Sprite is caffeine free. A 12 oz can has 0 mg of caffeine, and so does Sprite Zero Sugar, per Coca-Cola's own Sprite product page. That has been true since the drink launched in 1961. There is no "regular" versus "extra" caffeine version hiding on a shelf somewhere. Every Sprite you can buy in the US is a lemon lime soda with zero caffeine in it.
Why people keep asking
Two reasons. First, plenty of dark sodas next to it on the same shelf do have caffeine, so the assumption carries over. Coca-Cola Classic has 34 mg per 12 oz, Dr Pepper has 42 mg, and Mountain Dew has 54 mg. Sprite sits in that fridge but does not play the same game. Second, Sprite has a sharp, almost buzzy citrus bite that some people read as a caffeine kick. That is the acidity and the carbonation talking, not a stimulant. If you feel wired after a can, it is the 38 grams of sugar in regular Sprite spiking and dropping, not caffeine.
The lemon lime category is caffeine free across the board. Sprite's main competitors, Starry from PepsiCo and 7UP from Keurig Dr Pepper, both run 0 mg too. So whichever clear soda you grab, you are not getting caffeine unless the label specifically says so, which for this category it never does.
Caffeine by the can
| Drink (12 oz) | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sprite | 0 mg | Coca-Cola |
| Sprite Zero Sugar | 0 mg | Coca-Cola |
| Starry | 0 mg | PepsiCo |
| 7UP | 0 mg | Keurig Dr Pepper |
| Coca-Cola Classic | 34 mg | Coca-Cola |
| Dr Pepper | 42 mg | Keurig Dr Pepper |
| Mountain Dew | 54 mg | PepsiCo |
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. How caffeine affects you depends on your own tolerance and health, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
What is actually in a can
Regular Sprite is short and blunt on the ingredient list: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium citrate, and sodium benzoate to protect taste. That is it. A 12 oz can lands at 140 calories, 38 grams of sugar, and 65 mg of sodium, again from Coca-Cola's product page.
Sprite Zero Sugar swaps the high fructose corn syrup for sweeteners and drops to 0 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 35 mg of sodium per can. Caffeine stays at 0 mg either way. So if you are reaching for Sprite specifically to dodge caffeine, both versions do the job. The only real choice you are making is sugar versus no sugar, not caffeine versus no caffeine.
One practical note for anyone using soda as a caffeine workaround: a caffeine free clear soda is a genuinely reliable pick when you want fizz in the evening without wrecking your sleep. Sprite, Starry, and 7UP all qualify. Ginger ale does too. The dark colas and anything labeled "energy" are where the caffeine lives.
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Related caffeine reads
- How much caffeine is in Coca-Cola
- Dr Pepper caffeine content
- The full Barista Life caffeine database
FAQ
Does Sprite have any caffeine at all? No. Regular Sprite and Sprite Zero Sugar both contain 0 mg of caffeine per 12 oz can, and Coca-Cola lists the drink as caffeine free.
Is Sprite Zero caffeine free too? Yes. Sprite Zero Sugar has 0 mg of caffeine, the same as regular Sprite. It just drops the sugar and calories.
Which lemon lime sodas have caffeine? None of the mainstream ones. Sprite, Starry, and 7UP all run 0 mg. Caffeine in soda mostly shows up in colas, Dr Pepper, and Mountain Dew.