Dr Pepper carries more total caffeine per serving (41mg per 12 oz can vs 28mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce brewed green tea is actually the stronger drink at about 4mg per fluid ounce against 3. 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 green tea vs Dr Pepper: the numbers
| brewed green tea | Dr Pepper | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 28mg per 8 oz cup | 41mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.5mg | 3.4mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 14.3 | 9.8 |
Sources: brewed green tea's figure is verified in our brewed green tea caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (source); Dr Pepper's figure is verified in our Dr Pepper guide against KDP product facts / Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick brewed green tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Dr Pepper 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 green tea: the full caffeine guide
- Dr Pepper: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does brewed green tea or Dr Pepper have more caffeine? Dr Pepper: 41mg per 12 oz can versus 28mg per 8 oz cup for brewed green tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? brewed green tea, at about 3.5mg 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.