Cappuccino vs Cortado: caffeine compared
Cortado (4 oz (2 shots)) has 126 mg of caffeine, 51 mg more than Cappuccino (12 oz, 75 mg) — 1.7× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Cortado is the stronger drink: 32 mg/oz versus 6.2 mg/oz.
| Cappuccino | Cortado | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 12 oz | 4 oz (2 shots) |
| Caffeine per serving | 75 mg | 126 mg |
| Per fl oz | 6.2 mg | 32 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 19% | 32% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 5.3 | 3.2 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 2.9 h | 6.7 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 8:05 PM | 4:20 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 3:05 PM | 11:20 AM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 38% | 63% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Cappuccino or Cortado?
Cortado (4 oz (2 shots)) has about 126 mg versus 75 mg in Cappuccino (12 oz): 51 mg more, or 1.7× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Cappuccino or Cortado?
Cortado: about 32 mg per fl oz versus 6.2 mg for Cappuccino. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Cappuccino servings equal one Cortado?
About 1.7 servings of Cappuccino (12 oz) match the caffeine in one Cortado (4 oz (2 shots)).
When should I stop drinking Cappuccino or Cortado before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Cappuccino by 8:05 PM, last Cortado by 4:20 PM. Half-life varies from about 1.5 to 9.5 hours between people.
Method
Caffeine per labeled serving, from the same drink table every calculator here uses (FDA/USDA reference amounts and manufacturer labels; see caffeine content of every drink). Brewed drinks vary batch to batch, so read these as typical values. Decay uses a 5-hour average half-life with a 45-minute absorption ramp; cutoff = bedtime − 5 h × log₂(dose ÷ limit). Percentages use the FDA's 400 mg/day figure for healthy adults and the 200 mg/day limit ACOG gives for pregnancy.
Source — Cappuccino: CSPI caffeine chart (Starbucks Cappuccino, 12 oz tall), checked 2026-10-13.
Unverified — Cortado: Estimate: 2 × the USDA espresso shot (63 mg); no published figure. Treat 126 mg as a rough estimate.