How much caffeine is in decaf espresso?
Decaf espresso has only a trace of caffeine: about 0.3 mg in a single shot (1 fl oz).
That's a small fraction of a cup of brewed coffee, far too little to matter at bedtime for almost anyone.
Source: USDA FoodData Central · checked 10 Nov 2026
What to drink instead in the evening
At under 1 mg, decaf espresso adds almost nothing to your bedtime number, even late in the evening. Other choices with no caffeine or only a trace:
- Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola no caffeine
- Fanta Orange no caffeine
- Fresca no caffeine
- Herbal Tea no caffeine
- Sprite no caffeine
- Starbucks Iced Passion Tango Tea no caffeine
Low but not zero: Decaf Tea (5 mg), GT's Synergy Kombucha (6 mg), Decaf Coffee (8 mg), AriZona Green Tea (9 mg).
Planning a coffee instead? When to stop drinking coffee works out the latest time for your bedtime.
How it compares
More caffeine
- Decaf Coffee 2 to 15 mg, 8 fl oz cup
- Nescafé Decaf Instant Coffee 15 mg, 12 fl oz cup
- RYZE Mushroom Coffee 48 mg, 1 cup, medium roast
FAQ
Is decaf espresso caffeine-free?
Not quite: USDA FoodData Central lists about 0.3 mg in Single shot (1 fl oz), a trace compared with the 95 mg in a cup of brewed coffee.
Can I have decaf espresso before bed?
Yes, for almost everyone. 0.3 mg is far below the 50 mg most people sleep fine with, even right before bed.
How does decaf espresso compare with Red Bull?
An 8.4 fl oz can of Red Bull has 80 mg of caffeine; Decaf Espresso has about 0.3 mg.
Which coffees made at home have the most caffeine?
Of the coffees made at home we track, Nespresso Vertuo Coffee has the most at 170 to 200 mg (7.77 fl oz cup (Coffee or Alto)), then Death Wish Coffee at 140 to 210 mg (6 fl oz cup (ground or whole bean)).
Method and limits
The caffeine figure comes from USDA FoodData Central; recipes, brewing and batches vary, so a real serving can differ. Bedtime numbers elsewhere on this site 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.