A single 1 oz shot of espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine, and a double about 126 mg, based on USDA figures. USDA lists 212 mg of caffeine per 100 g of espresso, against 40 mg for brewed coffee (USDA FoodData Central; USDA FoodData Central). So espresso is far stronger per ounce, but a single shot has less caffeine than an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee, about 95 mg. Coffee shop shots vary a lot: one tested single espresso held 322 mg (Crozier et al., 2012). This guide covers single and double shots, espresso vs coffee, lattes and daily limits.
It is educational, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Single shot: about 63 mg of caffeine in 1 fl oz of espresso (USDA FoodData Central).
- Double shot: about 126 mg in 2 fl oz, calculated from the same USDA value (USDA FoodData Central).
- Brewed coffee: about 95 mg per 8 oz cup, or about 12 mg per ounce (USDA FoodData Central).
- Shops vary: 20 commercial espressos showed about 6 fold differences in caffeine, from the amount of coffee used and other factors (Crozier et al., 2012).
- Daily limit: the FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects for most adults (FDA).
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Caffeine in Espresso by Shot
| Drink | Size | Caffeine (calculated from USDA) |
|---|---|---|
| Decaf espresso | 1 fl oz | under 1 mg |
| Single espresso | 1 fl oz | about 63 mg |
| Double espresso (doppio) | 2 fl oz | about 126 mg |
| Triple espresso | 3 fl oz | about 189 mg |
| Brewed coffee | 8 fl oz | about 95 mg |
USDA lists 212 mg of caffeine per 100 g of restaurant espresso, with 1 fl oz weighing 29.6 g (USDA FoodData Central), 1 mg per 100 g for decaf espresso (USDA FoodData Central) and 40 mg per 100 g for brewed coffee (USDA FoodData Central). Shot sizes differ between cafes and machines, so read these as typical values, not exact ones.
Espresso vs Drip Coffee
Ounce for ounce, espresso has about five times the caffeine of brewed coffee: about 63 mg per ounce against about 12 mg (USDA FoodData Central; USDA FoodData Central). Because a shot is so small, a single espresso still has less caffeine than a regular 8 oz cup. A double espresso, at about 126 mg, has a little more than that cup. Our guides to tea vs coffee and matcha vs coffee compare other drinks.
Why Coffee Shop Espresso Varies So Much
When researchers tested 20 commercial espressos bought from coffee shops, caffeine varied about 6 fold. The highest single espresso contained 322 mg, and three more had over 200 mg. The authors pointed to bean blends, roasting and grinding, but most of all to how much coffee the barista used, and noted that the common assumption of about 50 mg in a strong cup may be misleading (Crozier et al., 2012). If you are counting caffeine, a shop shot can be well above the USDA average.
The same is true of other coffee shop drinks: in one lab study, the same brewed coffee bought from the same outlet on six days ranged from 259 to 564 mg per serving (McCusker et al., 2003).
Lattes, Cappuccinos and Americanos
Milk drinks and americanos get their caffeine from the espresso shots in them, so the caffeine depends on the number of shots, not the size of the cup. A latte made with one shot has about the caffeine of a single espresso, and one made with two shots about that of a double (USDA FoodData Central). Many coffee shops build larger drinks from a single or double shot, which the espresso study also noted (Crozier et al., 2012). Ask how many shots go into your drink if you are keeping count.
For how a measured caffeine tablet compares with a cup of coffee, see caffeine pills vs coffee.
How Many Shots Are Too Many?
The FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects for most adults, while noting that people vary widely in their sensitivity (FDA). At the USDA average that is about six single shots, but because shop shots can run much higher (Crozier et al., 2012), a few doubles can reach it quickly. Our guide to how much caffeine is too much lists signs to watch for, and how long caffeine lasts explains why an afternoon shot can affect sleep.
Decaf Espresso
Decaf espresso is close to caffeine-free at about 1 mg per 100 g (USDA FoodData Central), well under 1 mg per shot. For more on decaf drinks, see how much caffeine is in decaf coffee.
Where Our Products Fit
Theanine Nasal Spray gives 36 mg of L-theanine per serving and is caffeine-free. Some espresso drinkers pair caffeine with L-theanine; in one study, 50 mg of caffeine with 100 mg of L-theanine improved attention switching (Owen et al., 2008). The Energy Stack combines NAD+ Nasal Spray, Forage and Methyl B-12 Nasal Spray in one daily energy routine. Read more on our L-theanine ingredient page, the Non-Stimulant Energy and Focus hub and L-theanine and caffeine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?
About 63 mg in a 1 fl oz single shot, based on USDA figures (USDA FoodData Central). Coffee shop shots can be much higher (Crozier et al., 2012).
How much caffeine is in a double shot of espresso?
About 126 mg in 2 fl oz, calculated from the USDA value of 212 mg per 100 g (USDA FoodData Central).
Does espresso have more caffeine than coffee?
Per ounce, yes, about 63 mg against about 12 mg. Per drink, a single espresso has less than an 8 oz brewed coffee at about 95 mg (USDA FoodData Central; USDA FoodData Central).
How much caffeine is in a latte?
About the same as the shots in it: about 63 mg for one shot and about 126 mg for two (USDA FoodData Central).
Is espresso stronger than coffee?
Espresso is more concentrated, but a typical cup of drip coffee holds more caffeine in total than a single shot (USDA FoodData Central; USDA FoodData Central).
How many espresso shots a day is safe?
The FDA cites 400 mg a day for most adults (FDA), about six single shots at the USDA average, fewer if your shots are strong.
Does decaf espresso have caffeine?
Only a trace: about 1 mg per 100 g, well under 1 mg per shot (USDA FoodData Central).
Why does espresso caffeine vary between coffee shops?
Bean blend, roast and grind matter, but the biggest factor is likely how much coffee is used per shot (Crozier et al., 2012).
Sources
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Beverages, coffee, brewed, espresso, restaurant-prepared (FDC 171891); decaffeinated espresso (FDC 174125); Beverages, coffee, brewed, prepared with tap water (FDC 171890). FoodData Central
- Crozier TW, Stalmach A, Lean ME, Crozier A. Espresso coffees, caffeine and chlorogenic acid intake: potential health implications. Food Funct. 2012. PubMed 22130653
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? FDA
- Owen GN, Parnell H, De Bruin EA, Rycroft JA. The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood. Nutr Neurosci. 2008. PubMed 18681988
- McCusker RR, Goldberger BA, Cone EJ. Caffeine content of specialty coffees. J Anal Toxicol. 2003;27(7):520-2. PubMed 14607010
Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This article is for education only and is not medical advice.
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