McDonald's Shakes: Flavors, Prices & Calories (2026)

What McDonald's shakes are on the menu?

McDonald's has three shakes on its U.S. menu in fall 2026: Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry. Each comes in small, medium and large.

Every shake starts with McDonald's reduced-fat vanilla soft serve, which is blended with a flavored syrup and topped with whipped light cream. McDonald's calls them shakes rather than milkshakes. Its own explanation is that the shakes get their milk from the soft serve, and dairy rules on what counts as a milkshake vary from state to state.

So yes, McDonald's has milkshakes, just under a different name. There is no new limited-time shake on the U.S. menu right now. McDonald's Sweets & Treats menu lists only the three standard flavors. For everything else on the board, see the full McDonald's menu.

How much is a shake at McDonald's?

A medium McDonald's shake costs about $4.39 to $4.69 in 2026, in any flavor. Small and large prices vary more by store, so check the app for yours.

A Columbus, Ohio, store's delivery menu listed all three medium shakes at $4.69 in July 2026, and delivery prices usually run higher than at the counter. Shakes are not on the Under $3 Menu, so the main way to save is through app offers in the Deals tab.

If you want something cheaper and still cold, a Vanilla Cone costs about $1.99. A Hot Fudge Sundae runs about $4.29. Both are on our McDonald's ice cream page.

How many calories are in a McDonald's shake?

McDonald's shakes have 470 to 520 calories in a small, 570 to 650 in a medium and 780 to 850 in a large, depending on flavor. Strawberry is lightest in a small but heaviest in a large.

That makes a medium shake one of the higher-calorie items on the menu. A medium chocolate shake has 650 calories, more than a Big Mac at 580. If you want the flavor with fewer calories, a small vanilla at 480 or a Vanilla Cone at 200 cuts a lot. Our McDonald's nutrition guide has more comparisons.

Which McDonald's shake flavor should I get?

Pick vanilla if you want the lightest medium, at 570 calories, and chocolate if you want the richest flavor, at 650. Strawberry sits between them in a medium at 600, but it becomes the heaviest shake in a large at 850.

The sizes scale up quickly. Going from a small to a large adds about 280 to 380 calories, depending on flavor, so a small is the easy way to cut back without giving up the shake. Since all three flavors share the same vanilla soft serve and whipped topping, the syrup is what changes the taste and calorie count.

If you are deciding between a shake and a McFlurry, a regular OREO McFlurry has 410 calories, fewer than any medium shake, and typically costs about $4.49 to $5.19.

Are McDonald's shakes gluten-free or dairy-free?

McDonald's shakes are not dairy-free, because they are made from its reduced-fat soft serve, which contains milk. McDonald's also does not label any U.S. menu item, shakes included, as gluten-free.

The company warns that shared preparation areas and equipment can lead to cross-contact with allergens. If you manage an allergy, check the shake's ingredient and allergen information on mcdonalds.com or in the app before ordering.

Does McDonald's have Shamrock Shakes right now?

No. The Shamrock Shake is a seasonal shake sold in late winter around St. Patrick's Day, and it is not on the menu in October. It last returned nationwide on Feb. 17, 2026, for a limited time.

The Shamrock Shake is vanilla soft serve blended with Shamrock syrup and topped with whipped cream. In 2026 it came back alongside the OREO Shamrock McFlurry, and Good Morning America reported the return date on Feb. 12, just five days ahead. If you want one in 2027, keep an eye on the app in early February.