Mountain Dew carries more total caffeine per serving (54mg per 12 oz can vs 37mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce brewed oolong tea is actually the stronger drink at about 5mg per fluid ounce against 4. 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 oolong tea vs Mountain Dew: the numbers
| brewed oolong tea | Mountain Dew | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 37mg per 8 oz cup | 54mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 4.6mg | 4.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 10.8 | 7.4 |
Sources: brewed oolong tea's figure is verified in our brewed oolong tea caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (source); Mountain Dew's figure is verified in our Mountain Dew guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick brewed oolong tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Mountain Dew 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 oolong tea: the full caffeine guide
- Mountain Dew: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does brewed oolong tea or Mountain Dew have more caffeine? Mountain Dew: 54mg per 12 oz can versus 37mg per 8 oz cup for brewed oolong tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? brewed oolong tea, at about 4.6mg 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.