How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
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A mug of instant coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine and a mug of filter coffee about 140 mg, according to the NHS. The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) lists about 90 mg for a 200 ml cup of either. Coffee-shop coffee varies the most: espressos bought in Glasgow ranged from 51 mg to 322 mg each.
Key points
• Mug of instant coffee: about 100 mg of caffeine (NHS).
• Mug of filter coffee: about 140 mg (NHS).
• 200 ml cup of instant or filter coffee: about 90 mg (EUFIC).
• Decaf coffee: about 4 mg per 200 ml (EUFIC).
• Healthy adults: up to 400 mg a day from all sources is unlikely to cause adverse effects.
Table of contents
- How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
- Caffeine in instant coffee
- Caffeine by type of coffee
- Why coffee-shop coffee varies
- How many cups a day?
- FAQ
How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
The NHS gives about 100 mg of caffeine for a mug of instant coffee and 140 mg for a mug of filter coffee (NHS). EUFIC, which uses a smaller 200 ml cup, lists about 90 mg for both instant and filter coffee (EUFIC). The real amount depends on the size of your cup, how much coffee you use and how it is made. More on daily limits: How much caffeine is too much? · Caffeine pouches in the UK
Caffeine in instant coffee
The NHS uses about 100 mg per mug, and EUFIC about 90 mg per 200 ml cup. A heaped spoon or a large mug means more caffeine; a weak cup means less. The NHS notes that filter coffee and coffee bought from coffee shops can contain more caffeine than instant.
Caffeine by type of coffee
| Coffee | Serving | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Instant coffee | 1 mug | about 100 mg |
| Filter coffee | 1 mug | about 140 mg |
| Instant coffee | 200 ml | about 90 mg |
| Filter coffee | 200 ml | about 90 mg |
| Espresso | 60 ml | about 80 mg |
| Decaf coffee | 200 ml | about 4 mg |
Work out your own total: caffeine calculator.
Sources: NHS (mugs), EUFIC (200 ml, espresso, decaf).
For comparison, the NHS gives about 75 mg for a mug of tea, 40 mg for a can of cola and 80 mg for a 250 ml can of energy drink. More: Caffeine in coffee vs tea vs green tea · How much caffeine is in decaf?
Why coffee-shop coffee varies
Lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites are made with espresso, so their caffeine comes from the shots in them. When researchers bought espressos from 20 coffee shops in Glasgow, the caffeine ranged from 51 mg to 322 mg per serving (Crozier et al., Food & Function, 2012). A large coffee-shop drink with two shots can contain more caffeine than a mug of instant at home. More: How much caffeine is in an espresso?
How many cups a day?
For healthy adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine a day from all sources is unlikely to cause adverse effects. For pregnant women the limit is 200 mg a day (FSA and FSS, 2024). The European Food Safety Authority also considers single doses of up to 200 mg safe for healthy adults (EFSA, 2015).
| Coffee | Caffeine per mug | Mugs to reach 400 mg | Mugs to reach 200 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant | about 100 mg | 4 | 2 |
| Filter | about 140 mg | just under 3 | 1 (about 1.4) |
Based on NHS figures. Tea, cola, energy drinks, chocolate and supplements count towards the same total.
Optimal Native caffeine pouches state the caffeine per pouch on the label: Morning Energy 200 mg, Daily Flow 75 mg and Evening Relax 0 mg, with no sugar. More: Coffee pouches vs a cup of coffee.
FAQ
How much caffeine is in a cup of instant coffee?
About 100 mg in a mug, according to the NHS, or about 90 mg in a 200 ml cup, according to EUFIC.
Does filter coffee have more caffeine than instant?
Per mug, the NHS figures say yes: about 140 mg for filter and 100 mg for instant. EUFIC lists about 90 mg for 200 ml of either.
How many cups of coffee a day is safe?
For healthy adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine a day from all sources is unlikely to cause adverse effects. That is about four mugs of instant coffee, with nothing else containing caffeine.
How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?
About 4 mg per 200 ml cup (EUFIC). Decaf is low in caffeine, not caffeine-free.
Read next: How much caffeine is in an espresso? · Caffeine in coffee vs tea · Caffeine in decaf coffee
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