How Much Caffeine Is in a Shot of Espresso?

Both things are true, depending on how you measure. Espresso has far more caffeine per ounce than drip coffee, but a shot is small. Whether your espresso drink carries more caffeine than a mug of coffee comes down to how many shots are in it and how big they are.

This lesson gives you the standard numbers for single and double shots, compares espresso with brewed coffee and popular café drinks, and explains why two shots from two cafés can differ so much.

How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

A standard 1-ounce (30 mL) shot of espresso has about 63 mg of caffeine. The National Coffee Association cites that figure from USDA nutrition data, and Mayo Clinic lists the same amount. Shots in real cafés vary, so treat 63 mg as an average and expect anywhere from about 30 mg to 150 mg.

The spread comes from measurements of real coffee. A 2024 study in Nutrients by Wierzejska and Gielecińska tested espresso from a range of outlets. Servings averaged 34 mL, and individual shots ranged from about 32 mg to 153 mg of caffeine.

An earlier study by Ludwig and colleagues, published in Food & Function in 2014, bought espresso in Scotland, Italy and Spain. Average caffeine per serving at individual Scottish cafés ranged from 72 mg to 212 mg. Italian cafés, which served the smallest shots at a median of 20 mL, averaged 73 mg to 135 mg.

How much caffeine is in a double shot of espresso?

A double shot, or doppio, has about 126 mg of caffeine, twice the 63 mg of a single 1-ounce shot. Many coffee shops use a double shot as the default in lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos, so a "regular" café espresso drink often lands around 120 mg or more, before you add any extra shots.

At home, a double shot usually means a double basket in your portafilter. The National Coffee Association suggests a ratio of 1 gram of ground coffee to 2 grams of liquid espresso, pulled in about 20 to 30 seconds. A bigger dose of ground coffee is the main thing that raises the caffeine in your cup, so a generous double basket will tend to run higher than the average.

If you're tracking intake, count shots, not drinks. A large latte with three shots carries roughly 190 mg from the espresso alone, while a small cappuccino with one shot carries about 63 mg. Milk and foam add volume but no caffeine.

Does espresso have more caffeine than coffee?

Per ounce, yes. Espresso has about 63 mg per ounce, while brewed coffee has about 12 to 16 mg per ounce, according to USDA data cited by the NCA. Per serving, usually no. An 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has about 96 mg, more than a single shot and a little less than a double.

Sources: Mayo Clinic and USDA data via the NCA for espresso and brewed coffee; FDA for the 12-ounce range; café drink averages from Wierzejska and Gielecińska (2024), measured in Poland. US café drinks may differ.

The intensity you taste in espresso comes from concentration. Espresso uses much less water per gram of coffee than drip, so flavor, body and caffeine are all packed into a small volume. For a plain-coffee comparison across every brew method, see our lesson on caffeine in a cup of coffee.

Why does caffeine vary so much between espresso shots?

The biggest factor is the dose, meaning how many grams of ground coffee go into the basket. After that come the bean species, the shot size and, to a smaller degree, the roast. In one study, average shots at different cafés in the same country differed by nearly three times.

Here's what moves the number:

• Dose. More ground coffee in the basket means more caffeine available to extract. Café doses vary widely, which helps explain the ranges in the studies above.
• Species. Robusta naturally carries more caffeine than arabica. In the 2014 Ludwig study, one Scottish café's small, caffeine-heavy shots came from a robusta and arabica blend. Most specialty espresso is 100% arabica.
• Shot size and style. Spanish espressos in the Ludwig study had a median volume of 66 mL, more than three times the Italian median of 20 mL.
• Roast. The roast effect is smaller than most people think and depends on whether you measure by weight or by scoop. Lesson 04 covers it in detail.

Ristretto and lungo

A ristretto is a short shot pulled with less water, and a lungo is a long shot pulled with more. Both usually start from the same dose of ground coffee as a regular shot. We didn't find reliable published caffeine figures for either, so the dose of ground coffee is your best guide to how much caffeine is in the cup.

How many shots of espresso a day is too much?

For healthy adults, the FDA cites 400 mg of caffeine a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects. At 63 mg per single shot, that's about six single shots or three doubles. Strong café shots can reach the limit sooner. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA recommends asking your health care provider.

Remember that the 400 mg figure covers all caffeine, including tea, soda, energy drinks and chocolate. The FDA also notes that people vary widely in how sensitive they are to caffeine, and that some medications and medical conditions can increase that sensitivity.

The Ludwig study made a related point. Because shot size and strength vary so much, two or three café espressos could exceed the 200 mg daily limit the authors cite for pregnant women. If you're counting carefully, ask your café how many shots go into your drink, or pull your own and keep the dose consistent.

Which espresso beans fit your caffeine goals?

Most specialty espresso is 100% arabica, so caffeine per shot depends mainly on your dose. If you want less caffeine, use a decaf espresso or mix decaf and regular beans for a half-caf shot. If you want a classic full-strength shot, any well-roasted espresso blend works. Tasting notes below are the roasters' own.

• Onyx Coffee Lab Monarch is a washed Colombia and Ethiopia espresso blend with dark chocolate and winey berries listed.
• Coffee Bros. Dark Espresso Roast is a dark, natural-process Ethiopia and Brazil blend with dark chocolate and a hint of red fruit.
• Fabula Coffee Espresso is a dark, USDA Organic Colombia with caramel, praline and dark berry notes.
• Lifeboost Coffee Espresso is a dark, washed Nicaragua that the roaster calls smoky, bold and full-bodied.
• Brave Bean Coffee Sergeant's Sip Espresso Roast is a medium-dark Brazil described as a rich, versatile espresso.
• Onyx Coffee Lab Decaf Espresso Peru Norandino is a washed Peru decaf for evening shots, with chocolate, citrus and soft stone fruit listed. A decaf shot has about 1 mg of caffeine, per Mayo Clinic.

See every espresso-friendly coffee on the site, or read our guide to the best beans for espresso for help choosing a roast.

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