Source-backed comparison
Red Bull vs Coffee Caffeine: Which Has More?
Compare a UK 250 ml Red Bull with a representative 237 ml brewed coffee serving, including concentration and calculated half-life timelines.
| Measure | Red Bull Energy Drink | Brewed coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Named serving | 250 ml can | 8 fl oz / 237 ml |
| Market | UK | General reference |
| Caffeine per serving | 80 mg | 95 mg |
| Caffeine per 100 ml | 32.0 mg | 40.1 mg |
| Value basis | Manufacturer listed | Authoritative reference |
| Estimated after 5 hours | 40 mg | 47.5 mg |
| Absolute difference | 15 mg | 15 mg |
| Difference vs lower serving | 18.8% | 18.8% |
How to interpret the comparison
- The named UK Red Bull serving contains 80 mg; the general brewed-coffee reference contains 95 mg.
- These are similar liquid volumes, but coffee is naturally variable while the packaged Red Bull value is product-specific.
- The comparison describes caffeine quantity only. It does not compare health effects, sweetness, calories or individual response.
Calculated five-hour timeline
This table applies the same exponential half-life equation to both starting amounts. It does not show measured blood levels or predict which drink will affect a particular person more.
| Hours after serving | Red Bull Energy Drink | Brewed coffee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 80 mg | 95 mg |
| 3 | 52.8 mg | 62.7 mg |
| 5 | 40 mg | 47.5 mg |
| 8 | 26.4 mg | 31.3 mg |
| 10 | 20 mg | 23.8 mg |
| 12 | 15.2 mg | 18.0 mg |
Sources
- Red Bull GB product informationUK product page for the standard 250 ml can.
- USDA FoodData CentralRepresentative reference value; not a promise for every bean or brewing method.
Find lower-caffeine alternatives to Red Bull Energy Drink or compare drinks against a bedtime target.