How much caffeine is okay?
The short answer
Under about 200 mg a day is ACOG's pregnancy limit — roughly two home-brewed cups, though one large coffeehouse coffee can exceed it. A limit to stay under, not something that helps.
What to know
- Caffeine content varies enormously between drinks, and most people underestimate their intake.
- Cutting below the limit has not been shown to improve anything.
- The research here observes what women drank rather than assigning it, which makes it harder to interpret.
- Ask whether anything in your history is a reason to be stricter.
Read the full explanation
How much is in what
| Drink or food | Caffeine |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee, 8 oz | about 96 mg |
| Coffeehouse coffee, 12 oz | 113–247 mg |
| Espresso, 1 shot | about 63 mg |
| Black tea, 8 oz | about 48 mg |
| Green tea, 8 oz | about 29 mg |
| Cola, 12 oz | 23–83 mg |
| Energy drink, 8 oz | about 79 mg, and varies widely |
| Decaf coffee, 8 oz | about 1–2 mg |
| Dark chocolate (70–85%), 1 oz | about 23 mg |
So 200 mg is about two 8-ounce cups of home-brewed coffee — while a single large coffeehouse coffee can be over the limit on its own.
Your partner too
Emerging evidence In one study of 344 couples trying naturally, more than two caffeinated drinks a day before conception — by either partner — was linked to a higher chance of miscarriage. It's a single observational study, but it's a reason for both of you to keep it moderate.
What the evidence is based on
ACOG's position is that under 200 mg a day doesn't appear to be a major factor in miscarriage or preterm birth. In IVF, a 2022 analysis found no link between either partner's caffeine and success rates. Think of 200 mg as an upper limit to stay under, not something that helps you conceive.
What the research shows
How much caffeine is reasonable while trying to conceive and in pregnancy?
This was studied properly, and it did not show the benefit people expect. That's a finding, not a gap.
Who was studied. Pregnant women, largely in observational studies of caffeine intake and pregnancy outcomes.
Outcome measured. Pregnancy loss
What was found. ACOG considers moderate consumption - under about 200 mg a day, about two 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee - not to be a major contributing factor in miscarriage. Evidence at higher intakes is less reassuring and less consistent.
Main limitation. Observational, and women who miscarry may reduce their intake because of symptoms.
Why this rating?
Observational evidence, where women who miscarry may reduce intake because of symptoms - an important source of bias that runs in both directions. Rated moderate because a major body has evaluated the whole body of evidence and set a threshold.
Questions for your doctor
Edit any of these before you add it — they're yours. Your list stays in this browser, and you can print a one-page sheet from it.
- Is there a reason in my history to be stricter than the usual guidance?
- Does caffeine interact with anything I'm taking?
Sources
- ACOG Committee Opinion 462, Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy
- FDA, Spilling the beans: how much caffeine is too much?
- Mayo Clinic, Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more
- NICHD, Couples' caffeine before conception and miscarriage (LIFE study), 2016
- Rao et al., Alcohol, caffeine and IVF outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis, 2022