How Much Caffeine Is in Decaf Coffee? What You Should Know
November 13, 2025If you’re trying to cut down your caffeine intake, you may be wondering: how much caffeine is in decaf coffee?
The short answer: decaffeinated coffee is not completely caffeine‑free. An 8-oz cup of decaf typically contains about 6–7 mg of caffeine (compared to ~95 mg in a regular 8-oz cup).
In this article, you will learn:
- How Much Caffeine is in Coffee vs. Decaf?
- Caffeine in Decaf Espresso: Is there a Difference?
- How Much Decaf Coffee Should You Drink
- How to Choose the Best Decaf Coffee
How Much Caffeine is in Coffee vs Decaf?
The average 8-oz cup of coffee contains 95mg of caffeine, although the amount of caffeine can range from a minimum of 70mg to a high of 165mg.
As for decaf, the average 8-oz cup contains 7mg of caffeine, with a range of 3mg to 15.8 mg.
Why is there such a range when it comes to the amount of caffeine in your coffee? It mainly depends on two factors: the roast and brew method.
Let’s start with how the roasting process affects caffeine levels. All roasted coffee beans contain the same amount of caffeine, but when a bean is roasted, its density changes. The longer a bean roasts, the darker its color gets, the lighter its weight becomes, and the larger its size gets.
This means that the caffeine difference in a cup of coffee comes down to whether you’re measuring your beans by volume or weight.
If measuring by volume using a coffee bean scoop, the light roast beans are smaller and denser, resulting in more beans per scoop. Conversely, a scoop of the dark roast beans, which are larger, will result in fewer beans per scoop. Because caffeine levels remain the same despite roasting time, the scoop with more beans (the light beans) will have more caffeine.
On the other hand, if you’re measuring coffee beans by weight using a scale, the dark roast beans will provide a more caffeinated brew. As we discussed, the dark roast beans weigh less; therefore, it takes more dark roast beans than light roast to reach the desired weight.
The other factor that contributes to caffeine levels in a cup of coffee is the brew method. Typically, espresso contains the least amount of caffeine (47-64mg per 1oz), and cold brew will have the most (around 212mg per 8oz), with regular coffee falling in between. This difference is a result of the amount of time the water spends hanging out with the beans. A longer brew time means more caffeine!
Caffeine in Decaf Espresso: Is there a Difference?
1 oz of decaf espresso can contain 3mg of caffeine on the low end and up to 15mg on the high end. Compare that with an 8-oz cup of hot brew decaf containing between 6mg and 6.6mg. Depending on the type you choose, decaf espresso could either have more or less caffeine than your average decaf coffee.
How Much Decaf Coffee Should You Drink
Up to 400mg of caffeine per day is safe for most adults. That's roughly four cups of caffeinated coffee or approximately 57 cups of decaf. Since 97% of the caffeine is removed from decaf coffee, the effects are negligible, so go crazy!
That being said, however, some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. If your morning brew comes with side effects like nervousness, irritability, headaches, stomach aches, insomnia, frequent urination, or a heart rate increase, it could be a sign that your coffee consumption may be resulting in more caffeine than your body can handle. If you notice any of these side effects, scale back the amount of coffee you're consuming until they go away or consult your doctor. For more about coffee and health, see our article: Is Coffee Bad for You? Mold & Mycotoxin Risks + How to Choose Clean Beans
How to Choose the Best Decaf Coffee
One last myth to bust: all decaffeinated coffee undergoes a chemical process that makes coffee taste funny and is less healthy. Not true!
Yes, there are a lot of decaffeinated coffees out there that are subjected to chemical solvents in order to directly or indirectly remove the caffeine. These are the decaf coffees you want to avoid.
However, healthy, chemical-free decaf coffee does exist. Look for decaf that is labeled “Swiss” or “Swiss Water,” which means that the Swiss Water Process was used to remove nearly all the caffeine.
What is the Swiss Water Process? It’s no alchemy, just chemistry hard at work. In a nutshell, the Swiss Water Process soaks raw coffee beans in a solution of Green Coffee Extract, and the caffeine in the beans naturally moves towards the solution. No added solvents or nasty chemicals here, resulting in a decaf coffee that’s as good for you as its caffeinated counterpart!
If you're looking for the best decaf coffee, check out our new Clean Decaf! Each batch of beans is decaffeinated using the Swiss Water Process, then meticulously roasted and tested to ensure you get maximum health benefits. Clean Decaf is mold and mycotoxin-free and contains 200% more antioxidants than your average cup of coffee, so you can feel confident knowing you’re getting a cup of decaf coffee that’s as tasty and pure as it is good for you!
Explore our Decaf Coffee product page and find options that use the Swiss Water Process.
Related Articles
• Swiss Water Decaf Coffee: The Cleanest, Chemical-Free Decaf Method Explained
How Much Caffeine is in Coffee vs Decaf?
- Is decaf coffee caffeine‑free? No — decaf coffee still contains a small amount of caffeine. On average, an 8-oz cup of decaf contains about 6–7 mg, versus ~95 mg for regular coffee.
- How does the caffeine in decaf compare to regular coffee? Regular coffee typically has 70‑165 mg per 8-oz cup, while decaf averages around 3‑15 mg depending on beans and brew method.
- Does brewing method affect caffeine content in decaf coffee? Yes — factors like roast level and brew method (espresso vs drip vs cold brew) affect caffeine levels even for decaf beans.
- How many cups of decaf coffee are safe per day? Most adults can safely consume up to ~400 mg of caffeine per day (regular coffee equivalent). Since decaf has ~97% less caffeine, this means many decaf cups would remain within safe limits — though individual sensitivity varies.
- How do I choose the best decaf coffee? Look for decaf labelled using the Swiss Water Process (a chemical‑free method), check for mold/mycotoxin‑free certification, and pick beans roasted and tested for purity.
The content on this blog and any accompanying materials are for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding your health. Products sold by Natural Force are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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