How to use the caffeine calculator

  1. Pick a drink. Choose brewed coffee, espresso, a milk drink, instant or decaf. Milk drinks are counted by their espresso shots.
  2. Set the size and the number. Choose a size in fl oz or the number of shots, then how many of that drink you have in a day.
  3. Read the range and the bar. The total is a range in mg. The bar marks the FDA's 400 mg reference with a plain line.

Caffeine by drink

Each bar is the range for one serving, built from USDA, FDA and Harvard figures. The dark tick is the typical figure, and the dashed line is the FDA reference for a whole day.

Caffeine range for one serving of each drink against the 400 mg FDA reference0100200300400500Brewed coffee, 8 fl oz75–165Instant coffee, 8 fl oz60–65Decaf, 8 fl oz2–16Espresso, 1 shot60–95Espresso, 2 shots125–190FDA reference 400 mgmg of caffeine (bar = range, tick = typical)
One serving of each drink. Brewed and instant coffee are 8 fl oz; espresso is by shot.
Caffeine range by drink and serving
DrinkServingCaffeineSources
Brewed (drip) coffee8 fl ozabout 75–165 mgUSDA, FDA, Harvard
Brewed (drip) coffee12 fl ozabout 110–250 mgUSDA, FDA, Harvard
Instant coffee8 fl ozabout 60–65 mgUSDA, Harvard
Instant coffee12 fl ozabout 90–95 mgUSDA, Harvard
Decaf brewed coffee8 fl ozabout 2–16 mgUSDA, FDA, Harvard
Decaf brewed coffee12 fl ozabout 3–25 mgUSDA, FDA, Harvard
Espresso1 shotabout 60–95 mgUSDA, Harvard
Espresso2 shotsabout 125–190 mgUSDA, Harvard
Latte, cappuccino or flat white1 shotabout 60–95 mgUSDA, Harvard
Latte, cappuccino or flat white2 shotsabout 125–190 mgUSDA, Harvard

Espresso by number of shots

Milk drinks follow their espresso. A latte, cappuccino or flat white is counted by shots, and the milk adds nothing in this calculator.

Caffeine range for one to four espresso shots against the 400 mg FDA reference01002003004005001 espresso shot60–952 espresso shots125–1903 espresso shots185–2854 espresso shots250–380FDA reference 400 mgmg of caffeine (bar = range, tick = typical)
One shot is 63 to 94 mg in the sources, depending on whether a shot is 1 or 1.5 fl oz.

Why you get a range, not a number

USDA, the FDA and Harvard print different figures for the same drink, because beans, roasts, grinds, brew times and cup sizes differ. Where they disagree the calculator keeps both ends, so the range is wider than any single figure. It would be misleading to show one exact number for a cup you did not measure.

The FDA cites about 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects for most healthy adults. It is a reference amount, not advice for you. Limits differ for pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and teens, heart conditions and some medications. Ask your doctor, and see the FDA page.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?

An 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine in the USDA and Harvard figures. The FDA gives 113 to 247 mg for a 12 fl oz cup, which is why this calculator shows about 75–165 mg for 8 fl oz. Bean, roast, grind, brew time and cup size all move the number.

How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

USDA lists about 63 mg for 1 fl oz of espresso, and Harvard lists about 65 mg for one shot of 1.5 fl oz. The calculator uses 63 to 94 mg per shot to cover both serving sizes, so a double shot comes out at about 125–190 mg.

Does decaf coffee have caffeine?

Yes, a little. The FDA gives 2 to 15 mg for an 8 fl oz cup of decaf coffee. USDA lists about 1 mg per 100 g, and Harvard about 4 mg. Decaf is low in caffeine, not caffeine-free.

How much caffeine is the daily amount the FDA mentions?

The FDA cites about 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects for most healthy adults. It is a reference, not a personal limit, and this calculator never says what is right for you. Read the FDA page for the full wording.

Does a latte have more caffeine than brewed coffee?

It depends on the shots. Each shot is counted at about 63–94 mg and the milk adds nothing in this calculator. One shot is about 63–94 mg, which sits at the low end of an 8 fl oz brewed cup (about 75–165 mg). Three shots is about 185–285 mg, above it.

What does cold brew contain?

No figure here. USDA, the FDA page and Harvard do not list cold brew, so the calculator does not estimate it. A bottled one may print its own caffeine on the label.

What about pregnancy, breastfeeding, children or heart conditions?

Limits differ for pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and teens, heart conditions and some medications. Ask your doctor, and see the FDA page. This calculator gives no numbers for those groups.

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Gear that helps

This article reflects independent editorial research and disclosed buying criteria. This is not a substitute for your machine's manufacturer manual or professional service guidance. As an Amazon Associate, BaristaBetter earns from qualifying purchases (affiliate disclosure).

Digital coffee scales

Weighing the dose is the simplest way to keep a cup of the same drink from drifting.

See options on Amazon for Digital coffee scales

Home espresso machines

If you count shots, a home machine lets you pull exactly the number you want.

See options on Amazon for Home espresso machines

Decaf coffee beans

Decaf is low in caffeine, not zero, and the calculator has a row for it.

See options on Amazon for Decaf coffee beans