brewed coffee vs UPTIME Energy: which has more caffeine?

UPTIME Energy carries more total caffeine per serving (142mg per 12 oz can vs 95mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce brewed coffee is actually the stronger drink at about 12mg per fluid ounce against 12. 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 coffee vs UPTIME Energy: the numbers

Sources: brewed coffee's figure is verified in our brewed coffee 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 coffee 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 coffee: the full caffeine guide
• UPTIME Energy: the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database

FAQ

Does brewed coffee or UPTIME Energy have more caffeine? UPTIME Energy: 142mg per 12 oz can versus 95mg per 8 oz cup for brewed coffee.

Which is stronger per ounce? brewed coffee, at about 11.9mg per fluid ounce versus 11.8mg for UPTIME Energy.