International Delight iced coffee carries more total caffeine per serving (88mg per 12 oz serving vs 80mg per 8.4 oz can), but ounce for ounce Red Bull is actually the stronger drink at about 10mg per fluid ounce against 7. 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.
Red Bull vs International Delight iced coffee: the numbers
| Red Bull | International Delight iced coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 80mg per 8.4 oz can | 88mg per 12 oz serving |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.5mg | 7.3mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 5.0 | 4.5 |
Sources: Red Bull's figure is verified in our Red Bull caffeine guide against Red Bull label / Caffeine Informer (source); International Delight iced coffee's figure is verified in our International Delight iced coffee guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Red Bull when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and International Delight iced coffee 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
- Red Bull: the full caffeine guide
- International Delight iced coffee: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Red Bull or International Delight iced coffee have more caffeine? International Delight iced coffee: 88mg per 12 oz serving versus 80mg per 8.4 oz can for Red Bull.
Which is stronger per ounce? Red Bull, at about 9.5mg per fluid ounce versus 7.3mg for International Delight iced coffee.
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.