How much caffeine is in Starbucks Espresso?
A Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso has 150 mg of caffeine.
That's about one and a half cups of brewed coffee, and 38% of the 400 mg a day the FDA cites for most healthy adults.
Source: starbucks.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
When did you have it?
Had at 3 pm, about 53 mg is still in you at an 11 pm bedtime. That might affect your sleep.
Your whole day, every drink, in the free CaffeineIQ check. The iPhone app is coming soon.
Sizes
| Size | Volume | Caffeine | mg per fl oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 0.75 fl oz (22 ml) | 75 mg | 100 |
| Double shown above | 1.5 fl oz (44 ml) | 150 mg | 100 |
| Triple | 2.25 fl oz (67 ml) | 225 mg | 100 |
| Quad | 3 fl oz (89 ml) | 300 mg | 100 |
Source: starbucks.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
Latest time to drink it
For an 11 pm bedtime, most people should finish a Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso by about 2:35 pm. 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 | 7:35 am | 12:35 pm | 5:35 pm |
| 10 pm | 8:35 am | 1:35 pm | 6:35 pm |
| 11 pm | 9:35 am | 2:35 pm | 7:35 pm |
| Midnight | 10:35 am | 3:35 pm | 8:35 pm |
| 1 am | 11:35 am | 4:35 pm | 9:35 pm |
For a Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso, 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 a Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso peaks in your blood about 75 minutes after you start it, at roughly 128 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 | 105 mg | 70 mg | 46 mg | 30 mg |
So one had at 3 pm leaves about 53 mg at 11 pm. How long caffeine lasts explains the curve.
How it compares
Starbucks Espresso is stronger than 45% of the 90 coffee-shop drinks we track, by caffeine per serving.
Per fluid ounce (100 mg) it is stronger than 100% of them.
To reach 400 mg in a day you would need about 2½ of these.
Less caffeine
- Starbucks Dragon Energy Drink 125 mg, Grande
- Starbucks Energy Refreshers 125 mg, Grande
- Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Energy Refresher 125 mg, Grande
More caffeine
- Smoothie King Hulk Espresso 159 mg, 20 fl oz cup
- Starbucks Dubai Chocolate Mocha 165 mg, Grande
- Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte 170 mg, Grande
Same caffeine: Starbucks Caffè Latte, Starbucks Caffè Misto, Starbucks Cappuccino.
FAQ
Is Starbucks Espresso high in caffeine?
Yes. A Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso has 150 mg, which is 1.6 times an 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee (95 mg).
How much caffeine is in a Single Starbucks Espresso?
A Single (0.75 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso has 75 mg of caffeine, 75 mg less than a Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso.
How much caffeine is in a Quad Starbucks Espresso?
A Quad (3 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso has 300 mg of caffeine, 150 mg more than a Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso.
Can I drink Starbucks Espresso at night?
Not if you want to sleep well. Had at 7 pm, it leaves about 92 mg in an average adult at an 11 pm bedtime, above the 50 mg most people sleep fine with. The latest time for an 11 pm bedtime is about 2:35 pm.
How long does the caffeine in Starbucks Espresso last?
It peaks about 75 minutes after you start it. Of the 150 mg, about 70 mg is still in you 6 hours later and 30 mg after 12 hours, for an average adult with a 5-hour half-life.
Does Starbucks Espresso have more caffeine than Red Bull?
Yes. A Double (1.5 fl oz) Starbucks Espresso has 150 mg; an 8.4 fl oz can of Red Bull has 80 mg.
Method and limits
The caffeine figure comes from starbucks.com; 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.
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