Coffee, brewed vs Single-serve pod (K-Cup): caffeine compared
Coffee, brewed (8 oz) has 95 mg of caffeine, 5 mg more than Single-serve pod (K-Cup) (8 oz, 90 mg) — 1.1× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Coffee, brewed is the stronger drink: 11.9 mg/oz versus 11.2 mg/oz.
| Coffee, brewed | Single-serve pod (K-Cup) | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 8 oz | 8 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 95 mg | 90 mg |
| Per fl oz | 11.9 mg | 11.2 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 24% | 22% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 4.6 h | 4.2 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 6:22 PM | 6:46 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 1:22 PM | 1:46 PM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 48% | 45% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Coffee, brewed or Single-serve pod (K-Cup)?
Coffee, brewed (8 oz) has about 95 mg versus 90 mg in Single-serve pod (K-Cup) (8 oz): 5 mg more, or 1.1× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Coffee, brewed or Single-serve pod (K-Cup)?
Coffee, brewed: about 11.9 mg per fl oz versus 11.2 mg for Single-serve pod (K-Cup). Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Single-serve pod (K-Cup) servings equal one Coffee, brewed?
About 1.1 servings of Single-serve pod (K-Cup) (8 oz) match the caffeine in one Coffee, brewed (8 oz).
When should I stop drinking Coffee, brewed or Single-serve pod (K-Cup) 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 Single-serve pod (K-Cup) by 6:46 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 — Single-serve pod (K-Cup): CSPI caffeine chart (Keurig K-Cup, most varieties), checked 2026-10-13. 75–150 mg per pod (8 oz). Published range 75–150 mg.