Why Are Starbucks Sizes Called Tall, Grande and Venti?
Starbucks sizes have Italian sounding names because of a trip to Milan. Howard Schultz, who built the company, fell in love with Italian coffee bars in the 1980s and wanted his cafes to feel the same way. So instead of small, medium and large, the menu uses Tall, Grande and Venti.
The funny part is that the names do not match the size. Tall is the smallest size on most menus.
What do the size names mean?
| Size | Cup | What the word means |
|---|---|---|
| Short | 8 oz (hot drinks only) | The original small cup |
| Tall | 12 oz | Was the “large” when there were only two sizes |
| Grande | 16 oz | Italian for “large” |
| Venti | 20 oz hot | Italian for “twenty” |
| Trenta | 30 oz (some cold drinks) | Italian for “thirty” |
Iced Venti drinks come in a bigger cup than hot ones, to leave room for ice.
Why is Tall the small size?
In the early days there were just two sizes: Short and Tall. Tall really was the bigger one. Then Grande was added, and later Venti. Each new size pushed the older names down the line, and Tall ended up as the smallest cup most people see on the menu board. Short still exists for hot drinks, but you have to ask for it.
Where did the Italian idea come from?
Starbucks started in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market as a shop that sold coffee beans. Howard Schultz joined later and visited Milan, Italy, where he saw busy espresso bars on every corner. He left in 1985 to open his own cafe, Il Giornale, based on those bars. In 1987 he bought Starbucks and brought the Italian feel, and the Italian words, with him.
How much does each size cost?
| Drink | Tall | Grande | Venti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike Place Roast | About $3.45 | About $3.85 | About $3.95 |
| Caffe Latte | About $4.25 | About $4.95 | About $5.45 |
| Cold Brew | About $4.25 | About $4.95 | About $5.45 |
The jump from Grande to Venti is often small, so a Venti can be the best deal per ounce. See every drink on our Starbucks menu with prices.
Do bigger sizes have more caffeine?
Not always. A hot Tall latte has one espresso shot and a Grande has two. A hot Venti also has two shots, just with more milk, while an iced Venti gets three. So for a stronger hot drink, Grande and Venti have the same amount of espresso.
Tips for ordering
- Say “small, medium or large” if you forget the names. Baristas will know what you mean.
- Ask for a Short if you want a smaller, cheaper hot drink.
- Use the app to compare sizes before you pay, since prices vary by store.
Read more in why is Starbucks so expensive and our list of the best Starbucks drinks.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Grande at Starbucks?
A Grande is 16 oz. The word means large in Italian.
What does Venti mean?
Venti means twenty in Italian. A hot Venti drink is 20 oz.
Why is Tall the smallest size?
When Starbucks had only two sizes, Tall was the larger one. Bigger sizes were added later, so Tall became the smallest size on most menus.
Does Starbucks still have a Short size?
Yes. The 8 oz Short is still available for hot drinks if you ask for it.
What is a Trenta?
A Trenta is a 30 oz cup used for some cold drinks, like iced tea, Refreshers and cold brew.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
