How Many Ounces Is A Large Drink At McDonald’s [2024]

In 2024, a large McDonald’s drink is typically served in a 32-ounce cup. However, it’s important to realize that the specific number of ounces can vary depending on the type of drink you choose. Whether you’re going for a soda, a creamy milkshake, or a hot (or iced) cup of coffee, or even a fruit smoothie the size options can vary a little bit.

The above sizes are in the context of within the United States, as McDonald’s drink sizes may vary across different countries. For example, in Canada, McDonald’s follows the same standard as the US, with a 32-ounce large drink so either size of the border there is no real difference in sizes. However, in the UK which has stricter health guidelines, the large-sized cup is slightly smaller in some places nearly half the size of the largest US drink. In Australia, the largest McDonald’s drink size aligns with the US and Canada, with a 32-ounce large soda.  Read on to see the specifics by drink type and country.

“Pro tip: ask for no ice if you want more fluid! As by example a small soda with ice contains just under 13 ounces of liquid whereas a small soda without ice had about 14 ounces of liquid. If you scale this up to the large sizes you are talking a good few sips missing just to have ice! You are losing about 7% of your drink to ice!”

How many ounces is a large drink at Mcdonald’s by Drink type

Each type of drink has its own ounces in a large serving cup, catering to different preferences and thirst levels.

Mcdonald’s large drink Ounces in a large Soda

A large soda at McDonald’s typically contains 32 ounces (ozs). This is for the fountain based drinks such as Coca-cola, sprite and other fizzy drinks. Note this includes all the ice which they fill pretty high as ice is cheaper than soda! See my point in the first paragraph, you loose about 7% to ice in a standard soda. Obviously an iced coffee has to have ice, but a soda not quite as much. If I am making a soda at home I generally only put a few cubes of ice in, so why have a full cup of ice from Mcdonalds ! A great cost saver for them, but not so good for the customer!

Ounces in a large Milkshake

If you’re a fan of McDonald’s milkshakes, you’ll be delighted to know that a large milkshake comes in a 32-ounce cup. Indulge in the creamy goodness with a serving size that satisfies your sweet tooth.

Ounces in a large Smoothie

For a slightly more healthy option you may go for a smoothie, these are also slightly smaller at around 24 ozs for a large size. The Strawberry Banana and Mango Pineapple flavors are my personal favourites, they are made with a fruit base that includes fruit purees and juice concentrates, low-fat yogurt, and ice. A medium Mango Pineapple smoothie, for example, contains 52 grams of sugar but no added sugar, indicating that the sugar content comes from naturally occurring sugars in the fruits and the added sugars in the yogurt and fruit base. 

Ounces in a large Iced Coffee

Looking for a refreshing caffeine fix? McDonald’s offers a large iced coffee with 32 ounces of deliciousness. As above I do always ask for a bit less ice to make sure I get the most out of my caffeien hit!

Ounces in a large Coffee

If you prefer a regular hot coffee, McDonald’s has you covered with a large size of 20 ounces. Again this is in the USA, other countries do vary as noted below.

What type of drink at McDonald’s is the largest size

The largest size drink at McDonald’s is the large soda, which contains 32 ounces , again alot of this is ice!  However, it’s worth noting that other drinks, such as large milkshakes and large iced coffees, also come in substantial sizes equalling the soda size. The milkshake is definately the more filling! 

McDonald’s Kid’s Drinks Size

When it comes to drinks for your young children, McDonald’s offers kid’s drinks in a smaller size. These drinks are designed to be more manageable for smaller tummies. A standard kid’s drink at McDonald’s is typically a 12-ounce serving, providing a just-right amount for little ones to enjoy.

“If you go for happy meals like I do with my kids, you can often get a fruit juice for a healthy option which is far smaller.”

Compared to the larger sizes available for adults, such as the 32-ounce large drink, the kid’s drink size is significantly smaller. This ensures that children can have their own portion without feeling overwhelmed by the huge adult drink sizes.

McDonald’s Large Drink Sizes: A Global Comparison

McDonald’s offers a variety of drink sizes not only within the United States but also across different countries.

I’ve always admired McDonald’s, the global fast-food leader, for its commitment to serving a broad spectrum of drink sizes to meet the diverse needs of its customers. I’m particularly drawn to their large drink offerings (although I do try to resist for health reasons) being 6ft 2 tall and weighing in at 200 lbs, which range from the standard 30-32 ounces, ensuring I can satisfy my thirst for a while.

Yet, I’ve noticed that the size of a large drink at McDonald’s varies considerably around the world. In my global travels, I’ve seen that a large drink can be anywhere from 17 to 50 ounces, depending on the country. This disparity stems from several factors, such as local food culture, dietary habits, and consumer preferences, and increasingly health regulations such as in my native UK. For example, in the United States, where larger portions are the norm, the large drinks I’ve encountered are typically around 30-32 ounces. Meanwhile, in Japan, where smaller portions are more customary, a large drink might be closer to 17 ounces.

Despite these variations, I appreciate that McDonald’s strives to ensure that everyone can enjoy their favorite sizes. However, I’m also mindful of the fact that these larger sizes can lead to an increased intake of sugar and calories. That’s why I value McDonald’s effort to offer a range of alternatives and sizes to suit different dietary needs and preferences. They have sugar-free and low-calorie options available, and they encourage customers like me to think carefully about our portion sizes. In the United States, the largest drink option at McDonald’s is typically the large soda. With a generous 32-ounce serving, it’s perfect for quenching your thirst. The US also however has very high obesity levels, and large sodas can definately contribute to that. So when possible I try and take the healthier option, which sometimes means a different drink type, sometimes a smaller size.

Here are some of the regional verations by country in terms of Mcdonalds large drink sizes:

Largest McDonald’s Drink in Canada

Similar to the US, the largest drink size at McDonald’s in Canada is also a 32-ounce large soda. So whether you’re in the US or Canada, you can order the same size drinks.

Largest McDonald’s Drink in the UK

The drink sizes at McDonald’s in the UK are generally smaller compared to the US and Canada. Even the largest-sized cup in the UK is smaller than the large soda available in the US. So if you’re in the UK, keep in mind that you’ll be getting a smaller drink size compared to other countries. Also in the UK the measurement is done in ML, so a large drink is 50ml or around 16 fluid ozs. You can see more here

Largest McDonald’s Drink Size in Australia

In Australia, the largest McDonald’s drink size is on par with the US and Canada. You can expect to find a 32-ounce large soda, providing a satisfying amount of refreshment.

Largest McDonald’s Drink Size in the Rest of the World

The drink sizes at McDonald’s in the rest of the world may vary from country to country. However, in general, the largest drink size tends to align with the larger options available in the US, Canada, and Australia, allowing customers to enjoy a substantial drink in many countries.

How Many Calories are in a large Mcdonalds drink

If you’re trying to keep track of your calorie intake, you may be wondering just how many calories are in a large drink at McDonald’s. The precise number of calories can vary depending on the flavor and ingredients, but it’s important to note that large drinks at McDonald’s are typically around 30 ounces.

To get a more accurate estimate of the calories in a specific drink, it’s best to refer to McDonald’s official nutritional information. For example, a large Coca-Cola at McDonald’s contains roughly 290 calories, while a large Sprite has about 300 calories. These numbers may seem high for just a beverage, but it’s important to remember that large drinks at fast food restaurants often contain a significant amount of sugar and can contribute to a high calorie intake.

If you’re looking to make healthier choices, considering opting for a smaller size or choosing a sugar-free or low-calorie drink option. McDonald’s offers a range of diet sodas as well as unsweetened iced tea or water, which have significantly fewer calories. Remember, it’s not just the size of the drink, but also the choice of beverage that can impact your calorie intake. So, next time you find yourself ordering a large drink at McDonald’s, be mindful of the calories and make a choice that aligns with your dietary goals.

Conclusion

McDonald’s offers a range of drink sizes, including small, medium, and large, catering to different preferences. The specific number of ounces in a large drink can vary depending on the type of beverage you choose. Whether you’re craving a large soda, iced coffee, milkshake, or regular coffee, it really does vary. 

It’s worth noting that McDonald’s drink sizes may vary across different countries. While the largest sizes generally offer a satisfying amount of refreshment, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the specific dimensions of the large drinks in the country you’re visiting. Whether you’re in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or other parts of the world, you can expect to find larger drink options to quench your thirst.

Remember, the choice of drink size at McDonald’s ultimately depends on your preferences and thirst level. So, whether you’re in the mood for a small, medium, or large beverage, McDonald’s has you covered. With a variety of options and sizes to choose from, you can enjoy your favorite drink in a size that satisfies your thirst.