How much caffeine is in an espresso?

A single espresso contains about 80 mg of caffeine, according to the European Food Information Council (EUFIC). But espressos from coffee shops vary a lot: a study of 20 coffee shops found between 51 mg and 322 mg of caffeine per espresso. A double shot contains roughly twice as much as a single.

Key points
• Typical espresso: about 80 mg of caffeine (EUFIC, 60 ml).
• Coffee-shop espressos measured in Glasgow: 51–322 mg each.
• Per ml, espresso is the strongest coffee. Per cup, a large filter coffee can contain more.
• Lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites get their caffeine from the espresso shots in them.

Table of contents

• How much caffeine is in an espresso?
• Why espresso caffeine varies so much
• Espresso vs other coffee
• Lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites
• Espresso and your daily caffeine total
• FAQ

How much caffeine is in an espresso?

EUFIC lists about 80 mg of caffeine for a 60 ml espresso (EUFIC). Treat this as an average: the real amount in your cup depends on the coffee, the dose and the café.

Why espresso caffeine varies so much

In a study from the University of Glasgow, researchers bought espressos from 20 coffee shops and measured the caffeine. It ranged from 51 mg to 322 mg per espresso, a six-fold difference (Crozier et al., Food & Function, 2012).

The amount depends on:

• The dose: how much ground coffee goes into the shot.
• Single or double: many cafés serve a double shot as standard.
• The cup size: a longer pour (lungo) pulls more out of the coffee.

Espresso vs other coffee

Drink	Serving	Caffeine
Espresso	60 ml	about 80 mg
Instant coffee	1 cup	about 100 mg
Filter coffee	200 ml	about 90 mg
Decaf coffee	200 ml	about 4 mg
Energy drink	250 ml	about 80 mg

Work out your own total: caffeine calculator.

Sources: NHS (instant coffee, energy drink), EUFIC (espresso, filter, decaf).

Espresso has the most caffeine per millilitre, but a single shot is small. A big mug of filter coffee can contain more caffeine in total. The NHS notes that filter coffee and coffee bought from coffee shops can contain more than instant. More: Caffeine in coffee vs tea vs green tea · How much caffeine is in decaf?

Lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites

Milk does not add caffeine. A latte, cappuccino or flat white has the caffeine of the espresso shots in it: one shot, about the same as an espresso; two shots, about double. Ask the café how many shots go into each size. More: Caffeine in a latte, flat white or cappuccino at UK coffee shops

Espresso 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. For pregnant women the limit is 200 mg a day (Food Standards Scotland and the FSA, 2024). The European Food Safety Authority also considers single doses of up to 200 mg safe for healthy adults (EFSA, 2015). With coffee-shop espressos ranging up to 322 mg, a couple of doubles can add up quickly. More: How much caffeine is too much?

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 double espresso?
Roughly twice a single: about 160 mg based on the EUFIC average, but coffee-shop shots vary widely.

Does espresso have more caffeine than coffee?
Per millilitre, yes. Per cup, not always: a mug of instant (about 100 mg) or a large filter coffee can contain more than a single espresso.

How much caffeine is in a latte?
The same as the espresso shots in it. A one-shot latte has about as much as one espresso.

How many espressos a day is too many?
Count all your caffeine. At about 80 mg each, five average espressos reach 400 mg, but strong coffee-shop shots get there sooner.

Read next: Caffeine in matcha vs coffee · Caffeine in decaf coffee · Coffee pouches explained

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.