When it comes to Starbucks coffee sizes, one of the most frequently asked questions is: is a large Starbucks coffee 20 oz? The short answer is yes, a grande size Starbucks coffee is 20 oz. Keep reading for more details on Starbucks coffee sizes and ounces.
Starbucks Coffee Sizes
Starbucks offers coffee and espresso beverages in a variety of sizes. Here is an overview of the basic Starbucks coffee sizes along with the fluid ounces for each:
| Starbucks Size | Fluid Ounces |
|---|---|
| Short | 8 oz |
| Tall | 12 oz |
| Grande | 16 oz |
| Venti | 20 oz |
As you can see, the Starbucks grande size is 16 fluid ounces. This is smaller than the venti size at 20 fluid ounces.
Is a Starbucks Grande 16 or 20 oz?
This is where some of the confusion comes in. Although a grande is listed as 16 oz on the Starbucks menu boards, a grande hot coffee is actually 20 oz. So in the case of hot coffee, a grande is 20 oz.
The reason for this discrepancy is that the Starbucks sizes were standardized for all beverages a few years back. So while specialty drinks like lattes and cappuccinos come in 16 oz grandes, the hot coffee sizes stayed the same. This means a coffee grande is 20 oz while other grande drinks are 16 oz.
Why is a Starbucks grande hot coffee 20 oz?
Starbucks has served its coffee in certain sizes for many years. Before menu boards listed oz sizes, Starbucks offered the following coffee sizes:
- Short – 8 oz
- Tall – 12 oz
- Grande – 16 oz
- Venti – 20 oz
However, at some point Starbucks increased the grande hot coffee size to 20 oz, while keeping the venti at 20 oz. So grandes and ventis became the same size for hot coffee.
When Starbucks moved to standardizing sizes across all drinks a few years ago, they kept the 20 oz grande size for hot coffee, since customers were accustomed to the amount of coffee they received. So while a grande cappuccino is 16 oz, a grande hot coffee remains 20 oz.
Do all Starbucks locations serve 20 oz grandes?
The 20 oz grande hot coffee is standard at Starbucks locations in the United States and Canada. However, Starbucks stores in other countries may have slight size variations for coffees.
For example, some Starbucks locations in the UK serve a 354 ml grande coffee, which converts to about 12 oz. So a grande at a British Starbucks would be closer to a tall size in the US. Sizes can also vary somewhat in Asian countries.
But at any Starbucks in America or Canada, you can expect a grande hot coffee to be 20 fluid ounces. This has become the standard over the years since Starbucks increased the grande hot coffee size but kept its specialty drink sizes the same.
Ordering Tips for Grande Coffees
Now that you know a Starbucks grande hot coffee is 20 oz, here are some tips for ordering:
- Feel confident ordering a 20 oz grande if you want a larger sized coffee.
- Remember that specialty grande drinks are 16 oz.
- Feel free to ask your barista if you need clarification on sizes.
- Keep in mind the 12 oz tall size if you want less coffee.
- The short 8 oz size is good for those who want a small amount of coffee.
Starbucks baristas are accustomed to explaining the discrepancy between a 16 oz grande for drinks and 20 oz grande for coffee. Don’t hesitate to ask your barista any questions when ordering! They are there to provide excellent customer service.
Does Starbucks Have a 28 oz Size?
Starbucks does not currently offer a 28 oz coffee size. The largest hot coffee available on the menu is the 20 oz venti.
Some customers think they have ordered a 28 oz coffee if they request a venti with extra room. However, even if a venti cup is not filled to the top, the maximum amount of hot coffee that can fit in a venti cup is 20 oz.
If you prefer to order additional ounces of coffee beyond 20 oz, there are a couple options:
- Order an additional short 8 oz coffee
- Order a venti coffee with an extra shot of espresso
- Order a venti coffee with additional syrup or milk
While these additions will give you more volume, the total amount of straight black coffee will not exceed 20 oz in a single Starbucks cup size.
Why Doesn’t Starbucks Offer 28 oz Coffees?
Starbucks likely keeps its coffee sizes capped at 20 oz to maintain speed and consistency at the drive thru and in stores. Preparing drinks larger than 20 oz would slow down operations.
Additionally, very large cup sizes can become unstable and difficult to carry. A 28 oz coffee would be extremely hot and challenging to handle during a commute, resulting in safety issues.
Starbucks aims to serve coffee in sizes that meet customer needs while maintaining efficient operations and safety. The 20 oz venti hits the sweet spot between providing a generous portion and being manageable for customers to consume.
Do Starbucks Drink Sizes Differ By Location?
Starbucks sizes do remain fairly consistent across most North American locations. You can expect to receive the same short, tall, grande and venti sizes in nearly any Starbucks store you visit in the United States or Canada.
However, as mentioned previously, Starbucks locations in other countries may use slight variations in sizing. For example:
- Some UK stores serve 12 oz grandes.
- Parts of Europe may serve 120 ml or 150 ml shorts.
- Asian Starbucks may use oz sizes or milliliter sizes.
- Many international locations do not carry trenta (30 oz) drinks.
These small size differences are usually due to the metric system in other countries. But in the US and Canada, you’ll receive consistent Starbucks drink sizes across locations.
Ordering Tips for Visiting International Starbucks
To make sure you receive the drink size you want when visiting a Starbucks in another country, here are some tips:
- Check the menu boards closely for size ounces or milliliters.
- Ask the barista if you need clarification on sizes.
- Mention the number of ounces you want rather than using size names.
- Try sampling smaller sizes first before ordering a larger 16 oz or 20 oz coffee.
With slight size variations around the world, giving the barista the exact ounces or milliliters is the clearest way to order the drink size you prefer.
The History of Starbucks Drink Sizes
Starbucks first opened in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. The original shop only served brewed coffee, not espresso drinks. Customers could choose between a Short (8 oz), Tall (12 oz), or Grande (16 oz) size.
The first Starbucks latte was introduced in 1985 using espresso. Shortly after, Starbucks opened locations outside of Seattle and expanded its menu with more espresso beverages.
In the early 1990s, Starbucks introduced Venti (20 oz) drinks to its menu. However, hot coffee sizes remained Short, Tall, Grande and Venti until the Grande (16 oz) was bumped up to 20 oz.
In the late 1990s, cold drinks like Frappuccinos were added to the Starbucks menu. Iced coffee, lattes, and other cold espresso drinks became available in all five sizes from Short to Venti once bottled Frappuccinos hit shelves in 1994.
In 2011, Starbucks introduced the extra large Trenta (30 oz) size for iced coffee and other cold drinks. Hot drinks continue to max out at the 20 oz Venti size.
While sizes have expanded over the decades to offer more options, the Short, Tall, Grande, and Venti foundation remains unchanged in the US and Canada stores.
The Future of Starbucks Sizes
Starbucks has experimented with larger cold cup sizes beyond Trenta over the years. Special limited edition sizes like the 31 oz Michelangelo and 47 oz Le Petite have been served for promotional purposes.
However, these extra extra large sizes are not ideal for everyday operations. The Trenta (30 oz) is likely as large as Starbucks would go for a permanent cold drink menu size.
For hot drinks, 20 oz offers the ideal maximum amount of coffee that consumers can comfortably drink. Larger sizes could lead to waste without providing much upside for customers.
Looking ahead, Starbucks sizes will likely remain stable, with the possibility of adjusting ounces slightly over time as customer preferences evolve. But the iconic Short through Venti sizes will continue anchoring Starbucks menus for the foreseeable future.
Comparing Starbucks Sizes to Other Coffee Chains
Starbucks is far from the only coffee game in town. Chains like Dunkin’ Donuts, Tim Hortons, and Peet’s all compete for coffee drinkers’ dollars.
Here’s how Starbucks sizes stack up to sizes at other major coffee shops:
| Size | Starbucks | Dunkin’ | Tim Hortons | Peet’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Short – 8 oz | Small – 10 oz | Small – 14 oz | Demi – 12 oz |
| Medium | Tall – 12 oz | Medium – 14 oz | Medium – 17 oz | Regular – 16 oz |
| Large | Grande – 16 oz (coffee 20 oz) | Large – 18 oz | Large – 20 oz | Large – 20 oz |
| Extra Large | Venti – 20 oz | Extra Large – 24 oz | Extra Large – 24 oz | None |
As you can see, sizes vary quite a bit across coffee chains. Starbucks Short and Tall sizes are smaller than “small” and “medium” at most other places. But a Grande or Venti tend to be comparable to large and extra large sizes elsewhere.
Tips for Cross-Chain Coffee Drinkers
Keeping straight all the different coffee sizes between chains can be tricky. Here are some tips:
- Check ounce sizes on menus closely.
- Ask about ounces if you need clarification on sizes at any chain.
- Sample smaller sizes first if you’re unsure how chains compare.
- Stick with medium or large sizes when switching between chains.
While sizes vary across the board, you’re usually safe sticking with a medium or large coffee when jumping between Starbucks, Peet’s, Dunkin and other chains.
How to Make the Most of Starbucks Drink Sizes
With so many Starbucks drink options and sizes, how do you make sure you’re getting the best coffee experience?
Here are some tips to get the top value regardless of what size you order:
- Know the size ounces – Check Starbucks menus for exact fluid ounces so you order the right amount of coffee or specialty drink for your needs.
- Stick to 1-2 sizes – Choose 1 go-to size like a Tall or Grande for simplicity and consistency.
- Size up or down – Adjust your size based on your energy level or caffeine needs that day.
- Sample sizes – Don’t be afraid to order a Short cappuccino or Short latte to enjoy the espresso flavors.
- Split larger sizes – Order a Venti with a friend and save a few dollars each compared to two Talls.
With so many choices, focus on what drink size best suits your personal tastes. Sizing up or down can bring variety and allow you to explore Starbucks’ menu.
Maximizing Value With Starbucks Sizes
One way to maximize value at Starbucks is to size up when you have larger caffeine needs for the lowest per ounce price. For example:
- Tall (12 oz) Starbucks Pike Place roast coffee – $1.85
- Grande (20 oz) Starbucks Pike Place roast coffee – $2.10
For only 25 cents more, you can size up from a Tall to a Grande and get nearly twice as much coffee for less per ounce. Going larger when you need an extra boost can be an efficient way to enjoy Starbucks.
Starbucks Drink Sizes: Short, Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta
Starbucks uses Italian names for the unique sizes of its coffees and specialty drinks. The sizes offered are:
- Short – 8 fluid ounces
- Tall – 12 fluid ounces
- Grande – 16 ounces for drinks, 20 ounces for coffee
- Venti – 20 fluid ounces
- Trenta – 30 fluid ounces for iced drinks only
These sizes provide customers with options to order anything from a tiny espresso shot to a large cold brew. Starbucks menus clearly list fluid ounces to take the guesswork out of choosing what amount you need.
Understanding Starbucks sizes can ensure you receive the ideal amount of coffee or espresso drink every time you order. A Short gives you a sample, while a Venti provides more generous portions for thirstier customers. With a wide range of sizes, Starbucks accommodates all coffee lovers no matter their preferences.
Tips for Ordering Starbucks Drink Sizes
Here are some tips for smoothly ordering your ideal Starbucks drink size:
- Check ounces on menus if you’re unsure what each size contains.
- Feel free to ask your barista for size clarification.
- Order a Short if you want to sample a new drink.
- Go with a Venti for maximum caffeine in one cup.
- Stick with Tall or Grande for more modest amounts.
Knowing the exact ounces helps take the guesswork out of choosing sizes. And baristas are there to answer any questions or make recommendations if you can’t decide.
With so many options, you can find the perfect Starbucks drink size to match your preferences each visit.