Does Mountain Dew Have Caffeine? Every Flavor and Size
Roon Team
Does Mountain Dew Have Caffeine? Every Flavor and Size
Yes. A 12 fl oz can of Mountain Dew has 54 mg of caffeine, per PepsiCo's product facts database (checked September 19, 2026). A 20 oz bottle has 91 mg. Baja Blast has 59 mg per 12 oz. Zero Sugar versions carry more, at 68 mg per 12 oz. The only caffeine-free option PepsiCo lists is Diet Mountain Dew Caffeine Free.
That 54 mg sits above the typical soda range; the FDA notes a 12 oz caffeinated soft drink typically contains 30 to 40 mg.
How Much Caffeine Is in Mountain Dew?
The standard 12 oz can has 54 mg (4.5 mg/fl oz). Zero Sugar versions run higher at about 5.7 mg/fl oz. Here is every variant PepsiCo lists.
Mountain Dew caffeine by product and size (PepsiCo Product Facts, checked 2026-09-19):
| Product | 7.5 oz mini | 12 oz can | 13 oz bottle | 16 oz | 16.9 oz | 20 oz bottle | mg/fl oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Dew (Original, Code Red, Live Wire, Maui Burst 12 oz, White Out, Real Sugar, Dirty Dew, Trolli Mango Pineapple Punch) | 34 mg | 54 mg | 59 mg | 72 mg | 77 mg | 91 mg | 4.5 |
| Diet Mountain Dew | 34 mg | 54 mg | 59 mg | 72 mg | 77 mg | 91 mg | 4.5 |
| Mountain Dew Zero Sugar (also Code Red Zero, Dirty Dew Zero, Baja Blast Zero, Trolli Zero) | -- | 68 mg | -- | 90 mg | 95 mg | 113 mg | 5.6-5.7 |
| Mountain Dew Baja Blast | -- | 59 mg | 63 mg | 78 mg | 82 mg | 98 mg | 4.9 |
| Mountain Dew Baja Cabo Citrus | -- | 56 mg | -- | -- | -- | 93 mg | 4.7 |
| Baja Cabo Citrus Zero Sugar | -- | 68 mg | -- | -- | -- | 114 mg | 5.7 |
| Mountain Dew Voltage | -- | 55 mg | -- | -- | 77 mg | 91 mg | 4.5-4.6 |
| Mountain Dew Dragon Fruit | -- | 55 mg | -- | -- | -- | 92 mg | 4.6 |
For larger containers (1 liter, 1.25 liter, 2 liter, 24 oz), PepsiCo labels caffeine per 12 oz serving, matching the 12 oz can figures. A product in PepsiCo's list does not guarantee it is on shelves in your area.
Does Baja Blast Have Caffeine?
Yes. A 12 oz can of Baja Blast has 59 mg of caffeine (4.9 mg/fl oz), slightly more than original Dew. The 20 oz bottle has 98 mg. Baja Blast Zero Sugar runs higher at 68 mg per 12 oz.
The Taco Bell question is trickier. PepsiCo lists Baja Blast fountain at 54 mg per 12 fl oz of drink (no ice). A fountain cup is not 12 oz of liquid; ice displaces a variable portion. The concentration is 4.5 mg per fl oz for fountain Baja Blast. Measure your liquid ounces and multiply.
Baja Blast Zero Sugar fountain is also 54 mg per 12 fl oz, lower than the canned version (68 mg). PepsiCo does not explain the difference.
Baja Blast Freeze
The Baja Blast Freeze contains 36 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz, not a carbonated soda. Other Dew Freeze flavors (Voltage, Purple Thunder) are lower still at 30 mg per 12 fl oz.
Why Does Mountain Dew Zero Sugar Have More Caffeine Than Regular?
Mountain Dew Zero Sugar has 68 mg per 12 oz vs 54 mg for the original. In a 20 oz bottle: 113 mg vs 91 mg. That is a 26% jump in concentration (5.7 vs 4.5 mg/fl oz).
PepsiCo does not publish a reason for this difference. Caffeine contributes a mild bitter note, so a higher dose may compensate for sweetener changes, but that is speculation.
Diet Mountain Dew stays at 54 mg per 12 oz, identical to original. "Diet" and "Zero Sugar" are different formulas with different caffeine levels. If you are tracking intake, read the label.
Does Mountain Dew Have More Caffeine Than Coke, Pepsi, or Coffee?
Yes, versus colas. No, versus coffee.
| Drink | Serving | Caffeine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Dew | 12 oz can | 54 mg | PepsiCo |
| Mountain Dew Zero Sugar | 12 oz can | 68 mg | PepsiCo |
| Coca-Cola | 12 oz can | 34 mg | Coca-Cola |
| Diet Coke | 12 oz can | 46 mg | Coca-Cola |
| Pepsi | 12 oz can | 38 mg | PepsiCo |
| Brewed coffee | 8 oz cup | ~95 mg | USDA FoodData Central |
| Mtn Dew Kickstart | 16 oz can | 90-92 mg | PepsiCo |
| Mtn Dew AMP Energy Original | 16 oz can | 142 mg | PepsiCo |
| Roon pouch (not a drink) | 1 pouch | 80 mg | Roon |
Mountain Dew Zero Sugar at 68 mg per 12 oz sits just under the FDA's GRAS ceiling for cola-type beverages: 0.02% caffeine by weight, or about 71 mg per 12 fl oz. An 8 oz cup of brewed coffee still delivers roughly 95 mg, so even a 20 oz Dew (91 mg) barely matches a small coffee. For a deeper breakdown, see caffeine in a cup of coffee.
Mtn Dew Kickstart, AMP Energy, and the Discontinued Mtn Dew Energy
Kickstart
Mtn Dew Kickstart 16 oz cans are labeled as two 8 fl oz servings (45 to 46 mg each), putting the full can at 90 to 92 mg. The 12 oz cans contain 68 to 69 mg. At 5.6 to 5.8 mg per fl oz, Kickstart's concentration matches Mountain Dew Zero Sugar.
AMP Energy
Mountain Dew AMP Energy Original packs 142 mg per 16 oz can (8.9 mg/fl oz). Cherry Blast goes higher at 160 mg (10.0 mg/fl oz). Those are energy-drink doses, comparable to a Monster Energy can.
Mtn Dew Energy (formerly Rise)
Mtn Dew Energy launched in 2021 as Mtn Dew Rise with 180 mg per 16 oz can. PepsiCo discontinued the entire line in early 2024, and it no longer appears in PepsiCo's product-facts database.
Is There a Caffeine-Free Mountain Dew?
Diet Mountain Dew Caffeine Free is the only caffeine-free Mountain Dew in PepsiCo's current product-facts list (0 mg; available in 12 oz can, 16 oz bottle, and 2 liter). It is a diet formula, not regular.
A regular (sugared) caffeine-free Mountain Dew does not appear in PepsiCo's database as of September 2026. Availability has historically been regional. If you spot one, check the label. For a broader list of zero-caffeine sodas, see our caffeine-free soda list.
How Many Mountain Dews Fit Under 400 mg a Day?
The FDA cites 400 mg per day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults. Simple arithmetic:
- Regular 12 oz cans (54 mg): about 7 cans to hit 400 mg
- Regular 20 oz bottles (91 mg): about 4 bottles
- Zero Sugar 20 oz bottles (113 mg): about 3.5 bottles
- AMP Energy 16 oz (142 mg): under 3 cans
With regular Mountain Dew, sugar is the constraint you will hit first. Check the nutrition label for sugar per serving.
Pregnancy
ACOG Committee Opinion 462 puts the threshold at less than 200 mg per day. That is roughly two 20 oz bottles of regular Dew (91 mg each = 182 mg). Talk to your clinician about what is right for your pregnancy.
Teens
The AACAP recommends at most 100 mg per day for ages 12 to 18. One 20 oz Zero Sugar bottle (113 mg) exceeds that. A 12 oz regular can (54 mg) stays under it. Pediatricians advise against routine caffeine under 12.
If you are pregnant, on medication, have a heart condition, or buying for someone under 18, talk to a clinician.
So, Does Mountain Dew Have Caffeine?
Mountain Dew has caffeine in every version except Diet Mountain Dew Caffeine Free. The standard 12 oz can delivers 54 mg, Zero Sugar delivers 68 mg, and large bottles push past 100 mg. All of those land above most colas but below coffee.
The takeaway for anyone counting: read the specific label. "Mountain Dew" covers dozens of formulas ranging from 0 mg (Diet Caffeine Free) to 160 mg (AMP Cherry Blast). Flavor, format, and "zero sugar" vs "diet" all change the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Diet Mountain Dew have caffeine?
Yes. Diet Mountain Dew has 54 mg per 12 oz, identical to regular. The only zero-caffeine option is Diet Mountain Dew Caffeine Free. Do not confuse Diet Dew with Dew Zero Sugar; Zero Sugar has 68 mg per 12 oz.
Does Mountain Dew Code Red have caffeine?
Yes. Code Red matches original Mountain Dew at 54 mg per 12 oz (4.5 mg/fl oz). Code Red Zero Sugar is higher at 68 mg per 12 oz.
Does Mountain Dew have more caffeine than Dr Pepper?
Yes. Mountain Dew has 54 mg per 12 oz; Dr Pepper has about 42 mg per 12 oz. Mountain Dew Zero Sugar (68 mg) is more than 60% higher than Dr Pepper. For a full breakdown of Dr Pepper's variants, see Dr Pepper caffeine by flavor.
How long does Mountain Dew caffeine last?
Caffeine's half-life in healthy adults is roughly 5 hours, meaning half the dose is still circulating five hours after you drink it. A 20 oz Dew (91 mg) can keep you alert for 3 to 5 hours depending on metabolism and tolerance. For more detail, see how long caffeine lasts.
Does the Baja Blast Freeze have caffeine?
Yes, but less than the soda. The Baja Blast Freeze has 36 mg per 12 fl oz, compared to 59 mg for a Baja Blast can. Other Dew Freeze flavors run 30 mg per 12 fl oz.
Is Mountain Dew an energy drink?
No. Mountain Dew is a caffeinated soft drink. PepsiCo sells energy drinks under the Dew name (AMP Energy, 142 to 160 mg per 16 oz), but standard Mountain Dew is classified as a carbonated beverage. Regular Dew at 54 mg per 12 oz sits under the FDA's GRAS ceiling of about 71 mg per 12 oz for cola-type drinks.
If You Drink Dew for the Caffeine, Count What Comes With It
A 20 oz Mountain Dew gives you 91 mg of caffeine. That is a real dose. It also comes inside a full bottle of soda, and it runs on caffeine's normal clock: peak at 30 to 60 minutes, trailing off in 3 to 4 hours, which is why the afternoon Dew becomes a daily habit.
Roon delivers 80 mg of caffeine (close to that 20 oz bottle) alongside 60 mg L-theanine, 25 mg methylliberine (Dynamine), and 5 mg theacrine (TeaCrine) in a sublingual pouch. Zero sugar (contains sucralose), zero nicotine. Methylliberine slows caffeine's clearance: in a randomized, double-blind crossover PK study (n=12), co-administration with caffeine cut oral clearance from 41.9 to 17.1 L/hr and extended caffeine's half-life from 7.2 to 15 hours, with no increase in peak concentration. That study used 100 mg methylliberine and 150 mg caffeine (roughly 4x and 1.9x Roon's doses), so the magnitude will differ at Roon's lower amounts, but the mechanism is directionally the same. The felt window is 6 to 8 hours, onset in 5 to 10 minutes. Trade-off: stop at least 8 hours before bed.
Roon is not a soda replacement. It starts from $9.16 per tin (12-tin subscription) or $15.00 per tin one-time. Keep the Dew for when you want a Dew. If what you actually want is the caffeine, a pouch carries it without the liquid.
Related from Roon
- Caffeine in a cup of coffee
- Does Sprite have caffeine?
- Caffeinated alternatives to soda
- How long caffeine stays in your system
Written by Roon Team
