Starbucks Caffe Americano has more caffeine than Starbucks Caffe Mocha: 225mg vs 175mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 50mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Starbucks Caffe Americano vs Starbucks Caffe Mocha: the numbers
| Starbucks Caffe Americano | Starbucks Caffe Mocha | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 225mg per 16 oz grande | 175mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 14.1mg | 10.9mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.8 | 2.3 |
Sources: Starbucks Caffe Americano's figure is verified in our Starbucks Caffe Americano caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); Starbucks Caffe Mocha's figure is verified in our Starbucks Caffe Mocha guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks Caffe Mocha when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Caffe Americano 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
- Starbucks Caffe Americano: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks Caffe Mocha: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Starbucks Caffe Americano or Starbucks Caffe Mocha have more caffeine? Starbucks Caffe Americano: 225mg per 16 oz grande versus 175mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Caffe Mocha.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Caffe Americano, at about 14.1mg per fluid ounce versus 10.9mg for Starbucks Caffe Mocha.
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