Cold brew vs Iced coffee: caffeine compared
Cold brew (16 oz) has 205 mg of caffeine, 20 mg more than Iced coffee (16 oz, 185 mg) — 1.1× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Cold brew is the stronger drink: 12.8 mg/oz versus 11.6 mg/oz.
| Cold brew | Iced coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 16 oz | 16 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 205 mg | 185 mg |
| Per fl oz | 12.8 mg | 11.6 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 51% | 46% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 2.0 | 2.2 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 10.2 h | 9.4 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 12:49 PM | 1:34 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 7:49 AM | 8:34 AM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 102% | 92% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Cold brew or Iced coffee?
Cold brew (16 oz) has about 205 mg versus 185 mg in Iced coffee (16 oz): 20 mg more, or 1.1× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Cold brew or Iced coffee?
Cold brew: about 12.8 mg per fl oz versus 11.6 mg for Iced coffee. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Iced coffee servings equal one Cold brew?
About 1.1 servings of Iced coffee (16 oz) match the caffeine in one Cold brew (16 oz).
When should I stop drinking Cold brew or Iced coffee before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Cold brew by 12:49 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 — Cold brew: CSPI caffeine chart (Starbucks Cold Brew, 16 oz grande), checked 2026-10-13. Typical value from Starbucks' grande cold brew.
Source — Iced coffee: CSPI caffeine chart (Starbucks Iced Coffee, 16 oz grande), checked 2026-10-13. Typical value from Starbucks' grande iced coffee.