Starbucks Flat White has more caffeine than Starbucks Caramel Macchiato: 195mg vs 150mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 45mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato vs Starbucks Flat White: the numbers
| Starbucks Caramel Macchiato | Starbucks Flat White | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 150mg per 16 oz grande | 195mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.4mg | 12.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Sources: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato's figure is verified in our Starbucks Caramel Macchiato caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); Starbucks Flat White's figure is verified in our Starbucks Flat White guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks Caramel Macchiato when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Flat White 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 Caramel Macchiato: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks Flat White: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Starbucks Caramel Macchiato or Starbucks Flat White have more caffeine? Starbucks Flat White: 195mg per 16 oz grande versus 150mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Flat White, at about 12.2mg per fluid ounce versus 9.4mg for Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.
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