How much caffeine is in a 16 oz bottle of Coke?

November 21, 2025 •

2 min read

According to product facts, a standard 16.9 fluid ounce bottle of Coca-Cola Classic contains 48 milligrams of caffeine. While a true 16 oz bottle is less common, this information provides a precise basis to determine the caffeine level of your favorite soda.

Quick Summary

A 16.9 oz bottle of Coca-Cola Classic has 48mg of caffeine, a moderate amount compared to coffee. Content varies between products and serving sizes.

Key Points

Caffeine Content: A 16.9 fl oz bottle of Coca-Cola Classic contains 48 milligrams of caffeine.
Not 16 oz exactly: The common single-serve bottle is 16.9 oz, but the caffeine for a true 16 oz would be approximately 45.4 mg.
Less than coffee: The caffeine in a 16 oz Coke is significantly less than the 95-150 mg found in an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee.
Diet Coke variance: A 12 oz can of Diet Coke (46 mg) actually has more caffeine than a 12 oz can of regular Coke (34 mg).
Daily Intake: The caffeine from one 16.9 oz Coke makes up about 12% of the 400 mg daily limit recommended for healthy adults.

Unpacking the Caffeine Content in a 16 oz Coke

When you grab a single-serving bottle of Coca-Cola, it’s most likely a 16.9 fl oz container, which is often rounded to '16 oz' for simplicity. This common size is important because, according to official product information, it contains a specific amount of caffeine. The caffeine content in a 16.9 fl oz bottle of Coca-Cola Classic is 48 milligrams. To determine the amount for a true 16 fl oz, you would perform a simple calculation: (48 mg / 16.9 fl oz) * 16 fl oz, which equals approximately 45.4 milligrams. This figure is consistent with other nutritional data for 16 oz Cokes.

How does this compare to other beverages?

Understanding how a 16 oz Coke's caffeine level fits into your overall consumption is key to making informed choices. For most healthy adults, the FDA recommends a daily caffeine limit of 400 milligrams. A single 16.9 oz bottle of Coke accounts for just over 10% of this recommended daily maximum, assuming a standard adult and no other caffeinated items consumed.

Differences in Coca-Cola products

It is important to remember that not all Coca-Cola products contain the same amount of caffeine. For example, a standard 12 oz can of regular Coca-Cola has 34 milligrams, while a 12 oz can of Diet Coke contains 46 milligrams. This shows that diet versions of soda can sometimes contain more caffeine than their regular counterparts, a fact that often surprises consumers.

List of Coca-Cola product caffeine levels

Coca-Cola Classic (12 oz can): 34 mg
Diet Coke (12 oz can): 46 mg
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (12 oz can): 34 mg
Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola: 0 mg
Coca-Cola Classic (16.9 oz bottle): 48 mg

Comparison Table: Caffeine in Popular Drinks


Beverage	Serving Size	Caffeine (mg)	Source
Coca-Cola Classic	16.9 fl oz	48 mg
Coca-Cola Classic	12 fl oz can	34 mg
Diet Coke	12 fl oz can	46 mg
Brewed Coffee (drip)	8 fl oz cup	95-150 mg
Energy Drink (avg)	8.3 fl oz can	77 mg
Black Tea	8 fl oz cup	40-70 mg

Health effects and considerations

While the caffeine in a 16 oz Coke is modest compared to a cup of coffee, it's still a significant stimulant. Moderate caffeine consumption can increase alertness and concentration. However, excessive intake can lead to jitters, restlessness, and disturbed sleep, especially if consumed later in the day. Combining caffeine with the high sugar content found in regular Coke adds another layer of health considerations, including potential weight gain and other issues. A single 16.9 oz bottle contains 200 calories and significant sugar, so balancing caffeine intake with overall nutrition is essential. The Mayo Clinic provides useful guidelines on daily caffeine intake and potential side effects.

Conclusion

To summarize, a standard 16.9 oz bottle of Coca-Cola Classic contains 48 milligrams of caffeine. This is more than a 12 oz can of regular Coke but less than a standard 8 oz cup of brewed coffee. Understanding this difference is crucial for monitoring your daily caffeine intake and its impact on your health. While a moderate amount of caffeine can be a harmless pick-me-up, it’s important to be mindful of both the caffeine and sugar content, and consider healthier hydration options like water when possible.

Mayo Clinic reference

Frequently Asked Questions

A 16.9 oz bottle of Coke contains 48mg of caffeine, which is significantly less than the 95-150mg typically found in an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee.

Yes, a 12 oz can of Diet Coke contains 46mg of caffeine, while a 12 oz can of regular Coke has 34mg.

No, the caffeine content is proportional to the serving size. A larger 20 oz bottle will have more caffeine than a 12 oz can.

No, while both have a similar level of caffeine per 12 oz serving (Coke Zero is 34mg), the formulation is different, and slight variations may occur across different product lines.

Moderate consumption can lead to increased alertness, but excessive intake can cause jitters, restlessness, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Yes, Coca-Cola offers a variety of caffeine-free products, including Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola, Caffeine-Free Diet Coke, and Caffeine-Free Coke Zero Sugar.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and teens avoid caffeinated beverages. For adults, moderate consumption is generally considered safe.