Starbucks Pike Place vs McCafé coffee: caffeine compared
Starbucks Pike Place (16 oz) has 352 mg of caffeine, 243 mg more than McCafé coffee (12 oz, 109 mg) — 3.2× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Starbucks Pike Place is the stronger drink: 22 mg/oz versus 9.1 mg/oz.
| Starbucks Pike Place | McCafé coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 16 oz | 12 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 352 mg | 109 mg |
| Per fl oz | 22 mg | 9.1 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 88% | 27% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 1.1 | 3.7 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 14.1 h | 5.6 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 8:55 AM | 5:23 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 3:55 AM | 12:23 PM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 176% | 54% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Starbucks Pike Place or McCafé coffee?
Starbucks Pike Place (16 oz) has about 352 mg versus 109 mg in McCafé coffee (12 oz): 243 mg more, or 3.2× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Starbucks Pike Place or McCafé coffee?
Starbucks Pike Place: about 22 mg per fl oz versus 9.1 mg for McCafé coffee. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many McCafé coffee servings equal one Starbucks Pike Place?
About 3.2 servings of McCafé coffee (12 oz) match the caffeine in one Starbucks Pike Place (16 oz).
When should I stop drinking Starbucks Pike Place or McCafé coffee before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Starbucks Pike Place by 8:55 AM, last McCafé coffee by 5:23 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.
Source — Starbucks Pike Place: Starbucks — Pike Place Roast nutrition (Grande), checked 2026-10-13. Starbucks now lists 315–390 mg; the midpoint is used in calculations. Published range 315–390 mg.
Unverified — McCafé coffee: McDonald's does not publish caffeine amounts. Treat 109 mg as a rough estimate.