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How Much Caffeine Is in Dark Chocolate?

Sourced caffeine figures for Dark Chocolate: every serving size, mg per 100 ml, the coffee comparison, and when to stop before bed.

TL;DR

Dark Chocolate contains 80 mg of caffeine per 100 g. That is about 84% of the caffeine in a typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee (about 95 mg).

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Dark Chocolate Caffeine Content by Serving

Figures are for Dark chocolate (70-85% cacao) (Generic (USDA reference)).

ServingVolumeCaffeinePer 100 mlLevel
100 g-80 mg-Moderate
1 oz square (28 g)-22 mg-Low

Source: caffeine figures from USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 170273 (SR Legacy), accessed 2026-06-11. Values can vary by batch, location, and preparation; check the label or the source for the latest figures.

How Dark Chocolate Compares to Coffee

At 80 mg per 100 g, Dark Chocolate delivers about 84% of the caffeine in a typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee (about 95 mg). For a wider comparison across drinks, try the caffeine comparison tool or browse the full caffeine database.

When to Stop Eating Dark Chocolate Before Bed

With caffeine's median 5-hour half-life, 100 g of Dark Chocolate (80 mg) needs about 3 h 24 min to fall under 50 mg, the level where most people can fall asleep normally. That puts the last call at 6:30 PM (18:30) for a 10 PM bedtime and 7:30 PM (19:30) for an 11 PM bedtime. Individual half-lives range from roughly 2 to 12 hours, so treat these as a starting point.

The Dark Chocolate sleep cutoff page has last-call times for four bedtimes, and the caffeine half-life calculator personalizes the curve to your metabolism.

Related Guides

Dark Chocolate Sleep CutoffLast-call times for four bedtimes Half-Life CalculatorModel your personal caffeine curve Caffeine DatabaseAll drinks, sourced and compared Comparison ToolCompare any two drinks side by side

Frequently Asked Questions

100 g of Dark Chocolate contains 80 mg of caffeine, per USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 170273 (SR Legacy) (accessed 2026-06-11). That is about 84% of the caffeine in a typical 8 oz cup of brewed coffee (about 95 mg).
It is a moderate dose. The FDA's guideline for healthy adults is 400 mg per day, so it would take about 5 servings of Dark Chocolate to reach the limit. Timing matters more than the single dose: 80 mg in the evening can still disturb sleep.
Caffeine's median half-life is about 5 hours, so the 80 mg in 100 g drops to roughly 40 mg after 5 hours and 20 mg after 10 hours. Individual half-lives range from about 2 to 12 hours depending on CYP1A2 genetics, medications, smoking, and pregnancy. Model your own curve with the caffeine half-life calculator.
For an 11 PM bedtime, have your last 100 g of Dark Chocolate by 7:30 PM (19:30) to be under 50 mg of residual caffeine at lights out, assuming the median 5-hour half-life. See the full bedtime table on the Dark Chocolate sleep cutoff page.

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Medical Disclaimer: Caffeine values are approximate figures from the cited public sources. Actual content may vary by batch, location, and preparation, and caffeine metabolism varies widely between individuals. This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. The FDA guideline for healthy adults is up to 400 mg of caffeine per day; the recommended limit during pregnancy is 200 mg per day. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.