Starbucks Chai Latte has more caffeine than Coca-Cola Classic on both counts: 95mg per 16 oz grande against 34mg per 12 oz can, and about 6mg 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.
Starbucks Chai Latte vs Coca-Cola Classic: the numbers
| Starbucks Chai Latte | Coca-Cola Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 95mg per 16 oz grande | 34mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.9mg | 2.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.2 | 11.8 |
Sources: Starbucks Chai Latte's figure is verified in our Starbucks Chai Latte caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); Coca-Cola Classic's figure is verified in our Coca-Cola Classic guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Coca-Cola Classic when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Chai Latte 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 Chai Latte: the full caffeine guide
- Coca-Cola Classic: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Starbucks Chai Latte or Coca-Cola Classic have more caffeine? Starbucks Chai Latte: 95mg per 16 oz grande versus 34mg per 12 oz can for Coca-Cola Classic.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Chai Latte, at about 5.9mg per fluid ounce versus 2.8mg for Coca-Cola Classic.
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.