Rule of thumb · HealthNº 109 / 242

A single espresso has less caffeine than a mug of filter coffee: the mug has half as much again

Does espresso have more caffeine than coffee?

A single espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine and a mug of filter coffee about 95, so the mug has half as much again.

Why it works

A shot is 30 mL and a mug is 240 mL: the espresso has about 2.1 mg of caffeine per millilitre and the filter coffee about 0.4, so espresso is stronger by volume but a much smaller drink.

When it fails

Brewing varies: a mug of filter coffee runs from about 95 to 200 mg depending on the beans, the grind and the brew, and a double espresso, at 126 mg, has more than a mug of the weaker kind.

Do it exactly

Estimate with the rule, then check it against the calculator that models it properly.

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