How Much Caffeine Is in a Cup of Coffee vs an Espresso?
It's one of the most searched coffee questions online, and the answer surprises a lot of people: an espresso feels stronger, but it isn't always the cup with the most caffeine.
The short answer
- Single espresso (about 30 ml): roughly 60 to 65 mg of caffeine
- Double espresso (about 60 ml): roughly 120 to 130 mg
- Drip coffee (240 ml mug): roughly 80 to 100 mg, sometimes more
- Cold brew (240 ml, diluted): roughly 100 to 200 mg, depending on the recipe
So an espresso is far more concentrated per millilitre, but a full mug of drip coffee often contains more caffeine in total than a single shot.
Why the numbers vary so much
Caffeine in your cup depends on how much coffee you use, the grind, the brewing time and the bean itself. Robusta beans contain about twice as much caffeine as arabica. All Karbur coffees are 100% arabica, which gives a smoother cup with a moderate caffeine level.
Does roast level change caffeine?
Very little. Light and dark roasts have almost the same caffeine by weight. We explain this popular myth in detail in Light or dark roast: which has more caffeine?
How much is too much?
Health Canada recommends that healthy adults stay under 400 mg of caffeine per day, about three 237 ml cups of brewed coffee, and under 300 mg for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Everyone reacts differently, so listen to your body and talk to your doctor if you have any doubt.
Our tip
If you love the taste of coffee but want less caffeine, try a single espresso or a smaller cup made with a high quality coffee. A fresh, well roasted coffee gives you more flavour per sip, so you need less of it.
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