How Much Caffeine Is in a Red Bull? (250 ml, 330 ml, 500 ml)

Anyone who’s grabbed a Red Bull from a convenience store has probably wondered: just how much caffeine is in this little can? The answer depends on which size you pick. The standard 250 ml can delivers 80 mg of caffeine — roughly the same as a cup of home-brewed coffee, according to energy drink manufacturer Red Bull. But if you reach for a bigger can, that number climbs. This article breaks down the caffeine content across every common Red Bull size, compares it with coffee, and explains what those numbers mean for your health.

Caffeine in 250 ml Red Bull: 80 mg · Caffeine in 330 ml Red Bull: 105 mg · Caffeine in 500 ml Red Bull: 160 mg · Caffeine per 100 ml: 32 mg · Safe daily limit (FDA): 400 mg

Here is a quick reference table of key caffeine data.

How Much Caffeine Is in a 250 ml Red Bull?

A standard 250 ml can of Red Bull Energy Drink contains 80 mg of caffeine, according to the manufacturer’s official site. That’s about the same amount you’d get from a typical home-brewed cup of coffee. Red Bull also states that the Sugarfree version contains the same 80 mg per 250 ml can (Red Bull (GB)).

The implication: one 250 ml Red Bull is a moderate dose — well within the 200 mg single-serving threshold that the European Food Safety Authority considers safe for healthy adults.

How Much Caffeine Is in Different Red Bull Sizes (330 ml, 500 ml, 12 oz)?

Red Bull 330 ml caffeine content

• A 330 ml can delivers approximately 105 mg of caffeine, based on the official per-100ml value of 32 mg (CaffeineInformer).

Red Bull 500 ml caffeine content

• A 500 ml can contains roughly 160 mg of caffeine — again calculated using the 32 mg per 100 ml ratio.

Red Bull 12 oz (355 ml) caffeine content

• A 12 oz (355 ml) can has 114 mg of caffeine, as directly stated by Red Bull.

This means that choosing a larger can significantly increases your caffeine intake, and two 500 ml cans nearly reach the daily limit of 400 mg. If you’re trying to understand serving sizes, you might also find our guide on how many cups in a gallon helpful.

How Much Caffeine Is in Red Bull vs Coffee?

Caffeine in an 8.4 oz cup of coffee vs an 8.4 oz Red Bull

An 8.4-ounce (250 ml) Red Bull has 80 mg of caffeine. An equal serving of home-brewed coffee typically lands between 80 and 100 mg — so they’re essentially neck-and-neck. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that coffee’s caffeine content varies widely by bean and brew method; a single espresso shot (1 oz) contains about 63 mg.

The trade-off: coffee drinkers get antioxidants; Red Bull adds taurine, B vitamins, and sugar (unless you pick Sugarfree). But on caffeine alone, swapping coffee for a 250 ml Red Bull is nearly a wash.

Is 200 mg, 400 mg, or 500 mg of Caffeine Too Much?

Safe daily caffeine limits for healthy adults

• The FDA advises that up to 400 mg per day is “not generally associated with negative effects” for healthy adults.
• The European Food Safety Authority says single doses up to 200 mg are safe, and habitual intakes up to 400 mg/day pose no concern.
• Health Canada echoes the 400 mg/day threshold.

Effects of high caffeine doses

• 200 mg: moderate and safe for most adults.
• 400 mg: the upper end of the recommended limit.
• 500 mg: exceeds the daily limit and may cause insomnia, jitters, rapid heart rate, or digestive upset.

Why this matters: a 500 ml Red Bull (160 mg) is safe on its own, but if you also drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages, your total can sneak past 400 mg. Read labels and tally across all sources.

Does Red Bull Affect Sleep?

How caffeine in Red Bull can disrupt sleep

• Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. Consuming it late in the day reduces total sleep time and increases how long it takes to fall asleep, according to the FDA.

The pattern: the half-life of caffeine varies by individual (3–5 hours on average). A 250 ml Red Bull drunk at 6 PM could still have 40 mg in your system at midnight. For better sleep, the EFSA recommends avoiding caffeine at least 6 hours before bedtime.

Is Red Bull Addictive?

• Caffeine is a psychoactive substance. Regular use can lead to physical dependence, and stopping abruptly may cause withdrawal symptoms like headache, fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating (FDA).
• Red Bull’s combination of caffeine (80 mg) and sugar (about 27 g in a 250 ml can) may enhance its reinforcing effect, making it harder to cut back.

The catch: dependence develops gradually. If you regularly drink three or more Red Bulls daily and feel off when you skip, you may be experiencing withdrawal.

Can You Drink Red Bull with Celiac? (Is Red Bull Gluten-Free?)

Is Red Bull gluten-free?

• Yes. According to Red Bull’s official FAQ, the drink is gluten-free, lactose-free, and dairy-free. It contains no gluten-containing ingredients.

Is Red Bull lactose-free and dairy-free?

• Also yes. Red Bull does not contain milk, lactose, or any dairy derivatives.

For people with celiac disease or lactose intolerance, the standard Red Bull (and Sugarfree) is safe. However, limited-edition flavors like Iced Vanilla Berry — check the label each time, as recipes may differ. For more on gluten-free eating, see our What is gluten free? Diet guide.

What the experts say

“One 250 ml can of Red Bull Energy Drink contains 80 mg of caffeine, about the same amount as in a cup of home-brewed coffee.”

— Red Bull official website

“Red Bull is gluten-free, lactose-free and dairy-free.”

— Red Bull Q&A

“Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine in a 8.46 fl oz can. This equates to 9.46 mg of caffeine for every fl oz and 31.98 mg for every 100 ml.”

— CaffeineInformer

Three perspectives from the brand itself and an independent caffeine database — all consistent on the numbers.

What this means for the average Red Bull drinker: Red Bull is not the caffeine bomb some assume — a 250 ml can delivers 80 mg, comparable to coffee. But because cans come in larger sizes, the total can climb fast. If you stick to one standard can, you’re well within safety guidelines. If you regularly drink the 500 ml size or combine it with other caffeinated drinks, you may hit or exceed the 400 mg daily limit — with real consequences for sleep and potential dependence. The responsible drinker checks the label and monitors their total caffeine intake, treating caffeine like the active substance it is.

For comparison, the caffeine content in Monster is similarly high, with standard cans containing 150–160 mg per 500 ml.

Frequently asked questions