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Short answer: Most energy drinks have 150 to 300 mg of caffeine per can. A 16-ounce Monster has 160 mg, a 12-ounce Celsius or Alani Nu has 200 mg, an 8.4-ounce Red Bull has 80 mg, and 16-ounce cans of Bang, Reign and C4 Ultimate have 300 mg, according to each brand. The FDA puts energy drinks at 54 to 328 mg per 16 ounces, so one strong can can supply three-quarters of the 400 mg a day the FDA cites for most healthy adults.
Energy drinks are a go-to for the afternoon slump at work, but the caffeine in one can ranges from about the amount in a cup of coffee to as much as three cups. Below is a chart of popular U.S. energy drinks using each company's own figures, quick answers for Monster, Celsius, Alani Nu and Red Bull, how energy drinks compare with coffee, and how to use caffeine at work without wrecking your sleep.
What you'll learn
- How much caffeine is in Monster, Celsius, Alani Nu, Red Bull and other energy drinks
- Which energy drinks have the most caffeine
- How energy drinks compare with coffee, espresso and soda
- How to time caffeine on a workday so it does not hurt your sleep
- Safety concerns, including mixing energy drinks with alcohol
Caffeine in energy drinks chart
| Energy drink | Can size | Caffeine per can | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bang Energy | 16 fl oz | 300 mg | Bang |
| Reign Total Body Fuel | 16 fl oz | 300 mg | Reign |
| C4 Ultimate | 16 fl oz | 300 mg | Cellucor |
| Celsius Essentials | 16 fl oz | 270 mg | Celsius |
| Starbucks Tripleshot Energy | 15 fl oz | 225 mg | PepsiCo |
| Celsius | 12 fl oz | 200 mg | Celsius |
| Alani Nu Energy | 12 fl oz | 200 mg | Alani Nu |
| Ghost Energy | 16 fl oz | 200 mg | Ghost |
| C4 Energy | 16 fl oz | 200 mg | Cellucor |
| Prime Energy | 16 fl oz | 200 mg | Prime |
| 5-hour Energy (regular shot) | 1.93 fl oz | 200 mg | 5-hour Energy |
| Bloom Sparkling Energy | 12 fl oz | 180 mg | Bloom |
| Monster Energy (original) | 16 fl oz | 160 mg | Monster |
| Rockstar Original | 16 fl oz | 160 mg | Rockstar |
| Red Bull | 16 fl oz | 151 mg | Red Bull |
| Monster Zero Ultra ("White Monster") | 16 fl oz | 150 mg | Monster |
| Red Bull | 12 fl oz | 114 mg | Red Bull |
| Red Bull | 8.4 fl oz | 80 mg | Red Bull |
Figures are from each company's U.S. website, product page or label, checked on October 25, 2026. Some brands sell several can sizes, and formulas change, so check the label on your can.
How much caffeine is in a Monster?
A 16-ounce can of original Monster Energy has 160 mg of caffeine (Monster). Monster Zero Ultra, the "White Monster," has 150 mg per 16 ounces (Monster). Reign, also sold by Monster, has 300 mg per 16-ounce can (Reign).
How much caffeine is in Celsius?
A 12-ounce can of Celsius has 200 mg of caffeine, and a 16-ounce Celsius Essentials has 270 mg (Celsius). Ounce for ounce, a regular Celsius has more caffeine than a Monster.
How much caffeine is in Alani Nu and Bloom?
A 12-ounce can of Alani Nu Energy has 200 mg of caffeine (Alani Nu). Bloom Sparkling Energy has 180 mg per 12-ounce can and 100 mg in its 7.5-ounce can (Bloom).
How much caffeine is in Red Bull?
An 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull has 80 mg of caffeine, about the same as a cup of home-brewed coffee. A 12-ounce can has 114 mg, a 16-ounce can 151 mg and a 20-ounce can 198 mg (Red Bull).
Which energy drink has the most caffeine?
Bang, Reign and C4 Ultimate have the most in our chart: 300 mg per 16-ounce can. Each brand lists that amount (Bang; Reign; Cellucor), followed by Celsius Essentials at 270 mg (Celsius). Per ounce, the strongest is the 5-hour Energy shot, with about 200 mg in under 2 ounces (5-hour Energy). Across the market, the FDA lists 54 to 328 mg per 16 ounces (FDA).
Energy drinks vs coffee: which has more caffeine?
Neither always has more: per 12 ounces, the FDA lists 41 to 246 mg for energy drinks and 113 to 247 mg for brewed coffee (FDA), so a strong can and a strong coffee are similar.
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy drink | 12 fl oz | 41–246 mg | FDA |
| Brewed coffee | 12 fl oz | 113–247 mg | FDA |
| Caffeinated soft drink | 12 fl oz | 23–83 mg | FDA |
| Espresso | 1 shot | About 63 mg | USDA |
| NeuroCoffee (mushroom coffee) | 2 tbsp | 30 mg | Product Facts |
The big difference is what comes with the caffeine. Many energy drinks add sugar or sweeteners, and some add other stimulant-type ingredients such as guarana, which also contains caffeine (NCCIH). For more, see caffeine in coffee, caffeine in espresso and caffeine in soda.
How to use caffeine at work without hurting your sleep
- Time it early. Caffeine peaks in your blood within about an hour and its effects can last 4 to 6 hours (MedlinePlus). A meta-analysis suggests finishing a typical coffee, about 107 mg of caffeine, at least 8.8 hours before bed (Gardiner et al., 2023), and a 200 to 300 mg energy drink is two to three times that amount.
- Count your total. One 300 mg can plus a morning coffee can put you near or over 400 mg in a day (FDA).
- Go smaller for the 3 p.m. slump. An 8.4-ounce Red Bull (80 mg), a cup of tea or matcha, or a lower-caffeine coffee gives a lift with less risk of a sleepless night.
- Do not use energy drinks to replace sleep. Caffeine can mask tiredness, but it does not undo the effects of a short night. See brain fog and why caffeine crashes happen.
Are energy drinks safe?
For most healthy adults, an occasional energy drink that keeps your total caffeine under 400 mg a day is within the amount the FDA says is not generally linked to negative effects (FDA). But large amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart rhythm problems, and energy drink-related emergency department visits doubled between 2007 and 2011 (NCCIH). Rapidly taking in around 1,200 mg of caffeine can cause toxic effects such as seizures (FDA).
- Watch the sugar. A single 16-ounce energy drink may contain 54 to 62 grams of added sugar (NCCIH); sugar-free versions avoid this.
- Do not mix with alcohol. Caffeine does not reduce the effects of alcohol, and people who mix alcohol with energy drinks are more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving (CDC). They may feel less drunk while their coordination and reaction time are just as impaired (NCCIH).
- Talk to your provider if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, high blood pressure or anxiety, or take medication (FDA).
See how much caffeine is too much and does caffeine raise blood pressure?.
Lower-caffeine alternatives to energy drinks
- A smaller can: an 8.4-ounce Red Bull has 80 mg (Red Bull).
- Tea or matcha: a 12-ounce green tea has about 37 mg (FDA); see does matcha have caffeine?.
- Mushroom coffee: NeuroCoffee has 30 mg of caffeine per serving along with 300 mg of Alpha-GPC (Product Facts).
- Caffeine-free options: water, a short walk or a quick break often help an afternoon slump as well; see coffee alternatives.
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Energy drinks always have more caffeine than coffee. Reality: Not always. Per 12 ounces, the FDA lists 41 to 246 mg for energy drinks and 113 to 247 mg for brewed coffee.
Myth: Sugar-free energy drinks have less caffeine. Reality: Usually about the same. Monster Zero Ultra has 150 mg per 16 ounces, close to the original Monster at 160 mg.
Myth: Caffeine cancels out alcohol. Reality: It does not. You may feel less drunk, but your coordination and reaction time are just as impaired.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How much caffeine is in a Monster?
160 mg in a 16-ounce can of original Monster Energy. Monster Zero Ultra (White Monster) has 150 mg.
How much caffeine is in a White Monster?
150 mg per 16-ounce can of Monster Zero Ultra.
How much caffeine is in a Celsius?
200 mg in a 12-ounce can. Celsius Essentials has 270 mg per 16-ounce can.
How much caffeine is in an Alani Nu?
200 mg per 12-ounce can of Alani Nu Energy.
How much caffeine is in a Red Bull?
80 mg in an 8.4-ounce can, 114 mg in a 12-ounce can and 151 mg in a 16-ounce can.
What energy drink has the most caffeine?
Of the drinks in our chart, Bang, Reign and C4 Ultimate have the most, 300 mg per 16-ounce can. The FDA lists up to 328 mg per 16 ounces across the market.
Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot?
It is half of the 400 mg a day the FDA cites for most healthy adults, and about twice a typical cup of coffee. It is a lot to have in the afternoon if you want to sleep well.
Is it OK to drink two energy drinks a day?
Two 200 mg cans add up to 400 mg, the most the FDA cites for most healthy adults, before counting coffee, tea or soda. Two 300 mg cans would go over it.
How long does an energy drink keep you awake?
Caffeine peaks within about an hour and its effects can last 4 to 6 hours, but it can still disturb sleep many hours later.
Related guides
- Caffeine in soda
- How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
- How much caffeine is too much?
- How long does caffeine stay in your system?
- How to get rid of caffeine jitters
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners, and OurJrney is not affiliated with them. Caffeine figures come from each company's published information on October 25, 2026, and may change. Talk to your health care provider about caffeine if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, anxiety or high blood pressure, or take medication.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?" Content current as of August 28, 2024.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Energy Drinks. Last updated July 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Effects of Mixing Alcohol and Caffeine. May 15, 2024.
- Gardiner C, Weakley J, Burke LM, et al. "The effect of caffeine on subsequent sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis." Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2023;69:101764. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2023.101764
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Caffeine.
- Official product information from Monster Energy, Reign, Red Bull, Celsius, Alani Nu, Bang Energy, Bloom, Cellucor (C4), Ghost, Prime, Rockstar, 5-hour Energy and PepsiCo Product Facts (Starbucks Tripleshot Energy), linked in the chart. Accessed October 25, 2026.
