Quick Answer
A McDonald’s large drink is 30 fluid ounces (oz). This is the standard size for a large soft drink across all McDonald’s restaurants in the United States.
Measuring Cup Sizes
Ounces are a unit of volume used to measure liquids. 1 ounce is equal to about 29.6 milliliters. Here are some common measuring cup sizes in ounces:
- 1/4 cup = 2 oz
- 1/3 cup = 2.6 oz
- 1/2 cup = 4 oz
- 2/3 cup = 5.3 oz
- 3/4 cup = 6 oz
- 1 cup = 8 oz
Knowing these measuring cup conversions can help conceptualize how much 30 ounces really is. For example, 30 oz is equal to:
- 3 3/4 cups
- 15/4 cups
- 22 1/2 oz
McDonald’s Cup Sizes
McDonald’s offers soft drinks in three standard sizes:
- Small = 16 oz
- Medium = 21 oz
- Large = 30 oz
The large drink is McDonald’s biggest standard soft drink size. It contains 30 fluid ounces of soda, which is equal to 3.75 cups.
Here is an overview of how the McDonald’s cup sizes compare:
| Cup Size | Ounces |
|---|---|
| Small | 16 oz |
| Medium | 21 oz |
| Large | 30 oz |
As you can see, the large cup holds significantly more soda than the small or medium sizes. You get an extra 9 oz stepping up from a small to a medium, and an additional 9 oz going from a medium to a large.
Ounces in other McDonald’s drinks
While McDonald’s soft drinks come in set sizes, the ounce amounts vary for other McDonald’s beverages:
McCafe Drinks
- Small McCafe Coffee = 12 oz
- Medium McCafe Coffee = 16 oz
- Large McCafe Coffee = 20 oz
McCafe hot chocolates, mochas, and lattes are available in small (12 oz), medium (16 oz), and large (20 oz) sizes.
Milkshakes
All McDonald’s milkshakes are 22 oz.
Smoothies
All McDonald’s smoothies are 16 oz.
So while McDonald’s soft drinks have set ounce amounts by size, other drinks like coffee, shakes, and smoothies have standard ounce amounts regardless of size. The only exception is hot McCafe drinks, which can be ordered in three sizes.
Volume Compared to Other Drinks
To understand just how big 30 oz is, let’s compare it to some other common drink container sizes:
- Standard soda can = 12 oz
- Tall Starbucks coffee = 12 oz
- Water bottle = 16.9 oz
- Grande Starbucks coffee = 16 oz
- Venti Starbucks coffee = 20 oz
- Red bull can = 8.4 oz
- Gatorade bottle = 20 oz
- Average adult wine glass = 5 oz
A McDonald’s large soda has significantly more volume than a standard soda can, tall Starbucks coffee, water bottle, or glass of wine. It’s even larger than a typical coffee shop’s medium or large size. The only drinks that come close are the 20 oz Venti Starbucks coffee and 20 oz Gatorade bottle.
So at 30 oz, the McDonald’s large drink is quite sizable by comparison. It holds over 2 cans of soda or 3 glasses of wine worth of liquid. No wonder the large sodas are so aptly named!
Nutrition Information
Along with understanding the volume, it’s also helpful to know the nutrition facts for a large McDonald’s soda:
- Calories: 310
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Total carbs: 83g
- Sugars: 83g
The 83g of sugar is equal to about 21 teaspoons of added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 teaspoons (25g) of added sugar per day for women and 9 teaspoons (36g) for men.
Therefore, a single large McDonald’s soda exceeds the recommended daily limit of added sugars for men and women. 30 ounces is a massive amount of sugary soda to consume in one sitting.
Price of a Large Soda
At most McDonald’s locations in the US, a large soft drink costs between $1-2. However, prices vary by region.
Here are some average prices for a McDonald’s large soda:
- New York City: $1.79
- Los Angeles: $1.79
- Chicago: $1.59
- Houston: $1.29
- Philadelphia: $2.19
- Phoenix: $1.49
- San Antonio: $1.69
- San Diego: $1.79
- Dallas: $1.39
- San Jose: $1.79
Of course, prices can rise in major tourist centers, airports, or at certain high-volume locations. But generally expect to pay around $1-2, which is quite a bargain for 30 oz of soda.
Refilling McDonald’s Drinks
McDonald’s offers free refills on fountain drinks during the same visit. So purchasing a large soda essentially gives you unlimited free refills while you are still at the restaurant.
To get a refill:
- Ask for a refill at the counter
- Self-refill at the drink station if available
- Ask an employee for a refill if no self-serve drink station
Do keep in mind that refills are only for dine-in customers, not drive-thru. And you can only get one refill at a time – you cannot keep going back for refill after refill. But one or two free refills on a large 30 oz soda is an excellent value.
Tips for Enjoying a McDonald’s Large Soda
Here are some tips to keep in mind if ordering a 30 oz McDonald’s large soda:
- Fill the cup with ice to allow the soda to stay cold and bubbly.
- Consider sharing the large size if dining with a friend or splitting with a meal.
- Water down the soda with some ice to cut down on sweetness.
- Only refill once and sip slowly to avoid overconsumption.
- Choose diet soda or unsweetened iced tea to save on calories.
- Add a flavor shot to liven up a regular Coke or Sprite.
- Bring a reusable straw to reduce plastic waste.
- Pair your soda with the salty food at McDonald’s to balance flavor.
Moderation and sipping slowly are key to enjoy a McDonald’s large soda responsibly. But going large on your drink order does mean more value for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about McDonald’s large soda sizes:
How many ounces is a McDonald’s child size drink?
A McDonald’s child size soft drink is 12 oz.
Does McDonald’s large soda size vary in different countries?
Yes, McDonald’s drink sizes are slightly different in other countries. A large soda is generally 500ml-1L, or about 16-34 oz depending on location.
What drink has the most caffeine at McDonald’s?
Brewed coffee generally has the most caffeine of McDonald’s beverage options. A large McCafe coffee has about 145mg caffeine.
Does McDonald’s offer extra-large drinks bigger than 30 oz?
No, McDonald’s largest standard soft drink size across all restaurants is 30 oz. Some locations may offer souvenir cups up to 40 oz.
Can you order a large soda with a Happy Meal?
Typically a Happy Meal comes with a 12 oz kids size soda. You can upsize the drink to a small, medium, or large for an added cost.
The Bottom Line
A McDonald’s large soft drink contains a whopping 30 fluid ounces. That’s equal to 3.75 cups or 22.5 standard ounces. It’s far bigger than a typical soda can, coffee cup, or water bottle.
At 30 oz, a McDonald’s large soda gives you a lot of bubbly drink for your money. Just be sure to sip slowly, share if possible, and adjust other meal components to account for the extra calories and sugar. Moderating intake and refilling responsibly lets you enjoy the large size without going overboard.
Conclusion
In summary, a McDonald’s large soft drink is 30 fluid ounces – over 3 times larger than a standard 12 ounce soda can. This makes it significantly bigger than most other fast food and coffee shop drink sizes. While the large soda is a good value, be cautious of over-consuming such a sizeable amount of sugary drink in one sitting. Enjoy the large size in moderation by sipping slowly, adding extra ice, sharing with a friend, or getting just one refill at most. Keeping consumption reasonable lets you take advantage of the large size without going overboard on calories or sugar intake.
