Diet Pepsi has more caffeine than Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) on both counts: 35mg per 12 oz can against 21mg per 16.9 oz bottle, and about 3mg per fluid ounce against 1. 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.
Diet Pepsi vs Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon): the numbers
| Diet Pepsi | Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 35mg per 12 oz can | 21mg per 16.9 oz bottle |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 2.9mg | 1.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 11.4 | 19.0 |
Sources: Diet Pepsi's figure is verified in our Diet Pepsi caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon)'s figure is verified in our Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) guide against PepsiCo product facts (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Diet Pepsi 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
- Diet Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
- Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Diet Pepsi or Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) have more caffeine? Diet Pepsi: 35mg per 12 oz can versus 21mg per 16.9 oz bottle for Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon).
Which is stronger per ounce? Diet Pepsi, at about 2.9mg per fluid ounce versus 1.2mg for Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon).
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.