A 125 ml cup of filter coffee contains an average of around 60 milligrams of caffeine. A 30 ml espresso contains approximately 40 milligrams, a double espresso around 80 milligrams and a cup of decaf coffee about 3 milligrams.
These are averages. The amount of caffeine actually in your coffee depends on factors including the coffee variety, the amount of ground coffee, the brewing method and the size of your cup.
How much caffeine is in coffee on average?
The amounts below are based on the average values from the Dutch Nutrition Centre.
| Type of coffee | Typical amount | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Filter coffee | 125 ml | about 60 mg |
| Large mug of filter coffee | 250 ml | about 120 mg |
| Instant coffee | 125 ml | about 60 mg |
| Single espresso | 30 ml | about 40 mg |
| Double espresso | 60 ml | about 80 mg |
| Cappuccino with one espresso | approximately 150–180 ml | about 40 mg |
| Cappuccino with a double espresso | approximately 180–220 ml | about 80 mg |
| Decaf coffee | 125 ml | about 3 mg |
The milk in a cappuccino or latte contains no caffeine. The amount of caffeine is therefore almost entirely determined by the number of espresso shots used as the base.
The values in the table are explicitly guidelines. Measurements can vary considerably. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre’s Caffeine factsheet, both filter coffee and espresso can contain much less or considerably more caffeine than the average.
Why does the amount of caffeine vary per cup?
Two cups of coffee of the same size can still contain different amounts of caffeine. That is because several factors influence the result at the same time.
The type of coffee bean
Robusta beans contain considerably more caffeine than arabica beans. According to the Dutch Nutrition Centre, robusta can contain approximately two to three times as much caffeine as arabica.
A blend with a large proportion of robusta can therefore contain more caffeine than a coffee made entirely from arabica. That does not automatically mean the coffee tastes stronger, by the way. Flavour intensity and caffeine content are two different things.
A dark-tasting coffee can contain relatively little caffeine, while a mild coffee may provide more caffeine. If you enjoy a smooth, freshly roasted coffee, you could look at our 100% arabica coffee beans from Colombia, for example.
The amount of ground coffee
The more coffee you use for a brew, the more caffeine is available to end up in the water.
An espresso made with 18 grams of coffee will normally contain more caffeine than an espresso made with 8 grams. The same applies to filter coffee: a large mug brewed with a generous dose will generally contain more caffeine than a small cup.
If you want to brew more consistently, weighing your coffee helps. Also read our explanation of how many grams of coffee you use per cup.
What does the Specialty Coffee Association say about dosing?
The Specialty Coffee Association distinguishes between the ratio for filter coffee and the ratio for espresso.
For filter and immersion coffee, the amount of ground coffee is set against the amount of water. A commonly used ratio is 60 grams of coffee per litre of water, or approximately 1 gram of coffee to 16.7 grams of water. For a 250 ml cup of filter coffee, that works out to around 15 grams of ground coffee.
For espresso, people more often look at the ratio between the amount of ground coffee and the weight of the final drink. For example, a recipe with 18 grams of ground coffee and 36 grams of espresso has a ratio of 1:2.
These ratios are not a direct formula for caffeine content. They do show why two drinks that are both called “a coffee” can contain different amounts of caffeine. The dose used, amount of water and final serving size are not the same.
The historical SCA definition of a single espresso uses 7 to 9 grams of ground coffee for a drink of 25 to 35 millilitres. For a double espresso, it gives 14 to 18 grams of coffee. Modern coffee shops regularly use different recipes. That is why the amount of caffeine in an espresso can also vary by shop or machine.
The size of your cup
The phrase “a cup of coffee” is surprisingly imprecise. For filter coffee, the Dutch Nutrition Centre uses a cup of 125 millilitres. Many coffee drinkers at home or in the office, however, use a mug of 200 to 300 millilitres.
A 250 ml mug can contain around 120 milligrams of caffeine. Someone who drinks four of those mugs may therefore consume considerably more caffeine than someone who drinks four small 125 ml cups.
So do not look only at the number of cups; also consider the volume of your cup or mug.
The brewing method and contact time
Caffeine is released from the ground coffee into the water during brewing. The coffee-to-water ratio, contact time and brewing method all influence how much caffeine ultimately ends up in the drink.
Espresso is brewed under pressure and in a short time. Filter coffee has a longer contact time and is usually consumed in a larger volume. As a result, espresso contains more caffeine per millilitre, but a full mug of filter coffee often contains more caffeine per serving.
Does espresso contain more caffeine than filter coffee?
Espresso is more concentrated, but per cup it usually contains less caffeine than a large mug of filter coffee.
A 30 ml espresso contains an average of around 40 milligrams of caffeine. A standard 125 ml cup of filter coffee contains about 60 milligrams. A 250 ml mug of filter coffee can contain approximately 120 milligrams.
The difference is therefore mainly due to serving size:
- Per millilitre, espresso contains more caffeine.
- Per normal serving, filter coffee often contains more caffeine.
- A double espresso contains approximately twice as much as a single espresso.
- A lungo may contain more caffeine than a short espresso, depending on the recipe and dose used.
The question of which coffee is “strongest” therefore has two possible answers. If you mean the highest concentration, espresso is often the answer. If you mean the greatest total amount of caffeine per serving, a large filter coffee may come out higher.
How much caffeine is in a cappuccino?
A cappuccino usually contains the same amount of caffeine as the espresso used to make it.
A cappuccino with one espresso contains an average of around 40 milligrams of caffeine. If it is made with a double espresso, the amount is closer to 80 milligrams.
Milk does not change the caffeine content. A larger cappuccino is therefore not automatically higher in caffeine. The number of espresso shots and the amount of coffee used for those shots are what matter.
The same principle applies to a latte, flat white and latte macchiato. If you are ordering in a coffee shop, you can ask how many espresso shots are used in the drink.
Is there caffeine in decaf coffee?
Decaf coffee is not completely free of caffeine. A 125 ml cup of decaf contains an average of around 3 milligrams of caffeine.
That is much less than the approximately 60 milligrams in a regular cup of filter coffee. The exact amount can vary, but decaf is a logical alternative for people who want to limit their caffeine intake.
Good decaf does not have to taste flat or boring either. Bean quality, the decaffeination process and the roast make a big difference. Read more in our comparison of decaf and regular coffee.
Want to taste for yourself how much flavour modern decaf can offer? Explore our decaf coffee beans, including Colombia Sugarcane Decaf.
Does the roast affect caffeine?
It is often claimed that dark-roasted coffee contains much less caffeine than light-roasted coffee. In practice, the difference is less straightforward than it sounds.
Roasting changes the weight, volume and density of the bean. The result can therefore differ depending on whether you compare the coffee by bean, by scoop or by gram.
For your daily caffeine intake, the following factors are usually more useful to consider:
- arabica or robusta;
- the number of grams of coffee;
- the size of the drink;
- the number of espresso shots;
- the brewing method.
You therefore cannot reliably determine how much caffeine ends up in your cup based only on “light roast” or “dark roast.”
How much caffeine can you have per day?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicates that, for healthy adults, a single intake of up to 200 milligrams of caffeine and a total intake of up to 400 milligrams spread throughout the day generally do not pose a safety concern.
Based on caffeine alone, 400 milligrams could roughly correspond to:
- six to seven small 125 ml cups of filter coffee;
- three to four 250 ml mugs of filter coffee;
- approximately ten single espressos averaging 40 mg;
- approximately five double espressos averaging 80 mg.
These are purely calculation examples based on averages. The actual amount of caffeine can vary considerably between coffees. In addition, 400 milligrams is not a personal target.
Caffeine does not affect everyone in the same way. Some people experience restlessness, palpitations, headaches or sleep problems even at a relatively small amount. According to EFSA, 100 milligrams of caffeine can also affect sleep in some adults when consumed shortly before bedtime.
Different considerations apply to pregnant people, breastfeeding women, children and people with certain medical conditions. EFSA gives a maximum of 200 milligrams per day for pregnant and breastfeeding women. For personally applicable information, see the Dutch Nutrition Centre’s caffeine advice or discuss it with a doctor.
How can you estimate how much caffeine you drink?
Without laboratory testing, you cannot determine the exact amount of caffeine in home-brewed coffee. You can, however, make a useful estimate.
Note the following:
- Which coffee you use: arabica, robusta or a blend.
- How many grams of coffee you use per brew.
- How large your cup or mug is.
- How many espresso shots are in your drink.
- How much coffee, tea, cola, energy drink and other sources of caffeine you consume throughout the day.
For a normal cup of coffee, you can use approximately 60 milligrams as an estimate. For a large mug of filter coffee, around 120 milligrams is a more practical starting point. For espresso, you can use an average of around 40 milligrams per single shot.
These remain estimates, but they give you a much better picture than simply counting the number of cups.
Frequently asked questions about caffeine in coffee
How many milligrams of caffeine are in one cup of coffee?
A 125 ml cup of filter coffee contains an average of around 60 milligrams of caffeine. A larger 250 ml mug contains an average of approximately 120 milligrams.
How much caffeine is in an espresso?
A single espresso of approximately 30 millilitres contains an average of 40 milligrams of caffeine. A double espresso contains an average of approximately 80 milligrams.
How much caffeine is in a cappuccino?
A cappuccino with one espresso contains an average of around 40 milligrams of caffeine. With a double espresso, that is approximately 80 milligrams. The milk does not add caffeine.
Does filter coffee contain more caffeine than espresso?
Per millilitre, espresso is more concentrated. Per full serving, a regular or large filter coffee often contains more caffeine.
Is decaf completely caffeine-free?
No. A 125 ml cup of decaf coffee still contains an average of approximately 3 milligrams of caffeine.
Which coffee contains the most caffeine?
That depends on the bean, dose and serving size. Robusta contains more caffeine than arabica. A large mug of filter coffee can contain more caffeine per serving than a single espresso.
How many cups of coffee equal 400 mg of caffeine?
Based on averages, 400 milligrams is equivalent to approximately six to seven small cups of filter coffee or three to four 250 ml mugs. The actual amount can vary considerably.
Summary
A small cup of filter coffee contains an average of around 60 milligrams of caffeine. For a large mug, you can use approximately 120 milligrams as a guide. A single espresso contains an average of 40 milligrams, a double espresso around 80 milligrams and decaf approximately 3 milligrams.
If you want to estimate your caffeine intake, it is best not to look only at the number of cups. Serving size, the amount of coffee used, the number of espresso shots and the ratio of arabica to robusta make at least as much difference.
Ultimately, caffeine does not have to be the most important criterion when choosing coffee. The right dose, fresh beans and a brewing method that suits your taste are what mainly determine how enjoyable your daily coffee moment becomes. Explore our freshly roasted specialty coffee beans.
Sources and accountability
The following sources were consulted for average caffeine amounts, health guidelines and technical information about coffee brewing:
-
Dutch Nutrition Centre – Caffeine
Used for the average amount of caffeine in filter coffee, espresso, decaf, tea and energy drinks. -
Dutch Nutrition Centre – Caffeine factsheet
Used for average values, measured ranges and the explanation of differences between coffee preparations. -
Dutch Nutrition Centre – Coffee
Used for information about the influence of coffee variety, brewing method, dose and cup size. -
European Food Safety Authority – Caffeine
Used for guidelines for healthy adults, pregnant people and breastfeeding women. -
Specialty Coffee Association – Brewing Ratio versus Beverage Ratio
Used for the explanation of the ratio between coffee and water in filter coffee and between dose and drink in espresso. -
Specialty Coffee Association – Defining the Ever-Changing Espresso
Used for the historical SCA definition of espresso.
The caffeine amounts mentioned are averages. The actual caffeine content can vary due to the bean used, dose, grind size, brewing method, contact time and serving size. SCA brewing ratios are intended to describe coffee recipes and are not a formula for calculating the exact caffeine content.
This article provides general information and does not replace personal medical advice.
Last substantively checked: 11 August 2026.
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