Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium) carries more total caffeine per serving (252mg per 14 oz medium vs 63mg per 1 oz shot), but ounce for ounce espresso is actually the stronger drink at about 63mg per fluid ounce against 18. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium) vs espresso: the numbers
| Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium) | espresso | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 252mg per 14 oz medium | 63mg per 1 oz shot |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 18.0mg | 63.0mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.6 | 6.3 |
Sources: Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); espresso's figure is verified in our espresso guide against USDA FoodData Central (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: espresso packs roughly 4 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 1 oz shot finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick espresso when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Dunkin' Extra Charged (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' Extra Charged (medium): the full caffeine guide
- espresso: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
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FAQ
Does Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium) or espresso have more caffeine? Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium): 252mg per 14 oz medium versus 63mg per 1 oz shot for espresso.
Which is stronger per ounce? espresso, at about 63.0mg per fluid ounce versus 18.0mg for Dunkin' Extra Charged (medium).
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.
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