Coffee, brewed vs Iced coffee: caffeine compared
Iced coffee (16 oz) has 185 mg of caffeine, 90 mg more than Coffee, brewed (8 oz, 95 mg) — 1.9× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Coffee, brewed is the stronger drink: 11.9 mg/oz versus 11.6 mg/oz.
| Coffee, brewed | Iced coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 8 oz | 16 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 95 mg | 185 mg |
| Per fl oz | 11.9 mg | 11.6 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 24% | 46% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 4.2 | 2.2 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 4.6 h | 9.4 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 6:22 PM | 1:34 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 1:22 PM | 8:34 AM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 48% | 92% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Coffee, brewed or Iced coffee?
Iced coffee (16 oz) has about 185 mg versus 95 mg in Coffee, brewed (8 oz): 90 mg more, or 1.9× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Coffee, brewed or Iced coffee?
Coffee, brewed: about 11.9 mg per fl oz versus 11.6 mg for Iced coffee. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Coffee, brewed servings equal one Iced coffee?
About 1.9 servings of Coffee, brewed (8 oz) match the caffeine in one Iced coffee (16 oz).
When should I stop drinking Coffee, brewed or Iced coffee 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 Iced coffee by 1:34 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 — Iced coffee: CSPI caffeine chart (Starbucks Iced Coffee, 16 oz grande), checked 2026-10-13. Typical value from Starbucks' grande iced coffee.