Caffeine in Coffee: A Comprehensive Measurement Guide
A standard 240 ml cup of drip coffee contains 96 mg of caffeine.
- 240 ml cold brew typically has 200 mg of caffeine — the highest everyday coffee on this list.
- A double espresso / 60 ml Americano contains 126 mg.
- Decaf 240 ml has only about 3 mg of caffeine.
- Population-average caffeine half-life ≈ 5.7 hours; use that to estimate how much remains before sleep.
Caffeine content by common coffee size
This table lists measured servings in the dataset so you can compare like-for-like. Use the drink name and the ml column when tracking intake.
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso (single) | 30 ml | 63 mg |
| Espresso (double) | 60 ml | 126 mg |
| Drip coffee | 240 ml | 96 mg |
| Pour over | 240 ml | 145 mg |
| French press | 240 ml | 107 mg |
| Cold brew | 240 ml | 200 mg |
| Nitro cold brew | 240 ml | 215 mg |
| Latte | 240 ml | 68 mg |
| Flat white | 160 ml | 130 mg |
| Decaf coffee | 240 ml | 3 mg |
| Starbucks Pike Place (Grande) | 473 ml | 310 mg |
Brewing methods and caffeine extraction
Caffeine concentration depends on grind size, contact time, water temperature and coffee-to-water ratio. Dataset values show wide variation: pour over (240 ml) at 145 mg vs drip (240 ml) at 96 mg, and cold brew (240 ml) at 200 mg. That reflects longer steep times and higher coffee-to-water ratios for cold brew and pour-over technique differences.
Short extractions (espresso, ristretto)
Espresso concentrates solubles quickly: a single 30 ml shot has 63 mg, while a double is 126 mg. Ristretto (20 ml) still yields 63 mg because extraction is concentrated by volume.
Long contact methods (cold brew, French press)
Cold brew’s extended steep boosts extraction; dataset cold brew is 200 mg per 240 ml. French press (240 ml, 107 mg) sits between drip and cold brew due to immersion time and coarser grind.
How different coffee types and chains compare
Coffee from cafés and chains often has higher caffeine because of stronger blends or more shots. Examples from the dataset: Starbucks Pike Place Grande (473 ml) is 310 mg; Starbucks Blonde espresso shot (30 ml) is 85 mg—higher than a standard espresso shot (63 mg).
| Chain / Item | Serving | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks Caffè Americano (Grande) | 473 ml | 225 mg |
| Starbucks Cold Brew (Grande) | 473 ml | 205 mg |
| Dunkin' Original Blend (Medium) | 414 ml | 210 mg |
| McDonald's Brewed Coffee (Medium) | 473 ml | 145 mg |
| Pret Filter Coffee | 350 ml | 271 mg |
Factors that change caffeine per cup
Key variables: bean species (robusta has ~2× caffeine vs arabica), roast level (darker roasts are slightly lower by weight but brewed strength matters more), grind size and dose, brewing time and temperature, and serving size. USDA FoodData Central lists comparable ranges; the dataset above reflects measured product values rather than theoretical averages.
Serving vs concentration
Always use mg per serving when possible. The dataset includes both per-100 ml figures for some items (e.g., cold brew 83.3 mg/100 ml) and absolute mg values—both are useful for scaling servings.
Caffeine metabolism and how much remains over time
Population-average half-life ≈ 5.7 hours (caffeine roughly halves every 5.7 h). Use the following table to estimate remaining caffeine after drinking, applying the dataset doses. Individual metabolism varies with genetics, medications, pregnancy and liver function.
| Starting dose | 0 h | ~3 h (~69%) | ~6 h (~48%) | ~9 h (~33%) | ~12 h (~23%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drip coffee (96 mg) | 96 mg | 66 mg | 46 mg | 32 mg | 22 mg |
| Cold brew (200 mg) | 200 mg | 138 mg | 96 mg | 66 mg | 46 mg |
| Double espresso / Americano (126 mg) | 126 mg | 87 mg | 60 mg | 42 mg | 29 mg |
Example: if you drink a 240 ml cold brew with 200 mg at 5 PM, roughly 96 mg remains at 11 PM (6 hours later). If you’re sensitive or have trouble sleeping, aim to stop caffeine earlier than you think.
Health context, safety limits and timing
FDA guidance for healthy adults recommends up to 400 mg/day. For pregnancy, many authorities (including EFSA and Mayo Clinic summaries) advise limiting to about 200 mg/day. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine for children and adolescents. Excessive intake risks palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disruption; seek medical advice for suspected overdose or pregnancy-specific guidance.
Measuring and tracking your intake
Track servings and mg, not cups. Record specific product names (e.g., Starbucks Pike Place Grande = 310 mg) or brewing method + serving size. Apps such as CoffeeLog let you log exact mg values and compute totals across the day and week, helping you stay under recommended limits and time caffeine relative to bedtime.
For clinicians and curious users, combine product-specific mg (dataset values above), half-life math, and personal sleep sensitivity to set practical cutoffs. When in doubt, consult your clinician—this is informational, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in one cup of coffee?
Typical 240 ml servings vary: drip coffee ≈ 96 mg, pour-over ≈ 145 mg, and cold brew ≈ 200 mg according to measured values in the dataset.
Is decaf coffee caffeine-free?
No—decaf 240 ml contains about 3 mg of caffeine in the dataset. Decaf drastically reduces but does not entirely eliminate caffeine.
How long does caffeine stay in my system?
Population-average half-life ≈ 5.7 hours. Roughly 69% remains at 3 h, 48% at 6 h, 33% at 9 h and 23% at 12 h after ingestion.
What is a safe daily caffeine limit?
For healthy adults the FDA recommends up to 400 mg/day. Pregnant people are commonly advised to limit to about 200 mg/day; consult a clinician for personal guidance.
Does espresso have more caffeine than drip coffee?
Per shot, espresso is concentrated: single shot 63 mg (30 ml); per 240 ml serving drip has 96 mg. Total caffeine depends on number of shots and serving size.
Can caffeine affect sleep and when should I stop drinking it?
Yes—because about half remains every 5.7 hours, a late-afternoon 200 mg cold brew can leave ~96 mg by bedtime six hours later. Sensitive individuals should stop earlier or track intake to protect sleep.