Dunkin cold brew (medium) has more caffeine than McDonald's brewed coffee on both counts: 260mg per 24 oz medium against 145mg per 16 oz medium, and about 11mg per fluid ounce against 9. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Dunkin cold brew (medium) vs McDonald's brewed coffee: the numbers
| Dunkin cold brew (medium) | McDonald's brewed coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 260mg per 24 oz medium | 145mg per 16 oz medium |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 10.8mg | 9.1mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.5 | 2.8 |
Sources: Dunkin cold brew (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin cold brew (medium) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); McDonald's brewed coffee's figure is verified in our McDonald's brewed coffee guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick McDonald's brewed coffee when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Dunkin cold brew (medium) when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- Dunkin cold brew (medium): the full caffeine guide
- McDonald's brewed coffee: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Dunkin cold brew (medium) or McDonald's brewed coffee have more caffeine? Dunkin cold brew (medium): 260mg per 24 oz medium versus 145mg per 16 oz medium for McDonald's brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Dunkin cold brew (medium), at about 10.8mg per fluid ounce versus 9.1mg for McDonald's brewed coffee.
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