Coca-Cola Classic vs Pepsi vs Dr Pepper: which has more caffeine?

Dr Pepper has the most caffeine of the three at 41mg per 12 oz can, Pepsi sits in the middle at 38mg, and Coca-Cola Classic has the least at 34mg. The servings are identical, so the per-can numbers settle it outright: a 7mg spread from top to bottom.

Coca-Cola Classic vs Pepsi vs Dr Pepper: the numbers

Sources: Coca-Cola Classic is 34mg per 12 oz can per Caffeine Informer (source), and the figure is carried in our Coca-Cola Classic guide; Pepsi is 38mg per 12 oz can per Caffeine Informer (source), and the figure is carried in our Pepsi guide; Dr Pepper is 41mg per 12 oz can per Caffeine Informer (source), and the figure is carried in our Dr Pepper guide.

What a 7mg spread actually feels like

All three come in the same 12 oz can, so the gap is the whole difference. 7mg is less than half a cup of brewed coffee, which is the easiest way to size it if you already know your coffee tolerance. Switching from Coca-Cola Classic to Dr Pepper once a day changes your weekly intake by about 49mg.

The three head-to-head pages

Each pairing has its own page with the full math:

• Coca-Cola Classic vs Pepsi, head to head
• Coca-Cola Classic vs Dr Pepper, head to head
• Pepsi vs Dr Pepper, head to head

Which one should you pick?

Take Coca-Cola Classic when you want the smallest dose of the three, Pepsi when you want a middle number without thinking about it, and Dr Pepper when you actually want the 41mg and know how you handle it. If you drink more than one caffeinated thing a day, the useful move is adding the day up against the 400mg reference rather than judging each drink alone.

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

• The verified caffeine database
• Every drink compared: the comparisons index
• Compare any two of 120+ drinks

FAQ

Which has the most caffeine, Coca-Cola Classic, Pepsi or Dr Pepper? Dr Pepper, at 41mg per 12 oz can. Pepsi has 38mg per 12 oz can and Coca-Cola Classic has 34mg per 12 oz can.

Which of the three is strongest per ounce? Dr Pepper, at about 3.4mg per fluid ounce, ahead of Pepsi at 3.2mg and Coca-Cola Classic at 2.8mg.

How many Dr Pepper servings reach the FDA 400mg reference? About 9.8 of them, at 12 oz can each. The FDA cites 400mg a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. This is information, not advice.