Full Throttle has more caffeine than Mountain Dew on both counts: 160mg per 16 oz can against 54mg per 12 oz can, and about 10mg per fluid ounce against 4. 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.
Mountain Dew vs Full Throttle: the numbers
| Mountain Dew | Full Throttle | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 54mg per 12 oz can | 160mg per 16 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 4.5mg | 10.0mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 7.4 | 2.5 |
Sources: Mountain Dew's figure is verified in our Mountain Dew caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Full Throttle's figure is verified in our Full Throttle guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Mountain Dew when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Full Throttle 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
- Mountain Dew: the full caffeine guide
- Full Throttle: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Mountain Dew or Full Throttle have more caffeine? Full Throttle: 160mg per 16 oz can versus 54mg per 12 oz can for Mountain Dew.
Which is stronger per ounce? Full Throttle, at about 10.0mg per fluid ounce versus 4.5mg for Mountain Dew.
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.