Caffeine Free Coca-Cola vs Barq's root beer: which has more caffeine?

Caffeine Free Coca-Cola vs Barq's root beer: which has more caffeine?

Barq's root beer has more caffeine than Caffeine Free Coca-Cola: 22mg vs 0mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 22mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.

Caffeine Free Coca-Cola vs Barq's root beer: the numbers

Caffeine Free Coca-Cola Barq's root beer
Caffeine per serving 0mg per 12 oz can 22mg per 12 oz can
Caffeine per fl oz 0.0mg 1.8mg
Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) n/a (caffeine-free) 18.2

Sources: Caffeine Free Coca-Cola's figure is verified in our Caffeine Free Coca-Cola caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Barq's root beer's figure is verified in our Barq's root beer guide against Coca-Cola brand data (source).

The concentration gap could not be simpler: Caffeine Free Coke has no caffeine at all, so the Barq's root beer figure of 22mg per 12 oz can is the entire difference.

Which one should you pick?

Pick Caffeine Free Coca-Cola when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Barq's root beer 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

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Gear from this guide

FAQ

Does Caffeine Free Coca-Cola or Barq's root beer have more caffeine? Barq's root beer: 22mg per 12 oz can versus 0mg per 12 oz can for Caffeine Free Coca-Cola.

Which is stronger per ounce? Barq's root beer, at about 1.8mg per fluid ounce versus 0.0mg for Caffeine Free Coca-Cola.

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