How much caffeine is in dark chocolate?

1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) has 23 mg of caffeine.

You would need about 4 of these to equal a cup of brewed coffee (95 mg).

Source: USDA FoodData Central · checked 10 Nov 2026

When did you have it?

Had at 3 pm, about 8.1 mg is still in you at an 11 pm bedtime. That should not affect most people’s sleep.

Bedtime

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Sizes

Size	Weight	Caffeine	Per 100 g
1 oz (28 g), 70-85% cacao shown above	28 g	23 mg	82 mg
1 bar (101 g), 70-85% cacao	101 g	81 mg	80 mg
1 bar (112 g), 60-69% cacao	112 g	96 mg	86 mg
1 bar (162 g), 45-59% cacao	162 g	70 mg	43 mg

Source: USDA FoodData Central · checked 10 Nov 2026

Latest time to eat it

For an 11 pm bedtime, 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) stays under the 50 mg most people sleep fine with, even late in the evening. The table works it out for other bedtimes and for how sensitive you are: it is the latest time to start one so that the caffeine left stays under the line all night.

Bedtime	Very sensitive under 25 mg	Average under 50 mg	Not very sensitive under 100 mg
9 pm	Any time	Any time	Any time
10 pm	Any time	Any time	Any time
11 pm	Any time	Any time	Any time
Midnight	Any time	Any time	Any time
1 am	Any time	Any time	Any time

For 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao), average clearance (half-life 5 h), 8 hours of sleep. "Any time" means even one at bedtime stays under the line.

How long it lasts

The caffeine from 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) peaks in your blood about 75 minutes after you start it, at roughly 20 mg. Half of it is gone in about 5 hours for an average adult; that ranges from roughly 3 to 7 hours, and longer in pregnancy or with some medicines.

Time after	3 hours	6 hours	9 hours	12 hours
Still in you	16 mg	11 mg	7 mg	4.6 mg

So one had at 3 pm leaves about 8.1 mg at 11 pm. How long caffeine lasts explains the curve.

How it compares

Dark chocolate is stronger than 72% of the 37 foods we track, by caffeine per serving.

To reach 400 mg in a day you would need about 17 of these.

Less caffeine

Chocolate Chip Muffin 20 mg, 1 large muffin
Chocolate-Covered Almonds 19 mg, 1 cup
Chocolate-Covered Peanuts 19 mg, 1 cup

More caffeine

M&M's Milk Chocolate 29 mg, 1 cup
Flourless Chocolate Cake 30 mg, 1 cup
Coffee Ice Cream 30 to 50 mg, 2/3 cup, super-premium

FAQ

Is dark chocolate high in caffeine?

No, it is low. 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) has 23 mg, which is 24% of the 95 mg in an 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee.

How much caffeine is in 1 bar, 70-85% cacao of dark chocolate?

One bar (101 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) has 81 mg of caffeine.

How much caffeine is in 1 bar, 45-59% cacao of dark chocolate?

One bar (162 g) of dark chocolate (45-59% cacao) has 70 mg of caffeine.

Can I eat dark chocolate at night?

For most people, yes: even late in the evening 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) stays under 50 mg at an 11 pm bedtime.

How long does the caffeine in dark chocolate last?

It peaks about 75 minutes after you start it. Of the 23 mg, about 11 mg is still in you 6 hours later and 4.6 mg after 12 hours, for an average adult with a 5-hour half-life.

Does dark chocolate have more caffeine than a cup of coffee?

No. 1 oz (28 g) of dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) has 23 mg; an 8 fl oz cup of coffee has 95 mg.

Method and limits

The caffeine figure comes from USDA FoodData Central and the other sources listed above; recipes, brewing and batches vary, so a real serving can differ. The curves use a standard one-compartment model with an average 5-hour half-life and a sleep-friendly line of 50 mg; your own body may clear caffeine faster or slower. How it works has the details.

These are estimates for information, not medical advice.