How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?
Decaf is not caffeine-free. A cup of decaf has about 2 to 5 mg, a decaf espresso shot about 3 to 15 mg. See brands compared and why the method matters.
Decaf is not caffeine-free. A standard 8 oz cup of decaf coffee has about 2 to 5 mg of caffeine, and a decaf espresso shot has about 3 to 15 mg. For comparison, regular coffee is around 95 mg and a regular espresso shot about 63 mg. The FDA only requires that 97 percent of the caffeine be removed, so a trace always remains.
Caffeine in decaf coffee, by brand
| Decaf coffee | Size | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Most grocery decaf (Folgers, Maxwell House, home-brewed) | 8 oz | ~2 to 5 mg |
| Starbucks decaf (brewed) | Grande 16 oz | ~25 mg listed (~12 to 13 mg in lab tests) |
| Dunkin' decaf | Medium 14 to 16 oz | ~7 to 15 mg |
Caffeine in decaf espresso
| Espresso | Caffeine per shot |
|---|---|
| Decaf espresso (standard) | ~3 to 15 mg (average around 7 mg) |
| Regular espresso | ~63 mg |
Is decaf coffee caffeine-free?
No. To be labeled decaf in the US, coffee must have at least 97 percent of its caffeine removed, not 100 percent. The FDA allows up to about 15 mg per 8 oz cup. For most people that trace is negligible, but it adds up if you drink several cups, and it can matter if you are very caffeine-sensitive, pregnant, or drinking it late at night.
Why the decaffeination method matters
Not all decaf is made the same way. The two approaches:
- Solvent (chemical) methods use ethyl acetate or methylene chloride to strip the caffeine. They meet the 97 percent minimum, but they use a chemical solvent.
- Swiss Water process uses only water, temperature, and time, with no chemical solvents. It is the cleanest method, and the one to look for if you want chemical-free decaf.
If you are cutting back on caffeine, decaf is one of the most useful tools you have, because it lets you keep the ritual and the warm mug while the caffeine comes out. A water-process decaf like Swiss Water keeps it clean. (It is the decaf we built into the Knuckle Reset Kit for exactly this reason.) More on choosing one in the best decaf for quitting caffeine.
Can decaf keep you awake?
For most people, no. The few milligrams in a cup are far below what disrupts sleep. But if you drink several decafs late in the evening, or you are sensitive to caffeine, even a small amount can register. The Caffeine & Sleep Calculator can show how much is still in your system at bedtime.
Comparing with your other drinks? See regular coffee, espresso, and cold brew, or add up your real daily total in the free Caffeine Calculator.
Written by Mike Zagare · Published
Mike Zagare is the founder of Knuckle. He tapered off a 500 to 600mg-a-day habit and built Knuckle from that protocol.
Common questions
Does decaf have caffeine?
Yes. About 2 to 5 mg per cup of decaf coffee and 3 to 15 mg per decaf espresso shot. The FDA requires at least 97 percent removed, not all of it.
Which decaf has the most caffeine?
Among common options, Starbucks decaf tends to run higher than grocery decaf. Decaf espresso drinks with two shots add up.
Is decaf bad for you?
For most people decaf is fine. If you want to avoid chemical solvents, choose a Swiss Water process decaf.
Can I drink decaf at night?
Usually yes, the caffeine is very low. If you are sensitive or drink several, check the [Caffeine & Sleep Calculator](/caffeine-sleep-calculator).
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