Mountain Dew Zero Sugar has more caffeine than Dr Pepper: 68mg vs 41mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 27mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Dr Pepper vs Mountain Dew Zero Sugar: the numbers
| Dr Pepper | Mountain Dew Zero Sugar | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 41mg per 12 oz can | 68mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.4mg | 5.7mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 9.8 | 5.9 |
Sources: Dr Pepper's figure is verified in our Dr Pepper caffeine guide against KDP product facts / Caffeine Informer (source); Mountain Dew Zero Sugar's figure is verified in our Mountain Dew Zero Sugar guide against PepsiCo product facts (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Dr Pepper when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Mountain Dew Zero Sugar 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
- Dr Pepper: the full caffeine guide
- Mountain Dew Zero Sugar: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Dr Pepper or Mountain Dew Zero Sugar have more caffeine? Mountain Dew Zero Sugar: 68mg per 12 oz can versus 41mg per 12 oz can for Dr Pepper.
Which is stronger per ounce? Mountain Dew Zero Sugar, at about 5.7mg per fluid ounce versus 3.4mg for Dr Pepper.
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.
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