Starbucks Pike Place (grande) has more caffeine than Pepsi on both counts: 310mg per 16 oz grande against 38mg per 12 oz can, and about 19mg per fluid ounce against 3. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
These are different categories of drink, which changes how the caffeine arrives. Energy drinks and sodas list an exact number because caffeine is a measured additive; brewed drinks vary with the beans and the brew, so their figures are compiled averages. The numbers here are the standard published values for each.
Pepsi vs Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the numbers
| Pepsi | Starbucks Pike Place (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 38mg per 12 oz can | 310mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.2mg | 19.4mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 10.5 | 1.3 |
Sources: Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Starbucks Pike Place (grande) packs roughly 6 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 16 oz grande finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Pepsi when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Pike Place (grande) 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
- Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Pepsi or Starbucks Pike Place (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Pike Place (grande), at about 19.4mg per fluid ounce versus 3.2mg for Pepsi.
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.