Coca-Cola’s first diet cola was called Tab.
Introduced in 1963, Tab was created for the growing market of consumers seeking low-calorie soft drinks. Coca-Cola promoted it as a diet beverage and gave it a short, distinctive name rather than using the company’s full Coca-Cola name. The brand’s early identity included bold typography and advertising aimed at calorie-conscious consumers.
Tab remained available after Coca-Cola launched Diet Coke in 1982, but Diet Coke quickly became the company’s principal diet-cola brand. Tab developed a loyal following and became especially associated with retro soft-drink culture before being discontinued in the United States in 2020.
“Coca-Cola Light” is the name used for Diet Coke in many international markets, but it was not the earlier American product. “Sugar Free Coke” was also used in later branding and should not be confused with Tab, which was a separate product with its own name and formula.