Part of our Mushroom Coffee guide library.
Short answer: Yes, a little. Decaf coffee typically has 2 to 15 mg of caffeine in an 8-ounce cup, compared with about 95 mg in regular brewed coffee. In one study, decaf from coffee shops contained up to 13.9 mg per 16-ounce cup, and decaf espresso up to about 16 mg per shot. Decaf is made by removing most of the caffeine from green coffee beans with water, carbon dioxide or an approved solvent before roasting. It is much lower in caffeine, but not caffeine-free.
Decaf is a common choice for people who love coffee but not what caffeine does to their sleep, stomach or nerves. Here is how much caffeine decaf really has, how it is made, whether the solvents are a concern, and what decaf does and does not change.
What you'll learn
- How much caffeine is in decaf coffee and decaf espresso
- How decaf coffee is made, and what the FDA allows
- Whether decaf is easier on your stomach and sleep
- Who may want to skip coffee altogether
How much caffeine is in decaf coffee?
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decaf brewed coffee | 8 fl oz | Typically 2–15 mg | FDA |
| Decaf brewed coffee (database value) | 8 fl oz | About 2 mg | USDA FoodData Central |
| Coffee-shop decaf | 16 fl oz | 0–13.9 mg in one study | McCusker et al., 2006 |
| Decaf espresso | 1 shot | 3–16 mg in one study | McCusker et al., 2006 |
| Regular brewed coffee, for comparison | 8 fl oz | About 95 mg | USDA FoodData Central |
So a cup of decaf usually has a small fraction of the caffeine in regular coffee, but several cups or a large coffee-shop decaf can add up. For regular coffee, see how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee.
Is decaf coffee caffeine-free?
No. The FDA notes that "decaffeinated" does not mean caffeine-free, and that people who react strongly to caffeine may want to avoid decaf altogether (FDA). Even the same decaf drink varies: in one study, decaf espresso from the same coffee shop ranged from 3 to almost 16 mg per shot (McCusker et al., 2006).
How is decaf coffee made?
Caffeine is removed from green coffee beans, before they are roasted. The main methods use organic solvents, water or supercritical carbon dioxide (Ramalakshmi & Raghavan, 1999):
| Method | How it works (simplified) |
|---|---|
| Solvent methods | An approved solvent such as methylene chloride or ethyl acetate dissolves caffeine out of the beans, and the solvent is then removed. |
| Water process | Water is used to draw caffeine out of the beans, without an added chemical solvent. |
| Carbon dioxide process | Pressurized carbon dioxide is used as the solvent to pull caffeine from the beans. |
Roasting comes afterward, so decaf beans are roasted and brewed like any other coffee.
Are decaf solvents safe?
U.S. rules limit them. Methylene chloride may remain in decaf roasted coffee and decaf instant coffee only at levels up to 10 parts per million (0.001%) (21 CFR 173.255), and ethyl acetate may be used as a decaffeination solvent for coffee and tea under good manufacturing practice (21 CFR 173.228). If you prefer to avoid solvents, look for decaf labeled as water-processed or carbon dioxide-processed; some brands state the method on the bag.
Is decaf easier on your stomach?
For some people, it may be. In a study of 16 healthy volunteers, regular coffee increased acid reflux compared with water, and decaffeinated coffee caused significantly less reflux than regular. Interestingly, caffeine itself did not seem to be the cause; other components of coffee were (Wendl et al., 1994).
Decaf can still make you poop: in people who notice that effect, both regular and decaf coffee stimulated the colon within minutes (Brown et al., 1990). See why does coffee make you poop?
Does decaf affect sleep, blood pressure or hydration?
Caffeine is what makes coffee keep you awake, raise blood pressure and act as a mild diuretic, meaning it makes you urinate more (MedlinePlus). Because decaf has so little caffeine, these effects are much smaller for most people. If you are very sensitive, even the 2 to 15 mg in a cup of decaf may be noticeable, especially late in the day (FDA).
Is decaf coffee bad for you?
For most people, no. Decaf is simply coffee with most of the caffeine removed, and solvent residues are limited by federal rules (21 CFR 173.255). It can be a good fit if you want coffee's taste and ritual with far less caffeine.
Check with your provider if you need to avoid caffeine completely, for example because of a heart rhythm problem or certain medicines, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (MedlinePlus). If you are switching from regular coffee, cut back gradually to avoid withdrawal headaches (FDA).
Other lower-caffeine options
If you want some caffeine but less than regular coffee, half-caf, green tea, matcha and mushroom coffee blends sit in between. Compare them in does mushroom coffee have caffeine? and matcha vs coffee.
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Decaf coffee has no caffeine. Reality: Decaf typically has 2 to 15 mg per 8-ounce cup. It is low-caffeine, not caffeine-free.
Myth: Decaf is made with harsh chemicals that stay in your cup. Reality: Some methods use solvents, but U.S. rules cap methylene chloride residue at 10 parts per million, and water and carbon dioxide methods do not use those solvents.
Myth: Decaf will not affect your stomach. Reality: Decaf caused less reflux than regular coffee in one study, but it can still stimulate the colon in people sensitive to coffee.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does decaf coffee have caffeine?
Yes, a small amount: typically 2 to 15 mg in an 8-ounce cup, compared with about 95 mg in regular brewed coffee.
How much caffeine is in decaf espresso?
In one study, decaf espresso from a coffee shop contained about 3 to 16 mg per shot.
How is decaf coffee made?
Caffeine is removed from green coffee beans before roasting, using water, pressurized carbon dioxide, or an approved solvent such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride.
Is decaf coffee bad for you?
For most people, no. It is coffee with most of the caffeine removed, and U.S. rules limit solvent residues. Choose water- or carbon dioxide-processed decaf if you prefer to avoid solvents.
Is decaf coffee a diuretic?
Caffeine is a mild diuretic. Decaf has very little caffeine, so it has much less of this effect than regular coffee.
Can I drink decaf at night?
Most people can, since decaf has only a few milligrams of caffeine. If you are very sensitive to caffeine, even that small amount may affect your sleep.
Can you drink decaf while pregnant?
Decaf is much lower in caffeine than regular coffee. The FDA recommends talking to your health care provider about how much caffeine is right for you during pregnancy.
Related guides
- How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?
- Why does coffee make you poop?
- Does mushroom coffee have caffeine?
- Matcha vs coffee
- Why caffeine crashes happen
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. Talk to your health care provider about caffeine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, high blood pressure, GERD or anxiety, 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.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central: decaffeinated brewed coffee (FDC 171889), brewed coffee (FDC 171890).
- McCusker RR, et al. "Caffeine content of decaffeinated coffee." Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2006;30(8):611-613. doi:10.1093/jat/30.8.611
- Ramalakshmi K, Raghavan B. "Caffeine in coffee: its removal. Why and how?" Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 1999;39(5):441-456. doi:10.1080/10408699991279231
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 21 CFR 173.255, Methylene chloride.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 21 CFR 173.228, Ethyl acetate.
- Wendl B, et al. "Effect of decaffeination of coffee or tea on gastro-oesophageal reflux." Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 1994;8(3):283-287. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.1994.tb00289.x
- Brown SR, Cann PA, Read NW. "Effect of coffee on distal colon function." Gut, 1990;31(4):450-453. doi:10.1136/gut.31.4.450
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). "Caffeine".
