Choosing the wrong straw size is easy to do and annoying for customers. A milkshake through a narrow straw is hard work, and a wide straw in a gin and tonic looks wrong. This guide matches each straw size to the drinks it suits, so you can stock the right mix for your menu.
Quick guide
| Size | Best for | Price per straw (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 6mm | Soft drinks, iced coffee, cocktails, highballs, cans | 5.20p at 500, down to 4.30p at 5,000 |
| 8mm | Smoothies, milkshakes, frappés, thick iced drinks | 6.00p at 500, down to 5.26p at 5,000 |
| 12mm | Bubble tea, boba, slushies, drinks with toppings | 11.04p at 300, down to 7.63p at 5,000 |
Prices are from our Trade Pricing page and include free UK delivery.
Why the width matters so much
A slightly wider straw carries a lot more drink. In textbook fluid flow, the amount a straw carries rises with roughly the fourth power of its width. By that rule, an 8mm straw carries about three times as much as a 6mm straw for the same effort. Real drinks don't follow the textbook exactly, especially thick ones, but the point stands: the thicker the drink, the wider the straw it needs.
6mm: the everyday straw
6mm is the size most venues use most of the time. It suits drinks that flow easily, including soft drinks, juices, iced coffees, iced teas, highballs and most cocktails, and it fits standard cups, cans and highball glasses. If you only stock one size, make it this one.
8mm: for thicker drinks
8mm is for drinks that are too thick for a 6mm straw to keep up with, such as smoothies, milkshakes, frappés and blended iced coffees. The wider bore means customers aren't working hard for every sip, and it holds its shape in a thick, cold drink.
12mm: for bubble tea and toppings
12mm is for anything with pieces in it, such as tapioca pearls, popping boba, jelly or chunky slushies. Ours have a slant-cut tip that pierces sealed lids, are 210mm long and are individually paper-wrapped for takeaway. Our bubble tea straw guide covers this size in more detail.
Which sizes does my venue need?
- Café: 6mm for iced coffee and cold drinks, plus 8mm if you serve smoothies or frappés.
- Bar or restaurant: 6mm covers soft drinks, highballs and most cocktails. Add 8mm if you serve milkshakes or frozen cocktails.
- Bubble tea or dessert shop: 12mm for drinks with toppings, plus 6mm for plain fruit teas.
- Hotel or events: 6mm as the main size, with a smaller stock of 8mm for breakfast smoothies and kids' milkshakes.
How many to order
Count the drinks you serve with a straw on a typical day, then multiply by the days you trade in a month. Add a little extra for busy weekends and spares.
- 40 drinks a day is about 1,200 straws a month. A 2,500 order lasts about two months.
- 100 drinks a day is about 3,000 straws a month. A 5,000 order lasts about seven weeks, at the lowest price per straw.
6mm and 8mm straws come in branded packs of 250, and 12mm straws in packs of 100, so they're easy to store behind the bar. You can order more than one size at a time, and each size is priced on its own tier.
Not sure? Try them
Get free samples for your venue and try them in your own drinks before you order.
Quick answers
What is the standard straw size?
6mm is the most common size for everyday cold drinks, cocktails and iced coffee.
What size straw is best for milkshakes and smoothies?
8mm. It's wide enough for thick drinks without customers having to work for every sip.
What size straw is used for bubble tea?
12mm, with a slant-cut tip for sealed lids.
Are your straws compostable?
Yes, in commercial composting. All three sizes are made from sugarcane fibre, certified to EN 13432 and ASTM D6400 and BPI certified, with no intentionally added PFAS.
Why not just use paper straws?
Paper costs less per straw, but it softens as it absorbs liquid. Our paper vs sugarcane cost guide compares the two per drink.