concentrate.
Cold brew steeps for 12 to 24 hours, which can pull out a lot of caffeine. Then most people add water or milk, which brings it back down. If you make it at home, a 1 to 8 coffee-to-water ratio served straight will be strong. Cut a concentrate 1 to 1 with water and you will be closer to regular brewed coffee.
How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?
An 8 oz cup of brewed decaf has about 2 mg of caffeine, based on the Mayo Clinic figures. A shot of decaf espresso has about 0–1 mg, per Mayo Clinic.
Decaf is not caffeine-free, and some cups run higher. Swiss Water, a decaf company, cites 2–15 mg per 8 oz. Want something in between? Read our guides to decaf and half-caff coffee.
How many cups of coffee add up to 400 mg?
About 33 oz (976 ml) of average brewed coffee reaches 400 mg, the daily amount the FDA considers fine for most healthy adults, as reported by Consumer Reports and Cleveland Clinic. The 33 oz figure is calculated at 12 mg per ounce.
That is a little over four 8 oz cups, or fewer than two 20 oz cups. And if your coffee runs strong, one 20 oz cup at the top of the MD Anderson range could pass 400 mg by itself (calculated).
Pregnancy, some medicines and caffeine sensitivity can change what is right for you, so ask your doctor. Our post on how much coffee is too much covers the signs. For brand and drink comparisons, see our complete caffeine comparison guide.
Where our Kenyan coffee fits
Our coffee is 100% Kenyan Arabica from one family farm, Kirenge Farm in Kiambu County, where we have grown coffee since the 1950s. Its caffeine is in the normal range for 100% arabica coffee, so the chart above is a fair guide.
What sets it apart is the cup. Our SL-28 and SL-34 trees grow at 1,500 to 1,800 meters on red volcanic soil, and every cherry is picked by hand. The light and medium roasts have a bright, fruity flavor. The dark roast is smooth with very low acidity. We roast in small batches every week in Atlanta and ship within 48 hours.
Try a fresh cup of 100% Kenyan Arabica
Pick a light, medium or dark roast of our single-origin, low acid, 100% Arabica coffee, roasted weekly in small batches in Atlanta and shipped within 48 hours. Whole bean, ground or pods, with free shipping on orders over $55: shop our Kenyan coffee.
Frequently asked questions
Does dark roast have more caffeine than light roast?
Not in any way you would notice. Roast level changes flavor far more than caffeine, and how much coffee you use per cup matters much more.
Is a "cup" on my coffee maker 8 oz?
Often not. Many coffee makers count a cup as 5 or 6 oz, so a "12-cup" pot may hold far less than twelve 8 oz mugs. Measure your carafe with water to be sure.
Does adding milk lower the caffeine?
No. Milk dilutes the taste but the caffeine already in the coffee stays the same. A latte has the caffeine of its espresso shots.
How much caffeine is in a coffee pod?
A pod usually holds less coffee than a well-dosed drip cup, so it often lands near or below the 8 oz average. Choosing a smaller cup size on the brewer makes a stronger, not more caffeinated, drink.
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