Starbucks welcomes America with an addictive aroma of freshly brewed coffee and we coffee lovers enjoy visiting Starbucks. However, when you step into this iconic coffee shop, Starbucks cup sizes might leave you confused. In contrast to all the Dunkin’ Donuts cup sizes with simple names like small, medium, large, and extra-large, Starbucks offers seven different cup sizes. Interestingly, all 7 Starbucks cup sizes have distinct Italian names. Therefore, this Italian-inspired cup size scheme of Starbucks might make choosing the right cup size a bit challenging, especially if you’re not a regular.
Here, we’ll offer you key insights into all 7 Starbucks cup sizes along with their capacities. So, keep reading to learn more.
Chart of All 7 Starbucks Cup Sizes
| Cup Size | Hot/Cold | Capacity |
| Demi | Hot | 3 oz (89 ml) |
| Short | Hot | 8 oz (237 ml) |
| Tall | Hot + Cold | 12 oz (355 ml) |
| Grande | Hot + Cold | 16 oz (473 ml) |
| Venti | Hot | 20 oz (591 ml) |
| Cold | 24 oz (710 ml) | |
| Trenta | Cold | 31 oz (917 ml) |
Hopefully, the chart above has given you a clear understanding of how much of your favorite drink you’ll get with each Starbucks cup size. Starbucks doesn’t stop at offering 7 different cup sizes; this iconic coffee chain also lets you customize your drinks to suit your preferences for ingredients and flavors.
Starbucks’ Seven Magical Cup Sizes
If you take a close look at the chart above, you’ll notice we’ve listed six different cup types: Demi, Short, Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta. However, when considering cup sizes, it’s important to treat the Venti (hot) and Venti (cold) separately, as they come in different sizes. Another thing I’ve noticed is that you might not find all 7 Starbucks cup sizes at your local Starbucks, as many locations offer only four options.
1. Demi (Hot Only)
The Demi cup is the smallest size Starbucks offers, holding just 3 fluid ounces. This charming mini-mug is perfect for espresso lovers, offering the ideal size for savoring intense, rich flavors. Traditionally, the Demi cup is used for single or double shots of espresso, though it’s also handy for serving extra milk or cream. The term “Demi” comes from the French word “demitasse,” meaning “half cup.” While not all locations offer this petite cup, your espresso will often be served in a Short cup instead.
2. Short (Hot Only)
Starbucks’ Short cups hold 8 oz of liquid. This cup size is one of the original sizes and has been serving customers since the coffee chain’s early days. Even though Short cups are no longer listed on the Starbucks menu, you can still order them for hot beverages like hot chocolates, mochas, and lattes. If you want to enjoy the full flavor of espresso but with half the caffeine, the Short cups are perfect for you. It’s also an excellent choice for kids to enjoy smaller, satisfying drinks.
3. Tall (Hot and Cold)
Starbucks’ Tall cups will only offer you 12 oz of liquid. Despite the name, this cup is not the tallest, instead, it’s the smallest cup size to serve cold drinks along with hot drinks. However, in contrast to a Demi cup that mainly serves espresso drinks, you can order almost any Starbucks drink in a Tall size. Most Tall espresso beverages, such as lattes and cappuccinos, typically include one shot of espresso.
4. Grande (Hot and Cold)
The Grande cups are a popular choice for medium-sized beverages at Starbucks. With a plentiful 16 oz of liquid, Grande was originally the largest cup size at Starbucks before the introduction of Venti and Trenta. However, Grande is still a go-to cup size for both hot and cold drinks for many customers. Most Grande espresso beverages include two shots of espresso to ensure a rich and flavorful taste. From Frappuccinos to classic lattes, you can order any of your favorite Starbucks drinks in a Grande cup size.
5. Venti (Hot @ 20 oz)
The Venti at Starbucks has two different cup sizes- 20 oz for hot drinks and 24 oz for cold drinks. Venti is an Italian word that means 20. Venti hot drinks include two shots of espresso. If you want a larger and more balanced coffee experience, then Venti cups are ideal for you. It also comes with a customization facility to help you have the right amount of caffeine. So, if you want to have a milder taste in hot drinks, Venti has you covered.
5. Venti (Cold @ 24 oz)
Though the Italian word Venti means 20, the size of the cold version is larger(24 oz) due to the presence of ice. The cold version of Venti can include three shots. if you want a strong boost with iced options then Venti is the perfect Starbucks coffee cup size for you.
7. Trenta (Cold Only)
The Trenta cup at Starbucks offers a lavish 31 oz of liquid, making it the largest size for iced drinks on the Starbucks menu. In 2011, Starbucks introduced Trenta. This Italian word means 30, however, this cup typically offers 31 oz of iced drinks. This cup size is available for plenty of refreshing beverages like iced coffees, cold brews, iced teas, lemonades, and Starbucks Refreshers, but not for espresso-based drinks. While not all locations offer it, many do. Trenta cups are perfect for those who want a large, cool drink to enjoy throughout the day.
Why Starbucks Cups Are Named Differently Than Usual?
If you’re a regular at Starbucks, ordering a Short or Grande may feel normal to you. But have you ever stopped to wonder why their cup sizes don’t follow the usual small, medium, and large labels?
The person behind Starbucks’ unique cup sizes is Howard Schultz, the founder and former CEO, who drew inspiration from his first trip to Italy in 1983. Howard founded Starbucks at Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971. However, he left Starbucks in 1985 and started an Italian-style cafe named Il Giornale, encouraged by the ritual and romance of Milan’s coffee bars. This is where he introduced Italian-style cup sizing systems.
Later, Howard opened three new Il Giornale locations, with help from his chief buyer, Dave Olsen. In 1987, when the original Starbucks founders decided to sell their company’s name, Il Giornale acquired Starbucks and decided to continue its operations under the Starbucks name.
Even though Il Giornale adopted the Starbucks name, it still continued to use its Italian-style cup sizes. This is why today, we find Starbucks cups like Grande, Venti, or Trenta.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Starbucks offers seven different cup sizes, such as Demi (3 oz), Short (8 oz), Tall (12 oz), Grande (16 oz), Venti Hot (20 oz), Venti Cold (24 oz), and Trenta (31 oz)
In 2012, Starbucks introduced the Trenta cup which can hold 31 oz. As of 2024, Trenta is the largest Starbucks cup, however, this cup is only available to serve iced drinks, such as iced tea and iced coffee. The largest Starbucks cup for hot drinks is the Venti for hot drinks, which holds 20 oz of liquid.
The smallest Starbucks cup is the Demi which holds 3 oz of liquid. So, the size of this cup is less than 1/10 of the Trenta cup. The Demi is usually used to serve espresso shot orders.