Pepsi carries more total caffeine per serving (38mg per 12 oz can vs 28mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce brewed white tea is actually the stronger drink at about 4mg 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.
brewed white tea vs Pepsi: the numbers
| brewed white tea | Pepsi | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 28mg per 8 oz cup | 38mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.5mg | 3.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 14.3 | 10.5 |
Sources: brewed white tea's figure is verified in our brewed white tea caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer / compiled (source); Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick brewed white tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Pepsi 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 white tea: the full caffeine guide
- Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does brewed white tea or Pepsi have more caffeine? Pepsi: 38mg per 12 oz can versus 28mg per 8 oz cup for brewed white tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? brewed white tea, at about 3.5mg per fluid ounce versus 3.2mg for Pepsi.
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.