Pure Leaf black iced tea carries more total caffeine per serving (54mg per 18.5 oz bottle vs 38mg per 12 oz can), but ounce for ounce Pepsi is actually the stronger drink at about 3mg 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.
Pepsi vs Pure Leaf black iced tea: the numbers
| Pepsi | Pure Leaf black iced tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 38mg per 12 oz can | 54mg per 18.5 oz bottle |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.2mg | 2.9mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 10.5 | 7.4 |
Sources: Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Pure Leaf black iced tea's figure is verified in our Pure Leaf black iced tea guide against PepsiCo label data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Pepsi when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Pure Leaf black iced tea 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
- Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
- Pure Leaf black iced tea: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Pepsi or Pure Leaf black iced tea have more caffeine? Pure Leaf black iced tea: 54mg per 18.5 oz bottle versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.
Which is stronger per ounce? Pepsi, at about 3.2mg per fluid ounce versus 2.9mg for Pure Leaf black iced tea.
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.