Do you know Starbucks cup sizes? If you’ve ever been to Starbucks, you know that they offer a variety of cup sizes to choose from. From Tall to Trenta, each size has its own unique capacity and is designed to accommodate different types of drinks.
However, with so many options to choose from, it can be confusing to know which size to order for your favorite beverage. In this ultimate guide, we will take a closer look at the Starbucks cup sizes and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision when ordering your next coffee.
We will also answer some frequently asked questions about Starbucks cup sizes, such as what the different sizes mean and which drinks can be served in each size. So whether you’re a coffee novice or a seasoned Starbucks veteran, this guide will help you navigate the world of Starbucks cup sizes like a pro.
Table of Contents
What Are The Starbucks Cup Sizes?
Starbucks is a popular coffee shop that offers a range of beverage options. The company has several cup sizes to choose from, each with its own unique features.
Demi Cup:
The Demi cup is the smallest cup size offered by Starbucks, and it has a capacity of 3 ounces. It is also known as the “espresso cup” as it is commonly used to serve espresso shots. The Demi cup is ideal for customers who prefer a small amount of coffee or for those who want to try a new coffee blend.
Pros:
Perfect for a quick shot of espresso.
Ideal for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
Convenient size for trying new coffee blends without committing to a larger size.
Can be easily carried in a purse or bag.
Cons:
Not suitable for those who prefer a larger quantity of coffee.
May require frequent refills if used for regular coffee.
Not a cost-effective option compared to larger cup sizes.
Limited availability at some Starbucks locations.
Short Cup:
The Short cup is the second-smallest cup size offered by Starbucks, and it has a capacity of 8 ounces. It is a popular choice for customers who want a small amount of coffee or for those who want a custom size that is not available on the regular menu.
Pros:
More cost-effective than larger cup sizes.
Can be used to order custom-sized drinks that are not on the menu.
Ideal for those who prefer a small amount of coffee.
Can be a good option for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
Cons:
May require frequent refills if used for regular coffee.
Limited availability at some Starbucks locations.
Not suitable for those who prefer a larger quantity of coffee.
Smaller size may not be as satisfying for some customers.
Tall Cup:
The Tall cup is the third-smallest cup size offered by Starbucks, and it has a capacity of 12 ounces. It is a popular choice for customers who want a medium-sized coffee or for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
Pros:
Offers a good balance between cost and quantity of coffee.
Ideal for those who want a medium-sized coffee.
Can be used for a wide range of hot and cold beverages.
Available at all Starbucks locations.
Cons:
May not be enough for customers who prefer a larger quantity of coffee.
May not be as cost-effective as larger cup sizes.
May not be suitable for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
Limited availability of some beverage options in this size.
Grande Cup:
The Grande cup is the fourth-largest cup size offered by Starbucks, and it has a capacity of 16 ounces. It is a popular choice for customers who want a large quantity of coffee or for those who want to share a drink with a friend.
Pros:
Offers a good quantity of coffee for a reasonable price.
Can be shared with others.
Ideal for those who prefer a large quantity of coffee.
Available at all Starbucks locations.
Cons:
May not be suitable for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
May not be as cost-effective as smaller cup sizes.
May not be suitable for those who prefer a smaller quantity of coffee.
May not be suitable for some beverage options due to the size.
Venti Cup:
The Venti cup is the second-largest cup size offered by Starbucks, and it has a capacity of 20 ounces for hot drinks and 24 ounces for cold drinks. It is a popular choice for customers who want a very large quantity of coffee or for those who want to share a drink with multiple people.
Pros
Offers a large quantity of coffee for a reasonable price.
Can be shared with multiple people.
Ideal for those who prefer a very large quantity of coffee.
Available at all Starbucks locations.
Cons:
May not be suitable for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
May not be as cost-effective as smaller cup sizes.
May not be suitable for some beverage options due to the size.
Can be difficult to hold or fit in cup holders due to its size.
Trenta Cup:
The Trenta cup is the largest cup size offered by Starbucks, and it has a capacity of 31 ounces for cold drinks only. It is a popular choice for customers who want a very large quantity of iced coffee or tea.
Pros:
Offers the largest quantity of iced coffee or tea for a reasonable price.
Ideal for those who prefer a very large quantity of iced coffee or tea.
Available at all Starbucks locations.
Can be shared with multiple people.
Cons:
Not suitable for hot beverages.
May not be suitable for those who want to limit their caffeine intake.
May not be as cost-effective as smaller cup sizes.
Can be difficult to hold or fit in cup holders due to its size.
Read more:
How Much Caffeine Is In A Starbucks Frappuccino Bottle
How Much Caffeine Is In Decaf Espresso
How Much Caffeine In Nespresso
Where do Starbucks cup sizes come from?
Starbucks cup sizes have become ubiquitous in coffee shops around the world, but where did they originate? The history of Starbucks cup sizes dates back to the company’s early days in Seattle, Washington, in the 1980s.
The inventor of Starbucks cup sizes is believed to be Howard Schultz, who became CEO of Starbucks in 1987. Schultz was inspired by the Italian coffee culture he experienced during his travels to Italy, where he observed that espresso shots were typically served in small cups.
Upon returning to Seattle, Schultz sought to create a similar coffee culture in the United States. He introduced the concept of multiple cup sizes, ranging from small to large, to give customers more options for their coffee orders.
This marked a departure from the traditional coffee culture in the US, where coffee was typically served in a standard size and often refilled for free.
Starbucks initially offered three cup sizes: Short, Tall, and Grande. The Short cup size was introduced as the smallest option, with a capacity of 8 ounces.
The Tall cup size was the next largest, with a capacity of 12 ounces. The Grande cup size was introduced as the largest option, with a capacity of 16 ounces.
Over time, Starbucks added more cup sizes to their lineup to accommodate different customer preferences and beverage options. The Venti cup size was added in 1997, with a capacity of 20 ounces for both hot and cold drinks. The Trenta cup size was introduced in 2011, with a capacity of 31 ounces for cold drinks only.
The benefits of offering multiple cup sizes are numerous. Firstly, it allows customers to choose the quantity of coffee they want based on their individual preferences and needs. Some customers may prefer a smaller cup size to limit their caffeine intake or to enjoy a more concentrated coffee flavor.
Others may prefer a larger cup size to share with friends or to enjoy over a longer period of time.
Additionally, offering multiple cup sizes can increase revenue for coffee shops by encouraging customers to purchase larger sizes or to buy multiple drinks for themselves or others.
This can be especially beneficial for businesses during peak hours when customers may be in a hurry and need a larger, more convenient cup size.
What’s the amount of espresso shots in Starbucks drinks?
Starbucks drinks come in a range of sizes, each with a different amount of espresso shots. Here is a breakdown of the amount of espresso shots in each size:
Demi Cup:
The Demi Cup is the smallest size offered by Starbucks and is used for espresso shots. It has a capacity of 3 ounces, and typically contains a single shot of espresso.
Short Cup:
The Short Cup is the second smallest size offered by Starbucks, with a capacity of 8 ounces for hot drinks. It contains a single shot of espresso for all espresso-based drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos.
Tall Cup:
The Tall Cup is the third smallest size offered by Starbucks, with a capacity of 12 ounces for hot drinks. It typically contains one or two shots of espresso, depending on the type of drink. For example, a latte or cappuccino contains one shot of espresso, while an Americano contains two shots.
Grande Cup:
The Grande Cup is the fourth size offered by Starbucks, with a capacity of 16 ounces for hot drinks. It typically contains two shots of espresso for all espresso-based drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and Americanos.
Venti Cup:
The Venti Cup is the second largest size offered by Starbucks, with a capacity of 20 ounces for hot drinks. It typically contains two shots of espresso for hot espresso-based drinks, while iced espresso-based drinks contain three shots of espresso.
Trenta Cup:
The Trenta Cup is the largest size offered by Starbucks for iced drinks only, with a capacity of 31 ounces. It does not contain espresso shots.
It is important to note that the amount of espresso shots in a drink can be customized based on customer preferences. For example, a customer can request an extra shot of espresso in their drink for an additional caffeine boost.
Who is suitable for each Starbucks cup sizes?
Demi Cup:
Suitable for: espresso lovers who want a quick and simple shot of espresso without any added milk or ingredients.
How to order right: request a “single shot of espresso in a Demi Cup” to enjoy a 3-ounce cup of pure espresso.
Short Cup:
Suitable for: those who want a concentrated coffee drink without too much caffeine, ideal for those who need a quick energy boost.
How to order right: for an espresso-based drink, order a “tall (or grande) latte (or cappuccino or Americano) in a Short Cup” to get a 8-ounce cup with a balanced espresso-to-milk ratio.
Tall Cup:
Suitable for: those who want a small and balanced coffee drink with a moderate amount of caffeine, perfect for those who want a quick and easy coffee fix.
How to order right: for an espresso-based drink, ask for a “tall (or grande) latte (or cappuccino or Americano) in a Tall Cup” to get a 12-ounce cup with a good balance of espresso and milk.
Grande Cup:
Suitable for: those who want a medium-sized coffee drink with a moderate amount of caffeine, great for those who want a coffee drink that is neither too small nor too large.
How to order right: for an espresso-based drink, order a “grande latte (or cappuccino or Americano)” to get a 16-ounce cup that strikes a perfect balance between espresso and milk.
Venti Cup:
Suitable for: those who want a larger coffee drink with a stronger caffeine kick, perfect for those who need a substantial amount of caffeine to power them through the day.
How to order right: for an espresso-based drink, request a “grande (or venti) latte (or cappuccino or Americano) in a Venti Cup” to enjoy a 20-ounce cup with an extra shot of espresso. For iced espresso-based drinks, order a “venti iced latte (or cappuccino or Americano) with three shots of espresso.”
Trenta Cup:
Suitable for: those who want a large and refreshing iced drink without any espresso shots, ideal for those who want a cold and refreshing beverage on a hot day.
How to order right: request a “Trenta iced tea (or lemonade or iced coffee or cold brew)” to enjoy a 31-ounce cup of your favorite iced beverage.
FAQs about Starbucks cup sizes
How many cup sizes does Starbucks offer?
Starbucks offers four main cup sizes: Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta.
What are the sizes of Starbucks cups in fluid ounces?
Tall: 12 fl oz, Grande: 16 fl oz, Venti: 24 fl oz (hot), 20 fl oz (cold), Trenta: 31 fl oz (cold only).
What does “Tall” mean at Starbucks?
“Tall” is the smallest cup size offered by Starbucks, with a capacity of 12 fluid ounces.
What does “Grande” mean at Starbucks?
“Grande” means “large” in Italian, and is the middle-sized cup offered by Starbucks, with a capacity of 16 fluid ounces.
What does “Venti” mean at Starbucks?
“Venti” means “twenty” in Italian, and is the second-largest cup size offered by Starbucks. It has a capacity of 20 or 24 fluid ounces, depending on whether it’s a hot or cold drink.
What is the difference between a hot and cold Venti cup?
The hot Venti cup holds 24 fluid ounces, while the cold Venti cup holds 20 fluid ounces.
What does “Trenta” mean at Starbucks?
“Trenta” means “thirty” in Italian, and is the largest cup size offered by Starbucks. It has a capacity of 31 fluid ounces and is only available for cold drinks.
What drinks come in a Trenta cup?
Only iced teas, iced coffees, and iced refreshers can be served in a Trenta cup.
Can you order a hot drink in a Trenta cup?
No, the Trenta cup is only available for cold drinks.
Are there any restrictions on what drinks can be ordered in certain cup sizes?
Yes, certain drinks are only available in certain cup sizes. For example, a hot espresso cannot be ordered in a Trenta cup.
Can you order a Tall cup for a cold drink?
Yes, you can order any cup size for any type of drink, hot or cold.
Can you order a Venti cup for a hot drink?
Yes, you can order a Venti cup for both hot and cold drinks.
How much does it cost to upgrade to a larger size at Starbucks?
The cost of upgrading to a larger size varies depending on the type of drink and the location of the Starbucks store.
Can you bring your own cup to Starbucks?
Yes, you can bring your own cup to Starbucks and receive a discount on your drink. The discount amount varies by location.
Can you order a custom size cup at Starbucks?
No, Starbucks only offers the four main cup sizes, and custom sizes are not available.
Conclusion about Starbucks cup sizes
Starbucks cup sizes can be a bit confusing to navigate, but armed with the information in this ultimate guide, you’ll be able to order your favorite drinks with confidence.
Whether you prefer a Tall coffee to start your morning or a Venti iced tea to cool off on a hot day, knowing which size to choose can make all the difference in your Starbucks experience. Remember that each size is designed to accommodate different types of drinks, so don’t be afraid to ask your barista for recommendations if you’re unsure which size to order.
I am Colin Harper, the founder of Cortonacafe.com. I’m a chef by trade. I’ve been in the restaurant business for over 20 years. I opened my first cafe in 2014, and it’s been a great success. My passion is making people happy through great food and coffee, and I hope to continue doing that for years to come.
I have traveled to many places and love to experience and learn new foods and drinks. I especially enjoy trying out different coffee roasts and brewing methods. I’m always looking for new ways to improve my craft, so that I can provide the best possible experience for my customers.