How much caffeine is in Espresso (double)?

One double espresso contains 126 mg of caffeine. (TrackCaffeine dataset, measured serving 60 ml; source: /dataset/.)

That 126 mg in a 60 ml serving equals about 210 mg per 100 ml when calculated from the stated values (126 mg ÷ 60 ml × 100 ml; TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/), and it represents roughly 1.3 times the caffeine in a standard 240 ml drip coffee, where drip coffee is 96 mg per 240 ml as listed in our reference table (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/). At a physiological level, 126 mg typically produces alerting effects for most adults within 15–45 minutes after ingestion and peaks in blood concentration within about 30–90 minutes after a shot (TrackCaffeine dataset model; see half-life and kinetics), but subjective sensitivity varies by individual and prior exposure (see timing and sensitivity notes below).

How long Espresso (double) stays in your system

The page uses a first-order elimination model with a population-average half-life of 5.7 hours, i.e. remaining = dose × 0.5^(hours / 5.7) (model parameter: population-average half-life 5.7 h; TrackCaffeine internal model, /tools/caffeine-calculator/).

Applying that formula to this dose gives the arithmetic applying the 126 mg quantity: remaining = 126 mg × 0.5^(hours / 5.7) (TrackCaffeine dataset dose 126 mg, /dataset/); at 3 hours this evaluates to approximately 87 mg remaining (given on this page as 3 h ≈ 87 mg, TrackCaffeine dataset decay values, /dataset/), at 6 hours ≈ 61 mg (given as 6 h ≈ 61 mg, /dataset/), at 9 hours ≈ 42 mg (given as 9 h ≈ 42 mg, /dataset/), and at 12 hours ≈ 29 mg (given as 12 h ≈ 29 mg, /dataset/). These numbers are the modelled amounts still present in the body by the mathematical half-life model above, not clinical thresholds of effect.

For practical interpretation: if a double espresso is consumed at 15:00, the modelled remaining caffeine is about 61 mg at 21:00 and about 42 mg at midnight, using the 6 h and 9 h decay points quoted above (TrackCaffeine dataset decay values, /dataset/), and those residual amounts are what contribute to ongoing stimulation and sleep disruption risk discussed below (see Drake et al. 2013 on sleep impact, Drake et al., 2013).

This double espresso provides 32% of a 400 mg daily guidance value (data field: SHARE OF THE 400 mg DAILY GUIDANCE = 32%; the 400 mg/day guideline is reported by EFSA (2015), EFSA, 2015), so three similar doubles would exceed that 400 mg benchmark (TrackCaffeine dataset dose and guidance comparison, /dataset/).

For sleep planning: Drake et al. (2013) found that 400 mg of caffeine taken six hours before bedtime reduced total sleep time by over an hour (Drake et al., 2013), and our decay model shows that a 126 mg double at 15:00 leaves about 61 mg at 21:00 and about 42 mg at 00:00 (6 h ≈ 61 mg and 9 h ≈ 42 mg values, TrackCaffeine dataset decay table, /dataset/), which means residual stimulation at bedtime can be substantial even many hours later; use the Latest Cup Before Bedtime tool to estimate personalized cutoffs based on your bedtime.

Certain groups should be more cautious: EFSA (2015) recommends pregnant women limit caffeine to 200 mg per day (EFSA, 2015), so a single double espresso at 126 mg uses a large portion of that pregnancy recommendation (TrackCaffeine dataset dose, /dataset/); adolescents and medically sensitive people should follow clinical guidance or consult a clinician (see our calculators and weight-based limits at Safe daily limit by body weight for a tailored estimate).

Within the espresso-family entries on TrackCaffeine, this double espresso at 126 mg matches the caffeine listed for our Americano entry (Americano, 126 mg; /caffeine-in/americano/) and is the same total caffeine as a large latte with two shots (Latte (large, 2 shots), 126 mg; /caffeine-in/latte-large-2-shots/), demonstrating that adding water or milk changes volume but not the dose in our dataset (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/).

Compared to a typical 240 ml drip coffee at 96 mg (Drip coffee, 96 mg per 240 ml; TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/), the double espresso is 1.3× the caffeine content (data field: CUPS OF DRIP COFFEE EQUIVALENT = 1.3× using drip reference 96 mg per 240 ml, TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/); put another way, two single espressos in our dataset (each 63 mg) equal the double's 126 mg, while some milk-based drinks such as a 240 ml latte are much lower in caffeine in our data (Latte, 68 mg; /caffeine-in/latte/), reflecting shot count and serving conventions rather than bean chemistry alone.

What changes the number for Espresso (double)

Serving size and extraction are the primary drivers of the 126 mg figure: this page lists a 60 ml double espresso at 126 mg (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/), while a single espresso in our dataset is 30 ml at 63 mg (see Espresso (single), 63 mg), which shows the per-shot doubling by volume and dose in the dataset (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/).

Preparation style moves caffeine without changing coffee mass: a 20 ml ristretto is 63 mg in our data (Ristretto, 63 mg; /caffeine-in/ristretto/) even though it is smaller than a single shot because extraction concentration can be higher; conversely, diluting a double shot into an Americano keeps the caffeine at 126 mg while expanding volume—our Americano entry is 240 ml at 126 mg (see Americano, 126 mg), showing volume does not equal dose in these preparations (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/).

Other same-category drinks in the dataset illustrate how small recipe changes alter caffeine: a large latte with two shots is 350 ml at 126 mg (Latte (large, 2 shots), 126 mg), while a standard 240 ml latte is 68 mg (Latte, 68 mg), reflecting that single- versus double-shot milk drinks in our data change caffeine primarily by shot count (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/).

Sources of real-world variation include: bean variety and roast (robusta has more caffeine than arabica), grind size and tamping (which alter extraction efficiency), tamp pressure and shot time (barista technique), and machine pressure and temperature; these factors produce batch-to-batch variation that means the single published figure is an estimate (TrackCaffeine methodology, /dataset/). Decaffeinated espresso exists and typically contains measurable residual caffeine; see our guide to decaf espresso for typical ranges and testing methodology (Decaf Espresso: How Much Caffeine Is Really in It?).

Where this figure comes from

The 126 mg value on this page comes from the TrackCaffeine open dataset aggregation and standardised serving definitions (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/), compiled from publicly available analysis and manufacturer disclosures, and cross-checked against food composition resources such as the USDA FoodData Central (USDA FoodData Central; /dataset/ lists provenance per entry).

Published values disagree because caffeine content varies by bean species, roast, grind, dose, extraction time and lab method; we will update this page if new laboratory analyses, manufacturer laboratory data, or peer-reviewed meta-analyses change the consensus for a 60 ml double shot (TrackCaffeine methodology and update policy, /dataset/).

Bottom line

Short version: a double espresso (60 ml) on this page is listed as 126 mg of caffeine (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/), which is about 210 mg per 100 ml (calculated from 126 mg in 60 ml), and equals roughly 1.3× a 240 ml drip coffee at 96 mg in our reference (TrackCaffeine dataset, /dataset/).

Modeled decay using a 5.7 h half-life gives remaining = 126 mg × 0.5^(hours / 5.7), producing the listed checkpoints: 3 h ≈ 87 mg, 6 h ≈ 61 mg, 9 h ≈ 42 mg, 12 h ≈ 29 mg (TrackCaffeine dataset decay values and model, /dataset/). This single block contains the key dose and the modelled persistence figures you can quote.