How much caffeine is in Starbucks Cortado?
A Short (8 fl oz) Starbucks Cortado has 230 mg of caffeine.
That's about 2 cups of brewed coffee, and 57% of the 400 mg a day the FDA cites for most healthy adults.
Source: starbucks.com · checked 10 Nov 2026
When did you have it?
Had at 3 pm, about 81 mg is still in you at an 11 pm bedtime. That might affect your sleep.
Your whole day, every drink, in the free CaffeineIQ check. The iPhone app is coming soon.
Latest time to drink it
For an 11 pm bedtime, most people should finish a Short (8 fl oz) Starbucks Cortado by about 11:30 am. The table works it out for other bedtimes and for how sensitive you are: it is the latest time to start one so that the caffeine left stays under the line all night.
| Bedtime | Very sensitive under 25 mg | Average under 50 mg | Not very sensitive under 100 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 pm | Too much for one evening | 9:30 am | 2:30 pm |
| 10 pm | 5:30 am | 10:30 am | 3:30 pm |
| 11 pm | 6:30 am | 11:30 am | 4:30 pm |
| Midnight | 7:30 am | 12:30 pm | 5:30 pm |
| 1 am | 8:30 am | 1:30 pm | 6:30 pm |
For a Short (8 fl oz) Starbucks Cortado, average clearance (half-life 5 h), 8 hours of sleep. "Any time" means even one at bedtime stays under the line.
How long it lasts
The caffeine from a Short (8 fl oz) Starbucks Cortado peaks in your blood about 75 minutes after you start it, at roughly 196 mg. Half of it is gone in about 5 hours for an average adult; that ranges from roughly 3 to 7 hours, and longer in pregnancy or with some medicines.
| Time after | 3 hours | 6 hours | 9 hours | 12 hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Still in you | 162 mg | 107 mg | 70 mg | 46 mg |
So one had at 3 pm leaves about 81 mg at 11 pm. How long caffeine lasts explains the curve.
How it compares
Starbucks Cortado is stronger than 89% of the 90 coffee-shop drinks we track, by caffeine per serving.
Per fluid ounce (29 mg) it is stronger than 99% of them.
To reach 400 mg in a day you would need about 1½ of these.
Less caffeine
- Dutch Bros Cold Brew 226 mg, Medium iced
- Starbucks Aerocano 225 mg, Grande
- Starbucks Caffè Americano 225 mg, Grande
More caffeine
- Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso 255 mg, Grande
- Starbucks Iced Hazelnut Oatmilk Shaken Espresso 255 mg, Grande
- Starbucks Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso 255 mg, Grande
FAQ
Is Starbucks Cortado high in caffeine?
Yes, very. A Short (8 fl oz) Starbucks Cortado has 230 mg, which is 2.4 times an 8 fl oz cup of brewed coffee (95 mg).
Can I drink Starbucks Cortado at night?
Not if you want to sleep well. Had at 7 pm, it leaves about 141 mg in an average adult at an 11 pm bedtime, above the 50 mg most people sleep fine with. The latest time for an 11 pm bedtime is about 11:30 am.
How long does the caffeine in Starbucks Cortado last?
It peaks about 75 minutes after you start it. Of the 230 mg, about 107 mg is still in you 6 hours later and 46 mg after 12 hours, for an average adult with a 5-hour half-life.
Does Starbucks Cortado have more caffeine than Red Bull?
Yes. A Short (8 fl oz) Starbucks Cortado has 230 mg; an 8.4 fl oz can of Red Bull has 80 mg.
Method and limits
The caffeine figure comes from starbucks.com; recipes, brewing and batches vary, so a real serving can differ. The curves use a standard one-compartment model with an average 5-hour half-life and a sleep-friendly line of 50 mg; your own body may clear caffeine faster or slower. How it works has the details.
These are estimates for information, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor; common guidance is under 200 mg a day.
Related
More from Starbucks
- Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino
- Starbucks Pike Place Roast
- Starbucks Pink Drink
- Starbucks Pink Energy Drink
- Starbucks Pistachio Cream Cold Brew
- Starbucks Pistachio Frappuccino
More coffee-shop drinks
- Starbucks Caffè Mocha
- Starbucks Cappuccino
- Starbucks Caramel Brulée Chai
- Starbucks Caramel Brulée Frappuccino
- Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte
- Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
- All coffee-shop drinks