Mello Yello carries more total caffeine per serving (51mg per 12 oz can vs 47mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce brewed black tea is actually the stronger drink at about 6mg per fluid ounce against 4. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
These are different categories of drink, which changes how the caffeine arrives. Energy drinks and sodas list an exact number because caffeine is a measured additive; brewed drinks vary with the beans and the brew, so their figures are compiled averages. The numbers here are the standard published values for each.
brewed black tea vs Mello Yello: the numbers
| brewed black tea | Mello Yello | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 47mg per 8 oz cup | 51mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.9mg | 4.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 8.5 | 7.8 |
Sources: brewed black tea's figure is verified in our brewed black tea caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (source); Mello Yello's figure is verified in our Mello Yello guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick brewed black tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Mello Yello when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- brewed black tea: the full caffeine guide
- Mello Yello: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does brewed black tea or Mello Yello have more caffeine? Mello Yello: 51mg per 12 oz can versus 47mg per 8 oz cup for brewed black tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? brewed black tea, at about 5.9mg per fluid ounce versus 4.2mg for Mello Yello.
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.