Dunkin hot coffee (medium) has more caffeine than McDonald's brewed coffee on both counts: 210mg per 14 oz medium against 145mg per 16 oz medium, and about 15mg per fluid ounce against 9. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
McDonald's brewed coffee vs Dunkin hot coffee (medium): the numbers
| McDonald's brewed coffee | Dunkin hot coffee (medium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 145mg per 16 oz medium | 210mg per 14 oz medium |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.1mg | 15.0mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.8 | 1.9 |
Sources: McDonald's brewed coffee's figure is verified in our McDonald's brewed coffee caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Dunkin hot coffee (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin hot coffee (medium) guide against Tasting Table / Dunkin figures (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick McDonald's brewed coffee when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Dunkin hot 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
- McDonald's brewed coffee: the full caffeine guide
- Dunkin hot coffee (medium): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does McDonald's brewed coffee or Dunkin hot coffee (medium) have more caffeine? Dunkin hot coffee (medium): 210mg per 14 oz medium versus 145mg per 16 oz medium for McDonald's brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Dunkin hot coffee (medium), at about 15.0mg per fluid ounce versus 9.1mg for McDonald's brewed coffee.
Barista Life runs on coffee people. Browse the Barista Life shop to support the site.