espresso vs 5-hour Energy: which has more caffeine?

5-hour Energy (regular) has more caffeine than espresso on both counts: 200mg per 1.93 oz shot against 63mg per 1 oz shot, and about 104mg per fluid ounce against 63. 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.

espresso vs 5-hour Energy (regular): the numbers

Sources: espresso's figure is verified in our espresso caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (source); 5-hour Energy (regular)'s figure is verified in our 5-hour Energy (regular) guide against 5-hour Energy facts page (source).

Which one should you pick?

Pick espresso when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and 5-hour Energy (regular) 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

• espresso: the full caffeine guide
• 5-hour Energy (regular): the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database
• Every drink compared: the comparisons index

FAQ

Does espresso or 5-hour Energy (regular) have more caffeine? 5-hour Energy (regular): 200mg per 1.93 oz shot versus 63mg per 1 oz shot for espresso.

Which is stronger per ounce? 5-hour Energy (regular), at about 103.6mg per fluid ounce versus 63.0mg for espresso.