How much caffeine is in coffee?

The amount in the table belongs to the named USDA food and its stated portion. The records distinguish brewed coffee, espresso, instant coffee and drinks made with milk. A cup label alone is not enough to compare them. The portion weight and the type of coffee both matter.

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Caffeine by coffee type and USDA portion

Each amount is calculated from USDA caffeine per 100 grams multiplied by the portion weight in grams, then divided by 100. Results are rounded to whole milligrams. The linked FDC number identifies the exact USDA record. SR Legacy and FNDDS are separate USDA datasets, so both appear when they give a portion for the same kind of drink.

Small, medium and large below are USDA labels with USDA gram weights. They do not refer to a named coffee chain or establish a fluid ounce size. A USDA portion is a reference amount, not a measurement of the drink in your own cup.

Other coffee drinks per 100 grams

USDA lists a caffeine value for these drinks but no standard portion. The values below are for 100 grams only. They are not caffeine amounts for a cup, bottle or can. No serving size has been assigned to these drinks.

Why two brewed coffee rows can differ

The SR Legacy brewed coffee entry lists 237 g for 8 fl oz, while the FNDDS brewed coffee entry lists 240 g. Both give 40 mg of caffeine per 100 g. Applying those portion weights gives 95 mg and 96 mg after rounding. The difference comes from the published portion weights, rather than a different caffeine concentration in those two records.

Decaf is included alongside the other drinks. The USDA decaf entries here list 1 mg per 100 g. Rounding a small portion to a whole milligram can display zero, but that is not a claim that the drink has no caffeine. The linked source record gives the underlying value.

Cold brew

USDA has no general cold brew value in its SR Legacy, FNDDS or Foundation data. A branded cold brew record describes that product, not cold brew in general. The iced brewed coffee entry in the table is not used as a substitute for cold brew.

What the FDA says about caffeine

The FDA says that for most adults, 400 milligrams a day, about two to three 12 fluid ounce cups of coffee, is an amount not generally associated with negative effects. The FDA also notes wide individual differences in sensitivity and how quickly the body clears caffeine.

The FDA suggests talking with your health care provider about caffeine if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Caffeine in TrueCal

TrueCal starts with a daily caffeine budget of 400 mg that you can change. See pricing for caffeine tracking, read about TrueCal features, or browse the guides. The default budget is an app setting, not a personal medical recommendation.

Frequently asked questions

How much caffeine is in an 8 fl oz brewed coffee?

The USDA SR Legacy portion contains about 95 mg in 237 g. The FNDDS portion contains 96 mg in 240 g. Both records list 40 mg per 100 g, but their portion weights differ.

Does decaf coffee contain caffeine?

Yes. The listed USDA decaf records contain 1 mg per 100 g. A brewed 8 fl oz cup has about 2 mg when rounded to whole milligrams. A small espresso portion can round to zero without being caffeine-free.

Is there a general USDA cold brew amount?

No general cold brew value was found in the USDA SR Legacy, FNDDS or Foundation records reviewed. The iced brewed coffee row is a separate entry and does not establish a cold brew value.

Can I change the caffeine budget in TrueCal?

Yes. TrueCal starts with a daily caffeine budget of 400 mg, and you can change it. The budget is an app setting.

Sources

Checked September 23, 2026

1. USDA FoodData Central coffee records
2. USDA FoodData Central downloadable datasets
3. FDA caffeine guidance

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