Energy drinks top the list

According to the Mathematics Department at the University of Utah , the energy drink Red Bull contains about 80 mg of caffeine in an 8.2‑ounce can. That may not sound like much compared with coffee (a typical 8‑ounce drip coffee ranges from 115 mg to 175mg), but it’s nearly four times the amount in a 12‑ounce can of Coca‑Cola. Another early energy drink, Jolt Cola, packs 71.2 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces, still formidable even decades after its launch.

One surprise on the graphic is Zero Sugar Mountain Dew, which has about 68 mg of caffeine per 12 oz, substantially more than the 55 mg found in regular Mountain Dew. PepsiCo, which makes Mountain Dew, markets the zero‑sugar version as having a bold flavour with an extra kick. Its caffeine content is closer to energy‑drink territory than to most sodas.

Sodas vary widely

Among traditional soft drinks, the caffeine count ranges from 55mg in Mountain Dew (and its Code Red and Diet versions) to 46mg in Diet Coke. Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper both contain 41mg, while Pepsi‑Cola has 37.5mg. Coca‑Cola Classic, as well as its cherry, lemon and vanilla variants, delivers 34 mg of caffeine per 12‑ounce can.

At the lower end is Barq’s Root Beer with 23mg; diet root beers from Barq’s and other brands are caffeine-free.

These differences matter if you routinely reach for multiple cans a day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that most adults can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day. However, the FDA warns that children and adolescents should avoid energy drinks and other high‑caffeine beverages because they can cause increased heart rate, high blood pressure and sleep disturbances.

The Centre for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) adds that the FDA doesn’t require companies to list caffeine content on labels and has compiled a caffeine chart with data for more than 200 products. In that chart, caffeinated soft drinks typically range from 23mg to 83mg per 12‑ounce serving, so the drinks in the World Visualized graphic span much of the spectrum.

A new infographic created by World Visualized compares the caffeine content of popular beverages, using a 30-millilitre (one-ounce) serving as the benchmark. The results demonstrate the potency of certain drinks.

At the top of the chart is espresso, with 62.5 milligrams of caffeine per 30 ml – roughly the amount in a single shot. That concentration makes espresso the most potent drink by volume. Consumer Reports notes that a shot of espresso contains about 63 milligrams of caffeine, while an eight‑ounce cup of home‑brewed coffee ranges from 96 to 128 milligrams, illustrating that brewed coffee delivers more caffeine overall but less per ounce. This helps explain why espresso feels so intense despite the small serving size.

Just below espresso in the ranking is roasted and ground filter‑drip coffee, delivering 22 mg of caffeine per 30 ml, followed by roasted and ground percolated coffee at 15 mg and brewed coffee at 17 mg per ounce. These numbers highlight how the brewing technique and grind size affect extraction. Percolated coffee tends to extract less caffeine than drip brewing because hot water passes through the grounds multiple times, while drip brewing allows for more efficient extraction.

Traditional teas deliver far less caffeine per ounce than coffee. Brewed black or green tea contains around 4 to 6 mg per 30 ml , similar to brewed yerba mate, and matcha – powdered green tea whisked into water – has about 8.75 mg per ounce. Instant tea is milder still at 1.9 mg per ounce. These amounts are modest compared with espresso but can add up over a large mug.

For drinkers who prefer to limit caffeine, the chart shows that decaffeinated options still contain trace amounts. Roasted and ground decaffeinated coffee delivers about 0.4 mg per 30 ml, while instant decaffeinated coffee contains 0.6 mg. Even chocolate milk has a small amount of caffeine (1 mg per ounce) because cocoa naturally contains the stimulant.

How much caffeine is too much?

Most health authorities agree that moderate caffeine consumption is safe for healthy adults. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day — roughly the amount in two to three 12‑ounce cups of coffee — is not generally associated with negative effects for most adults.

However, sensitivity varies. Pregnant women, people with heart conditions and children should limit intake and consult a healthcare provider. The FDA also cautions that energy drinks can deliver high doses of caffeine alongside large amounts of sugar and should be avoided by children and teens.

Consumer Reports has echoed these concerns, reminding readers that caffeine appears in unexpected places, including some flavoured waters, gummy supplements and energy chews, and that powdered caffeine products are so concentrated that a single teaspoon can contain the caffeine of 28 cups of coffee. The group advises consumers to read labels carefully and stick to moderate portions.