Does decaf have caffeine?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Decaf has caffeine, just a little: the FDA says decaf coffee typically carries 2 to 15 milligrams per 8-ounce cup, versus roughly 80 to 100 in a regular one. Mayo Clinic's chart puts brewed decaf at about 1 milligram per cup and decaf espresso at 1 milligram per shot. One or two cups are negligible for most people, but all-day decaf drinking and high caffeine sensitivity change the math. The FDA advises people who react strongly to caffeine to avoid decaffeinated drinks altogether. If you quit caffeine on medical advice, ask specifically whether decaf counts.
What to do
- Treat decaf as low, not zero: about 2 to 15mg per cup.
- Watch the daily total if you drink decaf all day or are highly sensitive.
- Remember green tea is not decaf at roughly 29 to 37mg a cup.
- Ask your doctor about decaf specifically if you quit caffeine for heart, pregnancy, or anxiety reasons.
Related questions
- How much caffeine is too much?
- Can caffeine cause anxiety?
- Why do I get heart palpitations lying down?
- Why do I feel tired after 8 hours of sleep?