What is Starbucks' 16-ounce cup size called?

Starbucks’ 16-ounce cup size is called a Grande.

The name sits between Tall and Venti in Starbucks’ best-known size lineup. A Tall is 12 U.S. fluid ounces, while a Grande is 16; Venti is typically 20 ounces for hot drinks and 26 for iced drinks. Starbucks also offers the smaller Short size for some hot beverages.

Grande is Italian for “large,” although it is not the largest Starbucks size. That naming choice is a frequent source of confusion because “grande” sounds like it should mean the biggest option. Starbucks adopted Italian-inspired terminology to give its coffeehouse menu a distinctive European feel.

Another common mix-up is treating a Grande as a universal 16-ounce serving. Beverage volume can vary by country, drink type, ice, and whether the order is hot or iced, but in the standard U.S. size chart, Grande means 16 U.S. fluid ounces.