Starbucks Tripleshot Energy has more caffeine than McDonald's brewed coffee on both counts: 225mg per 15 oz can 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 Starbucks Tripleshot Energy: the numbers
| McDonald's brewed coffee | Starbucks Tripleshot Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 145mg per 16 oz medium | 225mg per 15 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.1mg | 15.0mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.8 | 1.8 |
Sources: McDonald's brewed coffee's figure is verified in our McDonald's brewed coffee caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks Tripleshot Energy's figure is verified in our Starbucks Tripleshot Energy guide against Starbucks / Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick McDonald's brewed coffee when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Tripleshot Energy 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
- Starbucks Tripleshot Energy: 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 Starbucks Tripleshot Energy have more caffeine? Starbucks Tripleshot Energy: 225mg per 15 oz can versus 145mg per 16 oz medium for McDonald's brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Tripleshot Energy, at about 15.0mg per fluid ounce versus 9.1mg for McDonald's brewed coffee.
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