How your Coffee Addiction Meter score is calculated

Your Coffee Addiction Meter score is a 0–100 number built from three main pieces: how much coffee you drink, how early you reach for it, and how strongly you feel you need it to function. It’s a playful, non-medical way to reflect on your caffeine habits.

The cups per day field is the core of the score. Each cup adds to a “caffeine load” value. A person who drinks 0–1 cups a day will naturally score much lower than someone who drinks 4–5 cups every single day. The meter gently scales this so that:

• 0–1 cups: Usually lands in the casual or mild range.
• 2–3 cups: Often lands in the functional coffee lover range.
• 4+ cups: Starts pushing your score into “high dependence” territory.

The extra espresso shots / energy drinks field adds another layer. Someone who has two regular coffees but no extra caffeine scores differently from someone who has two coffees plus energy drinks or extra shots. Each additional “boost” nudges the score upward to reflect that you’re not just sipping coffee – you’re stacking caffeine.

Two people might drink the same amount of coffee but have completely different relationships with it. That’s where time of first coffee and dependency feeling come in:

• Earlier first cup = higher score. If you’re grabbing coffee before 7 a.m., the formula treats that as a stronger dependency signal than a slow mid-morning cup.
• “Can’t function without it” = big boost. Choosing that option gives your score a noticeable jump, while “I like it, but I’m fine without it” gently pulls the score down.

Behind the scenes, the calculator roughly does:

• Start with your cups per day × a fun caffeine factor.
• Add small boosts for extra shots or energy drinks.
• Add or subtract points depending on your first-cup time and dependency feeling.
• Clamp the final number between 0 and 100 for a clean coffee score.

• 0–24: Casual Sipper – Maybe an occasional latte or weekend coffee. You enjoy the taste, but your life doesn’t orbit around caffeine.
• 25–49: Mild Coffee Habit – 1–2 cups most days. Coffee helps, but you can survive an early meeting without panicking.
• 50–69: Functional Coffee Lover – Regular 2–3 cups, usually before lunch. You’re still in the “this keeps me going” zone rather than “my personality is coffee.”
• 70–84: High Caffeine Dependence – Multiple cups, extras, and early mornings. You might plan your schedule around coffee runs and joke that your blood type is “espresso.”
• 85–100: Walking Espresso Shot – You live in a coffee shop, your friends send latte memes to tag you, and your morning doesn’t officially start until your mug is empty.

• Use it as a self-awareness nudge, not a diagnosis.
• Compare scores from different weeks (e.g., during busy exams vs. a relaxed vacation).
• Share screenshots with friends: “Guess my coffee addiction score.”
• Challenge yourself: “Can I bring this score down by 5–10 points next month?”

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this Coffee Addiction Meter scientifically accurate?

  No. This is a fun, non-medical tool that turns your habits into a playful score. It doesn’t measure chemistry, health impact, or medical risk. It’s closer to a party quiz than a lab test.

• What’s an example of a low vs high score?

  Imagine Person A drinks one small coffee around 10:00 a.m. and chooses “I like it, but I’m fine without it.” They’ll usually land in the casual or mild range. Person B drinks 4–5 cups, adds energy drinks, has their first coffee before 7 a.m., and chooses “I can’t function without it.” They’ll almost always land in the high dependence or walking espresso zone.

• Why does “time of first coffee” matter in the formula?

  Lots of people drink coffee, but how early you need it can say a lot about your relationship with caffeine. Reaching for coffee very early in the day is treated as a signal that you might rely on it more heavily than someone who waits until late morning or only drinks socially.

• Does a high score mean I have a coffee addiction?

  Not by itself. A high score only means that, based on the habits you entered, you’re acting like a heavy coffee user in everyday life. Real addiction and health questions are more complex and should be discussed with a qualified professional who can look at your full situation.

• Can I use this score to change my habits?

  You can use it as a starting reflection. For example, you might try small experiments: one fewer cup, a later first coffee, or swapping one drink for water or tea. If your score drops over time, it gives you a fun, visual sign that your daily pattern is shifting.

• Is this safe for kids or teens to use?

  The calculator itself is just math and playful wording, but caffeine intake is a real health topic. If younger people are drinking a lot of caffeine or feel unwell, they should talk to a parent, guardian or professional. Treat this meter as a conversation starter, not a recommendation.