Cappuccino Caffeine vs Coffee Caffeine: Which Has More?

5 min read OCT 21, 2025

Quick Answer


An eight-ounce brewed coffee has about 163 mg of caffeine. A twelve-ounce cappuccino with a double shot has about 154 mg. Brewed coffee packs more caffeine per ounce, but bigger cups can even things out. The real differences come from how each drink is made, the boldness of flavor, and the milk, not the caffeine count.

Key Takeaways


  • A double-shot cappuccino in a twelve-ounce cup averages 154 mg of caffeine.
  • An eight-ounce brewed coffee averages 163 mg of caffeine.
  • A cappuccino mixes espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
  • Regular coffee is brewed with hot water only.
  • Caffeine shifts with bean type, roast level, and brew method.
  • Cup size changes total caffeine more than the drink name does.

You scan the board at the cafe and weigh your pick. Drip coffee or a cappuccino. You want a strong lift, not a jitter crash. And you want it to taste nice, too. Here’s the simple answer you came for, plus a little context so you can order with zero second-guessing.

What is Coffee and How is it Brewed?

Coffee is ground beans brewed with hot water. Most people mean drip or filter coffee when they say β€œcoffee.” Hot water runs through the grounds and a filter. That’s it. Simple. Strong when you want it to be.

Caffeine in brewed coffee swings a lot. On average, an eight-ounce cup has about 163 mg. It can run from 64 mg to 272 mg based on how you brew it.Β 

Different methods, different ranges:

  • Drip or filter: 115–175 mg per eight ounces, average 145 mg
  • French press: 80–135 mg per eight ounces, average 107.5 mg
  • Percolated: 64–272 mg per eight ounces, average 200 mg
  • Turkish or Greek: 160–240 mg per eight ounces, average 200 mg

Beans matter a lot.

  • Coffea arabica: Lower caffeine, more layered taste. It makes up about sixty percent of global coffee.
  • Coffea canephora or Robusta: Nearly double the caffeine of Arabica, with a stronger, more bitter bite.

Roast plays a role, but not a big one. Dark roasts do not have more caffeine. Roasting trims the caffeine a tiny bit. The change is small.

What is a Cappuccino and How is it Made?

A cappuccino is espresso with steamed milk and foam on top. The classic idea is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Recipes may vary a bit from cafe to cafe.

Espresso is a tight, rich brew. Hot water at about 200Β°F moves through fine grounds under high pressure, near nine bars. That pressure pulls out a bold shot fast, with a golden crema on top.

A cappuccino starts with one or two shots of espresso, then warm milk, then foam. Some cafes dust cocoa or cinnamon on the foam for a nice finish.
Caffeine in a cappuccino depends on the shots:

  • Single shot cappuccino: 77 mg
  • Double shot cappuccino: 154 mg
  • Triple shot cappuccino: 231 mg

A standard twelve-ounce cappuccino with two shots has about 154 mg of caffeine, about eight grams of natural milk sugar, and about 97 calories.

Caffeine Content Comparison

Concentration: Espresso hits harder per ounce, about 63 mg in one ounce. Brewed coffee sits near 20 mg per ounce. But you sip much less espresso than drip.

Serving size: A twelve-ounce cappuccino with two shots gives about 154 mg. An eight-ounce drip averages 163 mg. Many cafes pour twelve- or sixteen-ounce drip cups, which can climb past 240 mg.

Bean type: Espresso blends often mix Arabica with some Robusta to boost body and crema, the tan foam on top. Robusta carries more caffeine, so the blend can punch above its weight.

Brewing variables: Grind size, water heat, brew time, and bean freshness all change the final number. Small tweaks can raise or lower caffeine in both drinks.

Bottom line. The caffeine gap between a double-shot cappuccino and a medium brewed coffee is small. Pick the taste and texture you enjoy. Your caffeine intake will be close either way.

Conclusion


The caffeine gap between cappuccinos and brewed coffee is smaller than many expect. A standard cappuccino with a double shot has about 154 mg of caffeine. An 8 oz brewed coffee has about 163 mg. That puts them close.

The real split comes from how each drink is made, the milk, the flavor, and the feel in the cup. Both can wake you up and help you focus. Your choice comes down to what you enjoy and the kind of coffee moment you want.

Ask your barista how many shots go into your cappuccino. That tells you the exact caffeine in your cup.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does a cappuccino have more caffeine than regular coffee?


No. Ounce for ounce, brewed coffee has more. A 12 oz cappuccino with a double shot has about 154 mg of caffeine. A 12 oz brewed coffee lands near 240 mg.

What gives more energy: cappuccino or regular coffee?


Both can lift your energy at common sizes. Milk in a cappuccino may slow how fast you feel it, so the rise can feel steadier.

How many shots of espresso are in a typical cappuccino?


Most shops pour a double shot into a standard 12 oz cappuccino. That gives roughly 154 mg of caffeine.

Can I get a cappuccino with less caffeine?


Yes. Ask for a single shot. That drops the caffeine to about 77 mg.

Does adding milk to coffee reduce its caffeine content?


No. Milk does not cut the caffeine. It can slow how fast your body absorbs it due to fat and protein.

Which has more caffeine, dark or light roast coffee?


By weight, light roasts edge higher, as the beans lose less mass in roasting. By scoop, dark roasts can seem higher, as the beans puff up and fill the scoop with fewer beans.

About the Author


This article was written by the Lifeboost Coffee team using current coffee knowledge and research. We used trusted sources, including Caffeine Informer, to share accurate caffeine data across common drinks.

Disclaimer: Caffeine hits people in different ways based on body size, metabolism, medicines, and tolerance. This guide is general info, not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your caffeine use if you have health concerns.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.

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