Espresso vs Cold brew: caffeine compared
Cold brew (16 oz) has 205 mg of caffeine, 142 mg more than Espresso (single shot, 63 mg) — 3.3× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Espresso is the stronger drink: 63 mg/oz versus 12.8 mg/oz.
| Espresso | Cold brew | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | single shot | 16 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 63 mg | 205 mg |
| Per fl oz | 63 mg | 12.8 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 16% | 51% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 6.3 | 2.0 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 1.7 h | 10.2 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 9:20 PM | 12:49 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 4:20 PM | 7:49 AM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 32% | 102% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Espresso or Cold brew?
Cold brew (16 oz) has about 205 mg versus 63 mg in Espresso (single shot): 142 mg more, or 3.3× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Espresso or Cold brew?
Espresso: about 63 mg per fl oz versus 12.8 mg for Cold brew. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Espresso servings equal one Cold brew?
About 3.3 servings of Espresso (single shot) match the caffeine in one Cold brew (16 oz).
When should I stop drinking Espresso or Cold brew before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Espresso by 9:20 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 — Espresso: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy 171891), checked 2026-10-13. 212 mg per 100 g × 30 g (1 fl oz shot).
Source — Cold brew: CSPI caffeine chart (Starbucks Cold Brew, 16 oz grande), checked 2026-10-13. Typical value from Starbucks' grande cold brew.