Label numbers
How much caffeine is in soda?
A 12 oz can of Coca-Cola has 34 mg of caffeine, according to Coca-Cola US. Pepsi has 38 mg, Diet Coke has 46 mg, and Mountain Dew has 54 mg, according to the brands. Sprite, Fanta, and Caffeine Free Coca-Cola have none. The FDA puts caffeinated soft drinks at about 23 to 83 mg per 12 oz.
Not medical advice. QuitSoda is habit support for adults. If caffeine, sugar, pregnancy, medicines, or a health condition affect your plan, ask your clinician.
Caffeine per 12 oz can, by brand
Milligrams of caffeine per 12 fl oz, as published by the brand. Sorted from most to least.
| Soda | Caffeine per 12 fl oz | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Dew | 54 mg | PepsiCo product facts: Mountain Dew 12 fl oz |
| Diet Coke | 46 mg | Coca-Cola US: Diet Coke |
| Pepsi | 38 mg | PepsiCo product facts: Pepsi 12 fl oz |
| Coca-Cola Original | 34 mg | Coca-Cola US: Coca-Cola Original |
| Coca-Cola Zero Sugar | 34 mg | Coca-Cola US: Coca-Cola Zero Sugar |
| Coca-Cola Cherry | 34 mg | Coca-Cola US: Coca-Cola flavors |
| Coca-Cola Caffeine Free | 0 mg | Coca-Cola US: Coca-Cola Original page (Caffeine Free) |
| Sprite | 0 mg | Coca-Cola US: Sprite (caffeine free) |
| Fanta | 0 mg | Coca-Cola US: Fanta (caffeine free) |
Numbers checked Oct 26, 2026. Formulas, sizes, and fountain drinks can differ, so check the can or the brand’s page for your exact drink.
How soda compares to coffee and tea
The FDA lists these typical amounts per 12 fl oz (FDA: Spilling the Beans):
- Caffeinated soft drink: 23 to 83 mg
- Green tea: 37 mg
- Black tea: 71 mg
- Regular brewed coffee: 113 to 247 mg
The same FDA page says that for most adults, 400 mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects, and that sensitivity varies a lot from person to person. It also says that if you drink caffeine every day and want to cut back, it is best to do it gradually.
Quitting soda without a caffeine crash
Quitting soda and quitting caffeine are two separate choices. If your usual can had caffeine, many people find it easier to keep some caffeine from unsweetened tea or coffee while they drop the soda, then decide about caffeine later.
MedlinePlus notes that stopping caffeine suddenly can bring withdrawal symptoms such as headache, drowsiness, and irritability for some people (MedlinePlus: Caffeine). The soda withdrawal timeline describes what many people report in the first days.
Diet soda is worth a look here. Diet Coke has more caffeine per can (46 mg) than Coca-Cola Original (34 mg), so someone switching from diet soda to plain sparkling water may notice the caffeine change more than they expected.
Not listed yet
Dr Pepper, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero Sugar are not in the chart because we could not open a brand or USDA/FDA page listing their caffeine per 12 oz when this page was reviewed. We will add them once we can cite one.
Sources
- Coca-Cola US: Coca-Cola Original, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola flavors, Sprite, Fanta: brand caffeine statements.
- PepsiCo product facts: Pepsi and Mountain Dew: caffeine per 12 fl oz can.
- FDA: Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?: typical ranges and the 400 mg figure.
- MedlinePlus (NIH): Caffeine: consumer overview.
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Frequently asked questions
How much caffeine is in a can of Coke?
Coca-Cola says a 12 oz can of Coca-Cola Original has 34 mg of caffeine. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar also has 34 mg.
Does Diet Coke have more caffeine than regular Coke?
Yes. Coca-Cola lists Diet Coke at 46 mg per 12 fl oz and Coca-Cola Original at 34 mg.
How much caffeine is in Mountain Dew?
PepsiCo lists 54 mg of caffeine in a 12 fl oz can of Mountain Dew.
Which sodas have no caffeine?
Sprite, Fanta, and Coca-Cola Caffeine Free are listed as caffeine free by Coca-Cola US.
Is soda caffeine a lot compared to coffee?
The FDA puts caffeinated soft drinks at about 23 to 83 mg per 12 oz and regular brewed coffee at about 113 to 247 mg per 12 oz. So a can of soda usually has less than the same amount of coffee.