UPTIME Energy has more caffeine than brewed black tea on both counts: 142mg per 12 oz can against 47mg per 8 oz cup, and about 12mg per fluid ounce against 6. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
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 UPTIME Energy: the numbers
| brewed black tea | UPTIME Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 47mg per 8 oz cup | 142mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.9mg | 11.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 8.5 | 2.8 |
Sources: brewed black tea's figure is verified in our brewed black tea caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (source); UPTIME Energy's figure is verified in our UPTIME Energy 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 UPTIME Energy 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
- UPTIME Energy: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does brewed black tea or UPTIME Energy have more caffeine? UPTIME Energy: 142mg per 12 oz can versus 47mg per 8 oz cup for brewed black tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? UPTIME Energy, at about 11.8mg per fluid ounce versus 5.9mg for brewed black tea.
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.