Brewed iced tea vs Sweet tea (McDonald's): caffeine compared
Sweet tea (McDonald's) (32 oz) has 100 mg of caffeine, 10 mg more than Brewed iced tea (16 oz, 90 mg) — 1.1× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Brewed iced tea is the stronger drink: 5.6 mg/oz versus 3.1 mg/oz.
| Brewed iced tea | Sweet tea (McDonald's) | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 16 oz | 32 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 90 mg | 100 mg |
| Per fl oz | 5.6 mg | 3.1 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 22% | 25% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 4.4 | 4.0 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 4.2 h | 5.0 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 6:46 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 1:46 PM | 1:00 PM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 45% | 50% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Brewed iced tea or Sweet tea (McDonald's)?
Sweet tea (McDonald's) (32 oz) has about 100 mg versus 90 mg in Brewed iced tea (16 oz): 10 mg more, or 1.1× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Brewed iced tea or Sweet tea (McDonald's)?
Brewed iced tea: about 5.6 mg per fl oz versus 3.1 mg for Sweet tea (McDonald's). Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Brewed iced tea servings equal one Sweet tea (McDonald's)?
About 1.1 servings of Brewed iced tea (16 oz) match the caffeine in one Sweet tea (McDonald's) (32 oz).
When should I stop drinking Brewed iced tea or Sweet tea (McDonald's) before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Brewed iced tea by 6:46 PM, last Sweet tea (McDonald's) by 6:00 PM. Half-life varies from about 1.5 to 9.5 hours between people.
Method
Caffeine per labeled serving, from the same drink table every calculator here uses (FDA/USDA reference amounts and manufacturer labels; see caffeine content of every drink). Brewed drinks vary batch to batch, so read these as typical values. Decay uses a 5-hour average half-life with a 45-minute absorption ramp; cutoff = bedtime − 5 h × log₂(dose ÷ limit). Percentages use the FDA's 400 mg/day figure for healthy adults and the 200 mg/day limit ACOG gives for pregnancy.
Unverified — Brewed iced tea: Strength varies by recipe; no reliable reference value. Treat 90 mg as a rough estimate.
Unverified — Sweet tea (McDonald's): McDonald's does not publish caffeine amounts. Treat 100 mg as a rough estimate.