Dunkin iced coffee (medium) carries more total caffeine per serving (297mg per 24 oz medium vs 205mg per 16 oz grande), but ounce for ounce Starbucks cold brew (grande) is actually the stronger drink at about 13mg per fluid ounce against 12. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
Dunkin iced coffee (medium) vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Dunkin iced coffee (medium) | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 297mg per 24 oz medium | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 12.4mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.3 | 2.0 |
Sources: Dunkin iced coffee (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin iced coffee (medium) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer Dunkin guide (source); Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks cold brew (grande) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Dunkin iced coffee (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 iced coffee (medium): the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Dunkin iced coffee (medium) or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Dunkin iced coffee (medium): 297mg per 24 oz medium versus 205mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 12.4mg for Dunkin iced coffee (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.