Tim Hortons brewed coffee vs espresso: which has more caffeine?

Tim Hortons brewed coffee carries more total caffeine per serving (140mg per 14 oz medium vs 63mg per 1 oz shot), but ounce for ounce espresso is actually the stronger drink at about 63mg per fluid ounce against 10. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.

Tim Hortons brewed coffee vs espresso: the numbers

Sources: Tim Hortons brewed coffee's figure is verified in our Tim Hortons brewed coffee caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); espresso's figure is verified in our espresso guide against USDA FoodData Central (source).

The concentration gap is the striking part: espresso packs roughly 6 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 1 oz shot finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.

Which one should you pick?

Pick espresso when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Tim Hortons brewed 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

• Tim Hortons brewed coffee: the full caffeine guide
• espresso: the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database
• Every drink compared: the comparisons index
• Compare any two of 120+ drinks

FAQ

Does Tim Hortons brewed coffee or espresso have more caffeine? Tim Hortons brewed coffee: 140mg per 14 oz medium versus 63mg per 1 oz shot for espresso.

Which is stronger per ounce? espresso, at about 63.0mg per fluid ounce versus 10.0mg for Tim Hortons brewed coffee.