Wondering how much caffeine is in Mountain Dew compared to other sodas?
Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored caffeinated soda, but how does its caffeine content compare to coffee and other soft drinks in 2026?
Quick Answer: How much caffeine is in Mountain Dew?
A 12-oz can (354 ml) of Mountain Dew contains 54 mg of caffeine, which is less than coffee (typically 80-100 mg per cup) but more than most sodas, such as Coca-Cola (34 mg).
If you’re looking for an extra boost, Mountain Dew Energy has even more caffeine, with 180 mg per 16-oz can (473 ml).
Before we dive into the full chart, you can use my Mountain Dew caffeine checker below to plug in your favorite flavor and how many cans you plan to drink today, and I'll give you a rough estimate of your total caffeine based on typical label values:
Keep reading this guide for a full breakdown of Mountain Dew caffeine across all the flavors, and how it compares to coffee, tea, and other energy drinks!
The caffeine content in Mountain Dew variants
Mountain Dew has dozens of flavors, so if this is your go-to caffeinated soda, you'll almost certainly find a version you like!
“Thanks for the article on how much caffeine is too much in a day!”
Let’s look at the Mountain Dew caffeine chart below to see how much caffeine some of these popular variants contain:
| Mountain Dew variants | Serving size | Calories | Caffeine |
| Original Mountain Dew | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 170 calories (711 kJ) | 54 mg |
| Diet Mountain Dew | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 0 calories (0 kJ) | 54 mg |
| Mountain Dew Amp | 16 fl oz (473 ml) | 220 calories (920 kJ) | 142 mg |
| Mountain Dew Baja Blast | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 170 calories (711 kJ) | 54 mg |
| Mountain Dew Code Red | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 170 calories (711 kJ) | 54 mg |
| Mountain Dew Energy | 16 fl oz (473 ml) | 25 calories (105 kJ) | 180 mg |
| Mountain Dew Kickstart | 16 fl oz (473 ml) | 80 calories (335 kJ) | 90 mg |
| Mountain Dew Live Wire | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 180 calories (753 kJ) | 54 mg |
| Mountain Dew Voltage | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 170 calories (711 kJ) | 55 mg |
| Mountain Dew Zero Sugar | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 0 calories (0 kJ) | 68 mg |
These are some of the most popular Mountain Dew options. Keep in mind that caffeine can vary by flavor, formula, and package size.
Many Mountain Dew sodas land in the ~50-60 mg caffeine range per 12 oz, which is on the higher end for mainstream sodas (though still typically below brewed coffee per serving).
To help compare, here's how Mountain Dew stacks up against other popular drinks:
| Beverage | Caffeine (Per Serving) |
| Green Tea (8 oz) | 25 – 30 mg |
| Regular Coca-Cola (12 oz) | 34 mg |
| Dr Pepper (12 oz) | 42 mg |
| Mountain Dew (12 oz) | 54 mg |
| Pepsi Zero Sugar (12 oz) | 69 mg |
| Black Coffee (8 oz) | 80 – 100 mg |
| Mountain Dew Energy (16 oz) | 180 mg |
So yes, Mountain Dew is caffeinated, and the exact amount depends on the flavor and serving size.
How does Mountain Dew compare to other beverages?
There are several alternatives to Mountain Dew.
Some contain significantly more caffeine per serving than you may expect, which is helpful to know if you're comparing labels or trying to stay within a personal limit.
Coffee
Coffee, for one, is an excellent source of caffeine and is made in many ways.
However, these different ways determine how much caffeine is in the drink and how many calories it contains.
Black coffee
Black coffee is made from roasted coffee beans that are ground and then brewed with hot water, but it can also be served cold.
Once the ground coffee releases its caffeine and flavor compounds into the water, it's ready to serve.
In an 8-oz cup (236.5 ml) of black coffee, there are between 80 and 100 mg of caffeine and only two calories (8.3 kJ).
One tasty way to drink black coffee is to make an iced long black with this easy recipe.
Latte
This coffee, made with espresso and steamed milk, is a popular option if you want a milk-based coffee drink (and its caffeine can vary depending on how many espresso shots are used).
On average, a 12-oz cup (354.8 ml) of latte has 128 mg of caffeine and 120 calories (502 kJ).
This will vary, however, depending on whether your latte contains a single, double, or triple shot of espresso.
Compared to the same serving size of Mountain Dew, a latte has significantly more caffeine and noticeably fewer calories.
Red Eye coffee
This coffee combines drip coffee and a shot of espresso, which increases the caffeine compared to regular drip coffee.
Red Eye coffee is a higher-caffeine option compared to standard drip coffee, so it's a useful comparison point in any caffeine chart.
If you are looking for more caffeine, consider trying a Black Eye coffee or a Dead Eye coffee as an alternative.
Here is a helpful article about the differences between the Red, Black, and Dead Eye coffees.
A standard 8-oz cup (236.5 ml) of Red Eye coffee contains 158 mg of caffeine and zero calories.
This is drastically different from the 12-oz can (354.8 ml) of Mountain Dew, which contains 54 mg of caffeine and 170 calories (711 kJ).
Tea
Tea is another excellent way to meet your caffeine needs in a more natural manner, as the caffeine in tea is derived naturally from the tea leaves.
Black tea
Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is known to have one of the highest caffeine contents.
Typically, an 8-oz (236.5 ml) serving of black tea contains 64 mg to 112 mg of caffeine and zero calories.
That’s more caffeine and 170 fewer calories in a smaller serving size than what Mountain Dew offers.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is made from semi-oxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
An 8-oz cup (236.5 ml) of Oolong tea contains between 29 mg and 53 mg of caffeine but only one calorie (4 kJ).
While Mountain Dew does contain slightly more caffeine, it also has significantly more calories.
Other soda brands
There are many other soda brands aside from Mountain Dew.
However, Mountain Dew is clearly among the most popular in this category. Let’s examine how it compares to its competition in terms of caffeine:
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is also among the most popular soft drinks worldwide. An 8-oz serving of Coke Zero contains 32 mg of caffeine.
It’s fair to say that Mountain Dew has the advantage in terms of caffeine content per serving.
Pepsi
Another top soft drink brand, Pepsi, has 38 mg of caffeine in a 12-oz serving (354.8 ml) and 150 calories (627 kJ).
This makes Pepsi slightly higher in caffeine content than Coca-Cola, but it still falls short of Mountain Dew’s caffeine amount.
Dr. Pepper
Dr. Pepper outperforms Pepsi and Coca-Cola in terms of caffeine content, containing a total of 41 mg of caffeine in a 12-oz (354.8 ml) serving, along with 150 calories (627 kJ).
Yet, Mountain Dew is still in the lead, with 54 mg of caffeine in the same serving size.
Energy drinks
Energy drinks are popular because they're a convenient way to get a larger dose of caffeine in one can.
Let’s look at how some of the most popular brands compare to the original Mountain Dew and Mountain Dew Energy:
| Comparison chart | Serving size | Calories | Caffeine |
| Mountain Dew | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 170 calories (711 kJ) | 54 mg |
| Mountain Dew Energy | 16 fl oz (473 ml) | 25 calories (105 kJ) | 180 mg |
| Original Red Bull | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 160 calories (670 kJ) | 114 mg |
| Monster Energy (green) | 16 fl oz (473 ml) | 210 calories (880 kJ) | 160 mg |
| Raspberry Lime Baya Energy | 12 fl oz (354.8 ml) | 90 calories (380 kJ) | 160 mg |
While the original Mountain Dew is inferior to the energy drinks used in this chart, Mountain Dew Energy is comparable.
This variation of Mountain Dew contains just as much caffeine as this chart’s highest energy drink brands, with far fewer calories than any of them.
FAQs about Mountain Dew and caffeine
Before I close off this article, let's quickly go over a few key questions people have when researching Mountain Dew's caffeine content.
Who knows, maybe this will answer one of the questions you had as well!
Which Mountain Dew has the most caffeine?
Mountain Dew Energy has the highest caffeine content, with 180 mg per 16-oz can.
How does Mountain Dew's caffeine compare to coffee?
A 12-oz can of Mountain Dew contains 54 mg of caffeine, while an 8-oz cup of coffee typically contains around 80-100 mg. Coffee has almost twice as much caffeine per ounce.
Does Mountain Dew have more caffeine than Coke?
Yes. A 12-oz can of Mountain Dew has 54 mg of caffeine, while Coca-Cola has 34 mg per 12-oz can.
Conclusion
Mountain Dew clearly ranks among the highest in caffeine content compared to other popular soft drinks on the market, with 54 mg in a 12-oz (354.8 ml) serving.
However, there are plenty of other alternatives for finding your caffeine fix.
Whether you stick with your choice of Mountain Dew variant or switch to a different soft drink, coffee, tea, or energy drink, finding a source of caffeine is as simple as driving to your local grocery store, coffee shop, or even gas station.
Do you prefer regular Mountain Dew or one of its stronger versions? Let me know in the comments!
Learn more about caffeine content
Curious about the caffeine levels in other drinks? Check out my other guides here:
