Tim Hortons Cup Sizes: Canada vs. USA

From the official rules for the Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim to Win Contest (PDF):

NOTE: The cup size names are the same in Canada and the U.S. but the ounces differ. In Canada the cup sizes are 10oz (medium), 14oz (large) and 20oz (extra large). The cup sizes in the U.S. are 14oz (medium), 20oz (large) and 24oz (extra large).

Here’s a handy chart to help you better interpret this:

Cup Size / Country Canada USA
Medium 10 oz. 14 oz.
Large 14 oz. 20 oz.
Extra Large 20 oz. 24 oz.

Comments

Alan's picture
Alan on April 16, 2009 - 13:37 Permalink

That does not correspond with my recollection of the Tims from South Portland Maine. I recall that outlet offered an XS size but not an XL. Conversely, there is no XS in Canada that I have seen. But maybe that is old news as I largely gave up on Tims when they switched to the Borg backing process.

sam's picture
sam on April 16, 2009 - 17:17 Permalink

It is the same with the fast food restaurants. For example a small fries( At MacDonald’s) in The US is a medium in Canada. I guess our neighbors like to supersize everything

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on April 16, 2009 - 18:14 Permalink

Although I’m not familiar with the Roll Up the Rim to Win contest, I seem to recall that only certain cup sizes are eligible, and that the smaller one are not, which would explain the absence of “XS” from the list.

Nancy's picture
Nancy on April 18, 2009 - 17:25 Permalink

Maybe Tim Hortons should select a size and use it globally — the way Starbucks does.

j carter's picture
j carter on May 15, 2009 - 15:25 Permalink

why do a person have to pay for a x large coffee if they dont have large why canot they give you a large in a x large cup and pay for a large but in deer lake nl theyt charge for a x large is that the right to do

charles girard's picture
charles girard on May 15, 2009 - 18:08 Permalink

rumours in windsor ontario your coffee contains msg is this true? also we use 72 pouches at 12 cup size app 50.00 now I havw to duy 48 pouch in 8 cup size app 41.00 most of us have 12 machines why did you change? i buy in fall 5 cases to bring to flordia this is not fair charles girard

Shannon's picture
Shannon on June 2, 2009 - 18:26 Permalink

I work at Tims and have for 3 years. We do not have a XS (which I assume to be xtra small) because our small coffee cup legally can’t be made made smaller. Also the small size beverages do not sell well, so why make them smaller when the orginal doesn’t bring in profit?
Also, we don’t try to keep up with Starbucks because their a compettior. So we try to differ from them, along with all Canadian “Fair Trade” coffee shops.

Also, to answer the question about buying a large and hvaing put in an xtra large cup, well we can’t do that, because we charge by the cup size. If you want an Xtra Large coffee then you have to buy the cup. It’s a stupid rule I will admit, but they do that for inventory reasons to keep track of what is selling and what isn’t.

double-cupper's picture
double-cupper on December 18, 2009 - 16:29 Permalink

Here is a question for “Shannon”. So if Tim Hortons charges for the cup and not the coffee in it and that is the reason why they won’t allow a large coffee in an XL cup, then why can I ask for a double cup (so I don’t burn my hand) and get it. I’ve never been asked to pay for an extra coffee / tea / hot chocolate. This theory doesn’t make any sense.

I have been told by one of the store locations that they will stop “double-cupping” for environmental reasons, which I would understand. However, this store is not willing to provide any alternative and therefore I would be burning my hands. I’ve send my inquiry to Tim Hortons and await a resolution. Unfortunately, that store has lost my business (and that of my friends who frequent that location) because of the rude way I was told that they would no longer be providing the “double-cup”.

Matt's picture
Matt on August 24, 2023 - 10:46 Permalink

Get some man hand and a coffee won’t burn your dainty little fingers lmfao

Jennifer's picture
Jennifer on October 15, 2010 - 05:52 Permalink

You should consider purchasing a fabric coffee cup sleeve to protect your hands and then there will be no need for a double cup. Or how about a travel mug? It has a handle. Just an idea.

Jen's picture
Jen on October 25, 2010 - 13:53 Permalink

i think people are just bored and are bitchin about anything these days.
if you want a large coffee in a XL cup then order the XL and open it in the parkin lot and pour some out simple as that. if you want a XS or should i say a mouth full of coffee order a Small take a drink and throw it out. Or you should buy the coffee and just make it at home then you can drink as much or little as you want.

and as for the coffee burning your poor hands um isnt coffee HOT. it even says that on the friggin cup, you dont want hot coffee order an ice coffee. buy a paper sleve thing or a travel mug like someone else has said already these are simple things not even problems. hell dollar stores all over sell paper coffee cups grab some and have them in your car and you can double cup your own coffee.

theres so much goin on in the world today and its funny that people are bitchen about coffee being to hot, or not getting less coffee in a bigger cup. what about children out there that are goin to school hungry, goin to bed hungry.

use your head people

corey's picture
corey on December 9, 2010 - 20:36 Permalink

the “small” size in canada is not very big… so if they had extra small, it would be like a shot of coffee (about an ounce)

Lizzy's picture
Lizzy on December 23, 2010 - 16:35 Permalink

The coffee cups in Canada are getting smaller at the base….I am sure of that. I wish I had an older cup to prove it to others. Yes…..that is business…….as for the sizes comparing them to the USA….I say have global sizing. Can you use your Tim’s card in USA? why not the Canadian Dollar has more value now.

DLG's picture
DLG on January 11, 2011 - 01:05 Permalink

Does it honestly surprise anyone that the yanks make their Timmie’s cups bigger than us Canadians? Everything they do has to be bigger, not to mention the percentage of obese people in the US. Not a shock to me whatsoever.

UniStudent's picture
UniStudent on February 5, 2011 - 23:52 Permalink

I am currently working on a design project focusing on the transfer of heat from coffee through a Tim Hortons paper cup lining to the bare hand. I am having difficulty locating the actual volume for the 4 different sizes available (small, medium, large and extra large). Does anyone know where I could find these values? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

timmys worker's picture
timmys worker on April 3, 2011 - 20:47 Permalink

8oz,10oz,14oz &20oz

SilverSunshine's picture
SilverSunshine on July 28, 2011 - 13:31 Permalink

…. uh hellooooo the chart is at the top of this page, genius.

Screw Democracy, the Idiocracy has certainly begun.

b's picture
b on August 30, 2011 - 17:00 Permalink

tim horton has a small coffee… smaller than a man’s p$$$s. the extra large—- is no bigger than my hand stretched all the way upwards with the middle finger stuck up. the prices arent cheap either. and here, you ask for extra sugar for oatmeal, they charge you 25 cents for a frigging spoonful smaller than my smallest toe. REALLY???they charge for condiments too! capitalistic b$$$ards…. i only go when i am desperate because i ran out of coffee at home and was stupid enough not to pick up some from privately owned coffee shops who charge a little more, but have double bigger sizes of food and coffee.

tim horton’s went awol when they sold to another country and decided canada deserves less. go f- yourself

Ib Lind-Nissen's picture
Ib Lind-Nissen on September 3, 2011 - 20:52 Permalink

it is time for tim horton to bring back the medium travel cup/mug as ours just about had it ( 1 beige and 1 white ) the large is to big,it get cold
before you can finish it
Have a nice labour day

Lloyd's picture
Lloyd on September 4, 2011 - 02:03 Permalink

Myself I prefer 7-11 coffee if there isn’t coffee in the pots and you have to wait the coffee is free. At Tim Horton’s that I have visited the donuts are far and few between that is if they even have donuts. The coffee is usually luke warm and has no flavor.

jimmymax's picture
jimmymax on September 5, 2011 - 14:29 Permalink

I have a better solution: I never go to coffee shops, and in particular Tim Hortons. Do you realize how much you’re getting ripped off for what is basically a lousy cup of hot water? I can still find 200g jars of instant coffee for $3.99, and one-pound bags of beans for $8. Do you have any idea of the profit margin they’re making on that coffee at Timmies? And you usually have to stand in line for it??? Get yourself a nice travel mug, any size you prefer, make your own coffee at home, exactly the way you like it, and then take it with you. Total cost will be in the 10 cent to 25 cent range. There, that wasn’t hard was it?

linpb's picture
linpb on September 15, 2011 - 14:30 Permalink

We are discussing the actual size of the extra Large (soon to be Large) from Tim Hortons. My colleagues and I really believe that the size of the XL cup seems to be a bit smaller than before, yet the price increased from $1.72 to $1.80. Are we just dreaming or can someone confirm the size was recently reduced? I’m talking about the Canadian XL (soon to be Large) cup.

Lynn's picture
Lynn on September 16, 2011 - 12:11 Permalink

I have worked at Tim Hortons for more than 15 years. During that time the cup sizes have not changed. An XL is exactly the same as it has always been.

Former Tim Horton's employee's picture
Former Tim Hort... on October 23, 2011 - 16:52 Permalink

Due to the complaints Tim Horton’s heard when people in Canada ordered a medium coffee and recieved what looked like a small coffee only to realize in disbelief that yes, that tiny coffee they just recieved was in fact a “medium” — I heard recently that Tim Horton’s in Canada will soon assume the same sizes that they have in the USA.

Basically means a medium coffee will look and feel like a true medium coffee (i.e. 20 oz)

Tim’s will get a lot of goodwill from their customers for this given their cost of the actual coffee in the cup is around 2 cents and the cup material will only be non-materially increased.

Regardless, Tim’s has already increased their prices in anticipation of this, and gullible consumers will be fooled thinking they are getting a better deal, lol

Meanwhile has anyone noticed the price difference between a Tim’s and Starbucks Small Coffee (Tall) has almost dissappeared ? Hmmmm…. time for a switch ?

Tim’s too focused on their food menu now, that they are ignoring the consumers who made them what they are. Next thing you know, they will add something stupid like Lasanga or Souvlaki to their menu.

donna neave's picture
donna neave on October 29, 2011 - 00:39 Permalink

i was in tim hortons not my town.gave my order the young man had a runny nose. took my order rub his nose with his hand then on his clothing ’ with a starled look on his face.he keep on .made my stomach flip .i didn;nt want to center him out so i just dumped my coffee outside . to day i still drink tim.s just not there….

me's picture
me on November 4, 2011 - 19:46 Permalink

I just can&#39t believe that in 2011, a Canadian company like Tim Hortons is still even using ounces.


When are they going to switch to ml ???


 

Anon's picture
Anon on December 7, 2011 - 20:08 Permalink

Does it really matter? It&#39s a god damned cup of coffee. Who cares what measurements they use?

Gloria Zinck's picture
Gloria Zinck on January 12, 2012 - 18:45 Permalink

We very frequently visit Timmys. When I order coffee I always order the medium. That is the exact amount I want. I can make it last as long as I want to. We live 30 miles from Timmy’s and we go about 3 times a week and we really look foreward to our stop at Tim’s, for their coffee and their hospitality.

Chris's picture
Chris on January 17, 2012 - 16:23 Permalink

Has anyone even read the press release from Tim Hortons, the price of a large is the price of the current X-Large, so we will be paying the same price as before just got to remember that if you want a large, remember that it is now the medium, as far as I’m concerned they charge too much for their coffee and expecially their Tea, same price as coffee, really, I can go to McDonald’s and get my coffee and my Tea cheaper, I only pay $1 plus tax for any size cup of tea, and their coffee is cheaper and tastes just as good!!!!

Canuck's picture
Canuck on January 23, 2012 - 21:03 Permalink

Begun with you, maybe. Wow, you’re a dick!

If you’d taken the time to read the post and contrast it with the chart at the top, you’ll notice that it includes the “small” size, while the one up top doesn’t. The guy whom he was responding to was specifically stating a need for an accurate measure of the small size. (Which in Canada, is now an extra small.)

So… the breakdown of sizes in Canada is now:
XS — 8oz
S  — 10oz
M  — 14oz
L  — 20oz
XL — 24oz

grant mccullough's picture
grant mccullough on January 24, 2012 - 01:21 Permalink

In rebutal to me comment on nov 4 2012, Im quite glad that tim hortons uses ounces vice mil most of the people still understand ounces better than mil and can relate to the amount easier.

grant mccullough's picture
grant mccullough on January 24, 2012 - 01:22 Permalink

In rebutal to me comment on nov 4 2012, Im quite glad that tim hortons uses ounces vice mil most of the people still understand ounces better than mil and can relate to the amount easier.

joanne cyr's picture
joanne cyr on January 25, 2012 - 18:35 Permalink

i don’t really care for the new sizes, the xlarge does not fit in a normal microwave to reheat, also i find them to big for the hands to hold, not a comfortable cup, the other sizes are fine.

mac bennett's picture
mac bennett on January 25, 2012 - 20:16 Permalink

Agree this is a good move.. Have been a Tim’s customer for numerous years..
Keep the good changes coming..Mac Bennett, Lwr Sackville, N.S.

Alan Nichol's picture
Alan Nichol on January 26, 2012 - 13:28 Permalink

At first it upset me that it would be too confusing for a pinhead like me. Then I realized that at the end of the end of the it does not really mater. I will get used to used to the new sizes. i am addicted to the warm brown water and figure out what to order. Someday.

Marja Partanen's picture
Marja Partanen on January 28, 2012 - 03:45 Permalink

It is great that you provide such variety of sizes, but it would be simplier if you had standard sizes globally

pp's picture
pp on January 29, 2012 - 12:19 Permalink

they just came back to their regular sizes people caught on that they were getting rip off and complained to the BBB ..

THIS WAS THE SIZE WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED

Dennis White's picture
Dennis White on February 1, 2012 - 13:15 Permalink

New cup sizes too confusing. You order a medium but get a coffee with a lid that says large. It use to be so easy. Large double double and that is what you got. You should have called the new size (jumbo, grand or giant) and left everything as it was before.

Louise's picture
Louise on February 5, 2012 - 18:58 Permalink

I like the larger sizes cause I drive taxi and now I only have to buy two instead of three or four so it saves me money

Tiger Colley's picture
Tiger Colley on February 10, 2012 - 07:05 Permalink

The thing is about the Canadian cup sizes there’s 6 oz of coffee in the 10 oz med cup and 10 oz of coffee in the 14oz large cups… we know this because we didn’t change the size of our travel cups therefor we know you don’t fill the new size cups up otherwise a med would now fill my lrg travel mug big rip off there consider that our contribution to your charities pfftt!!

choclatebunny's picture
choclatebunny on March 2, 2012 - 12:35 Permalink

Has anyone else noticed on the peel rims “some” are very loosely rolled , like they have been already been rolled and rerolled closed?

I think there should be a tab or make it scratch and win for sanitation reasons. Is there any place we can write to and get this swabbed to see if this is a factory defect or if in fact they have been prerolled??

Sorry but I like to know what I am putting my mouth on.

Alex John's picture
Alex John on April 17, 2012 - 03:19 Permalink

Many automotive repairs or diagnostic tools require the use of Launch X431 Diagun, it will last a long time and are the most common tools used to loosen bolts and nuts.

alex burr's picture
alex burr on September 23, 2012 - 09:43 Permalink

Tim Hortons should model their service and cup designs after Starbucks and McDonalds. After diplomatically trying to reason with them, have decided not to open wallet again for this relatively unfriendly and unpleasant company with several outlets in downtown Vancouver. Several other competitors anyways.

Brad's picture
Brad on July 23, 2018 - 15:07 Permalink

This is completely wrong, I have a 30oz mug which I fill everyday, when I’m in a pinch I buy from timmies and fill it, two medium cups fill it perfectly medium is not 10oz as this claims, has to be at least 14oz.

Rodney's picture
Rodney on July 18, 2020 - 16:30 Permalink

Which ounces are you talking about? Imperial fluid ounces are not the same volume as US fluid ounces. Canada uses imperial units, but the US (Tim Hortons is now owned by the US) uses US units. This ambiguity could be avoided by stating the number of millilitres instead of ounces.

Rodney's picture
Rodney on July 18, 2020 - 16:40 Permalink

When you say "cup size" do you literally mean the size of THE CUP? Or the size of the SERVING? My large black coffee today (in Alberta, Canada) contained 505 millilitres of coffee. But the volume of the CUP, filled to the top, was 590 milliliters. Clarification would be helpful. And, yes, I have found the company to be arrogant in response to customer enquiries. And that was before the Coronavirus issue became a possibly-legitimate excuse.