Does McCafé Have a Lot of Caffeine?

December 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a third-party analysis by BuzzFeed News, a medium McCafé coffee contains approximately 227 mg of caffeine. While McDonald's does not officially publish caffeine levels, various sources and independent tests provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from their different beverages.

Quick Summary

Answering the question of McCafé's caffeine content requires looking at drink-specific data, as levels vary significantly by type and size. Independent data reveals some McCafé items, like iced coffee, can have surprisingly high caffeine concentrations, especially in larger sizes.

Key Points

Caffeine Varies by Drink: The caffeine content in McCafé beverages is not consistent and differs significantly based on the specific menu item and size.
Large Iced Coffee is High: A large McCafé iced coffee is among the most caffeinated options, with third-party estimates suggesting it can contain over 230 mg of caffeine.
Decaf Options Exist: For those with low caffeine tolerance, decaf coffee and some teas offer very low caffeine levels.
Brewed Coffee is Moderate: A medium brewed McCafé coffee was found in one study to have a moderate caffeine level compared to competitors like 7-Eleven and Starbucks.
Espresso Drinks are Lower: Per-serving, espresso-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos typically contain less total caffeine than a large brewed coffee.
Official Data Unavailable: McDonald's does not officially publish caffeine amounts, so all figures are based on third-party estimates and lab testing.

Deciphering McCafé's Caffeine Levels

Determining the exact amount of caffeine in a McCafé product can be challenging, as McDonald's does not officially publish these figures, citing no FDA requirement to do so. However, thanks to independent testing and reporting, reliable estimates are available to help consumers make informed choices.

The Most Caffeinated McCafé Drinks

While McCafé might not be the highest overall compared to boutique or specialty chains, some of its menu items pack a significant punch. The highest estimates often belong to the larger sized iced drinks.

Large Iced Coffee: Some reports suggest a large (21-24 oz) can contain an estimated 235 to 260 mg of caffeine.
Iced Mocha: A 16-ounce iced mocha has been reported to contain 167 mg of caffeine, making it one of the higher options due to its espresso base.
K-Cup Pods: McCafé also offers products for at-home brewing. For instance, some McCafé Premium Roast K-Cup Pods have been noted to contain approximately 220 mg of caffeine per serving.

The Least Caffeinated McCafé Options

For those watching their caffeine intake, McCafé offers several lower-caffeine choices. These are often espresso-based drinks, or specifically decaffeinated versions.

Decaf Coffee: A standard 16-ounce decaf coffee contains a negligible amount of caffeine, estimated at just 11 mg.
Espresso-Based Drinks: Smaller, espresso-based beverages, which are typically concentrated but served in smaller volumes, contain less total caffeine. A small (12 oz) Latte contains an estimated 72 mg of caffeine.
Iced Sweet Tea: This is a surprisingly low-caffeine option, with a 16-ounce serving containing just 50 mg.

How McCafé Stacks Up Against Competitors

To put McCafé's caffeine content into perspective, it's helpful to compare it to other popular fast-food and coffee chains. Independent studies have revealed how the brands compare.

Comparison of Medium Coffee Caffeine Content


Brand	Average Caffeine (mg) in Medium Brewed Coffee	Source	Notes
7-Eleven	280 mg	Labdoor/BuzzFeed News	Highest average among tested chains.
Starbucks	267 mg	Labdoor/BuzzFeed News	Higher consistency in testing.
McCafé (McDonald's)	227 mg	Labdoor/BuzzFeed News	Average for their medium brewed coffee.
Dunkin' Donuts	220 mg	Labdoor/BuzzFeed News	Lowest average among those tested.

Factors Influencing Caffeine Strength

Beyond the specific drink, other factors influence the final caffeine level in your cup.

Brewing Method: The temperature of the water, brewing time, and grind size all impact how much caffeine is extracted from the beans.
Brewing Consistency: Variation can occur between different restaurant locations and even from one day to the next, as brewing standards may not be perfectly uniform.
Drink Customization: Additions like espresso shots can increase the caffeine content. For example, a single McCafé espresso shot is estimated to contain 71 mg of caffeine.

The Takeaway on McCafé's Caffeine

Ultimately, McCafé coffee has a moderate to high level of caffeine, with specific levels varying significantly by drink type and size. The largest iced coffees can have more caffeine than a standard cup of home-brewed coffee, while smaller espresso-based drinks or decaf options are much lower. For comparison, the FDA suggests a limit of 400 mg of caffeine per day for healthy adults.

Understanding the caffeine content of your favorite McCafé drink is essential for managing your daily intake and avoiding potential side effects like jitters or sleep disruption. To learn more about caffeine in coffee, you can refer to the Center for Science in the Public Interest's detailed caffeine chart.

Conclusion

While McCafé's official caffeine information isn't readily available, independent lab testing and third-party resources indicate that many of its popular beverages, especially larger sizes and iced options, contain a moderate to high level of caffeine. For example, a medium brewed coffee can be higher than competitors like Dunkin', though less than a 7-Eleven brewed cup. Consumers should be aware of the estimated caffeine ranges and choose their drink size and type according to their personal caffeine tolerance and daily intake goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

While McDonald's does not publish caffeine levels, estimates suggest a large McCafé brewed coffee (21 ounces) contains around 185 mg of caffeine. A large McCafé iced coffee may contain even more, with some third-party estimates placing it as high as 235 to 260 mg.

Based on third-party analysis, the larger sized McCafé Iced Coffee often contains the most caffeine. While a 16-ounce Iced Mocha has been reported at 167 mg, the estimated caffeine content for a large (21-24 oz) iced coffee can reach 235 to 260 mg.

It depends on the specific drink and size. A 2017 BuzzFeed News test found that a medium Starbucks brewed coffee had a higher average caffeine level (267 mg) than a medium McCafé (227 mg). However, individual drink comparisons can vary.

McCafé lattes are generally not considered high in caffeine compared to brewed or iced coffee. A 16-ounce latte typically contains an estimated 142 mg of caffeine, which is lower than the amount found in a 16-ounce brewed coffee.

Yes, according to one research paper, a 12-ounce hot brewed coffee contained approximately 100 mg of caffeine, while a 12-ounce iced coffee had an estimated 133 mg.

A single shot of McCafé espresso is estimated to contain approximately 71 mg of caffeine. A double shot would therefore contain around 142 mg.

Yes, McCafé offers a decaf brewed coffee with a very low caffeine content, estimated at only 11 mg per 16-ounce serving. However, decaf options for other drinks like iced coffee or espresso beverages may not be available.