How much caffeine is in Monster and Red Bull?
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A 250 ml can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine, and a 500 ml can of Monster Energy contains 160 mg. Both work out at 32 mg of caffeine per 100 ml, so the difference is the can size. The sugar-free versions have the same caffeine as the originals.
Key points
• Red Bull: 80 mg per 250 ml, 114 mg per 355 ml, 151 mg per 473 ml.
• Monster Energy: 32 mg per 100 ml, so 160 mg in a 500 ml can.
• Sugar-free versions: same caffeine.
• A 500 ml can of Monster (160 mg) is close to the 200 mg single dose EFSA considers safe for healthy adults.
Table of contents
- How much caffeine is in Red Bull?
- How much caffeine is in Monster?
- Monster vs Red Bull vs coffee
- Sugar
- Energy drinks and your daily caffeine total
- FAQ
How much caffeine is in Red Bull?
| Can size | Red Bull Energy Drink | Red Bull Sugarfree |
|---|---|---|
| 250 ml | 80 mg | 80 mg |
| 355 ml | 114 mg | 114 mg |
| 473 ml | 151 mg | 151 mg |
Work out your own total: caffeine calculator.
Source: Red Bull's own FAQ pages (checked October 2026).
How much caffeine is in Monster?
| Drink | Caffeine per 100 ml | 500 ml can |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Energy (original) | 32 mg | 160 mg |
| Monster Energy Zero Sugar | 32 mg | 160 mg |
Source: UK on-pack labels (checked October 2026). Other Monster flavours can differ, so check the can.
Both carry the UK warning "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people sensitive to caffeine".
Monster vs Red Bull vs coffee
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Monster Energy | 500 ml | 160 mg |
| Red Bull | 250 ml | 80 mg |
| Instant coffee | 1 cup | about 100 mg |
| Espresso | 60 ml | about 80 mg |
| Tea | 1 cup | about 75 mg |
| Cola | 1 can | about 40 mg |
Coffee, tea, cola: NHS. Espresso: EUFIC.
Per 100 ml, both drinks have the same caffeine. A 500 ml Monster has double a 250 ml Red Bull because it is double the size. More: Caffeine in an espresso · Caffeine in cola
Sugar
Original Monster Energy contains 11 g of sugar per 100 ml, according to its UK label: 55 g in a 500 ml can, which is about 14 teaspoons (at 4 g per teaspoon). Sugar-free versions use sweeteners instead. More: Sugar-free energy drinks: what's in them
Energy drinks and your daily caffeine total
For healthy adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine a day from all sources is unlikely to cause adverse effects, and 200 mg a day for pregnant women (Food Standards Scotland and the FSA, 2024). EFSA considers single doses of up to 200 mg safe for healthy adults (EFSA, 2015). Two 500 ml cans of Monster come to 320 mg. More: How much caffeine is too much?
England plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. More: Energy drinks and under-16s
Optimal Native caffeine pouches state the caffeine per pouch and contain no sugar: Morning Energy 200 mg, Daily Flow 75 mg, Evening Relax 0 mg. More: Caffeine pouches vs energy drinks
FAQ
Does Monster have more caffeine than Red Bull?
Per can, yes: 160 mg in a 500 ml Monster vs 80 mg in a 250 ml Red Bull. Per 100 ml, they are the same (32 mg).
How much caffeine is in a can of Red Bull?
80 mg in a 250 ml can.
Does sugar-free Monster have less caffeine?
No. Monster Energy Zero Sugar also has 32 mg per 100 ml, 160 mg per 500 ml can.
Is a Red Bull stronger than a coffee?
A 250 ml Red Bull (80 mg) has a little less than a cup of instant coffee (about 100 mg).
Read next: Energy drinks with the least caffeine · Sugar-free energy drinks · Caffeine pouches vs energy drinks
Optimal Native is coming to the UK. One stack for the whole day: Morning Energy, Daily Flow and Evening Relax. Pre-orders ship from 15 December 2026.