Starbucks Caffe Americano has more caffeine than Pepsi on both counts: 225mg per 16 oz grande against 38mg per 12 oz can, and about 14mg per fluid ounce against 3. 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.
Starbucks Caffe Americano vs Pepsi: the numbers
| Starbucks Caffe Americano | Pepsi | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 225mg per 16 oz grande | 38mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 14.1mg | 3.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.8 | 10.5 |
Sources: Starbucks Caffe Americano's figure is verified in our Starbucks Caffe Americano caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Starbucks Caffe Americano packs roughly 4 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 16 oz grande finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Pepsi when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Caffe Americano 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
- Starbucks Caffe Americano: the full caffeine guide
- Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Starbucks Caffe Americano or Pepsi have more caffeine? Starbucks Caffe Americano: 225mg per 16 oz grande versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Caffe Americano, at about 14.1mg per fluid ounce versus 3.2mg for Pepsi.
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