Barista Life Blog · 1 min read

Starbucks Cappuccino vs Dunkin hot coffee (medium): which has more caffeine?

Dunkin hot coffee (medium) has more caffeine than Starbucks Cappuccino on both counts: 210mg per 14 oz medium against 150mg per 16 oz grande, and about 15mg per fluid ounce against 9. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.

Starbucks Cappuccino vs Dunkin hot coffee (medium): the numbers

Starbucks Cappuccino Dunkin hot coffee (medium)
Caffeine per serving 150mg per 16 oz grande 210mg per 14 oz medium
Caffeine per fl oz 9.4mg 15.0mg
Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) 2.7 1.9

Sources: Starbucks Cappuccino's figure is verified in our Starbucks Cappuccino caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (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 Starbucks Cappuccino 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

FAQ

Does Starbucks Cappuccino or Dunkin hot coffee (medium) have more caffeine? Dunkin hot coffee (medium): 210mg per 14 oz medium versus 150mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Cappuccino.

Which is stronger per ounce? Dunkin hot coffee (medium), at about 15.0mg per fluid ounce versus 9.4mg for Starbucks Cappuccino.

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