Last updated October 4, 2026 · Report an error
This tool compares your daily caffeine intake against published safety guidelines: the FDA/Mayo Clinic-cited 400 mg/day limit for healthy adults, the ACOG-recommended 200 mg/day limit during pregnancy, and Health Canada's 2.5 mg/kg body weight limit for children and adolescents.
How it works
Select your group (adult, pregnant, or child/adolescent) and enter your total daily caffeine intake. The tool compares it against the applicable guideline limit and shows what percentage of that limit you've consumed.
- Enter group.
- Enter daily caffeine intake (mg).
- Enter body weight (kg) — children/adolescents only.
- Click Calculate to see your results.
Examples
A typical coffee drinker
An adult consuming 300 mg of caffeine daily (about 3 cups of coffee) is at 75% of the 400 mg/day general guideline.
Who should use it
- Checking daily caffeine intake against public health guidance.
- Monitoring caffeine intake during pregnancy.
Industry applications
- Health and wellness
- Nutrition counseling
Advantages
- Covers three real published guideline groups.
- Shows exact percentage of the limit consumed.
Limitations
- Population guidelines only — doesn't account for individual sensitivity or health conditions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to count caffeine from tea, energy drinks, chocolate, and medications, not just coffee.
Best practices
- Total up ALL caffeine sources for the day (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, chocolate, some medications) for an accurate check against the guideline.
Tips
- If you're consistently near or over the limit, consider gradually reducing intake — caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches if stopped abruptly.
Frequently asked questions
The 400 mg/day adult limit is commonly cited by the FDA and Mayo Clinic; the 200 mg/day pregnancy limit comes from ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists); the children's limit is from Health Canada.
No — these are population-level guidelines. Individual tolerance varies, and some people should consume less regardless of the general guideline.