Coffee, brewed vs Cold brew: caffeine compared
Cold brew (16 oz) has 205 mg of caffeine, 110 mg more than Coffee, brewed (8 oz, 95 mg) — 2.2× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Cold brew is the stronger drink: 12.8 mg/oz versus 11.9 mg/oz.
| Coffee, brewed | Cold brew | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 8 oz | 16 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 95 mg | 205 mg |
| Per fl oz | 11.9 mg | 12.8 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 24% | 51% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 4.2 | 2.0 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 4.6 h | 10.2 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 6:22 PM | 12:49 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 1:22 PM | 7:49 AM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 48% | 102% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Coffee, brewed or Cold brew?
Cold brew (16 oz) has about 205 mg versus 95 mg in Coffee, brewed (8 oz): 110 mg more, or 2.2× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Coffee, brewed or Cold brew?
Cold brew: about 12.8 mg per fl oz versus 11.9 mg for Coffee, brewed. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Coffee, brewed servings equal one Cold brew?
About 2.2 servings of Coffee, brewed (8 oz) match the caffeine in one Cold brew (16 oz).
When should I stop drinking Coffee, brewed or Cold brew before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Coffee, brewed by 6:22 PM, last Cold brew by 12:49 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 — Coffee, brewed: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy 171890), checked 2026-10-13. 40 mg per 100 g × 237 g (8 fl oz).
Source — Cold brew: CSPI caffeine chart (Starbucks Cold Brew, 16 oz grande), checked 2026-10-13. Typical value from Starbucks' grande cold brew.