✔ Updated · milk ratios, calories and side-by-side table
Same espresso, same milk, completely different cup. Here is what really separates a cappuccino from a latte, and how to order (or make) the one you’ll love.
Both are espresso with steamed milk, but the milk is different. A cappuccino is about equal parts espresso, steamed milk and thick, airy foam in a small 5 to 6 ounce cup, so it tastes bolder and feels lighter. A latte uses far more steamed milk and only a thin layer of microfoam in a bigger 8 to 16 ounce cup, so it’s creamier, milder and higher in calories.
- Milk: a cappuccino is roughly 1 part espresso to 2 parts milk and foam; a latte is about 1 part espresso to 3 or more parts milk.
- Foam: a cappuccino has a thick, spoonable cap; a latte has a thin, silky layer.
- Taste: cappuccinos taste stronger of coffee; lattes taste creamier and a little sweeter.
- Calories: a Starbucks grande with 2% milk is about 120 for a cappuccino vs 190 for a latte.
Cappuccino vs Latte at a Glance
| Cappuccino | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Espresso, steamed milk, thick milk foam | Espresso, lots of steamed milk, thin microfoam |
| Ratio | About equal thirds espresso, milk and foam | About 1 part espresso to 3 or more parts milk |
| Method | Milk steamed with plenty of air for a deep, stiff foam | Milk steamed with a little air for glossy, pourable microfoam |
| Typical size | 5 to 6 oz (about 150 to 180 ml in Italy) | 8 to 16 oz, sometimes bigger |
| Flavor | Bold espresso flavor, lighter feel | Mild, creamy and naturally a bit sweeter |
| Texture | Airy and frothy; the foam sits on top | Smooth and velvety all the way through |
| Caffeine | Same as a latte with the same number of shots | Same as a cappuccino with the same number of shots |
| Calories (Starbucks grande, 2% milk) | About 120 | About 190 |
| Origin | Italy; named after the brown habits of Capuchin friars | Italy; caffè latte simply means milk coffee |
| Best for | Coffee lovers who want strength and froth | Slow sipping, flavored syrups and iced drinks |
What Is a Cappuccino?
A classic cappuccino is a single or double shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam, roughly a third of each. In Italy it comes in a small cup of about 150 to 180 ml, and it’s very much a morning drink.
The name comes from the Capuchin friars, whose brown robes matched the color of coffee lightened with a little milk. When I make one at home, I tilt the cup and listen for that paper-tearing hiss from the steam wand: it means air is going in and the foam will stand up tall.
What Is a Latte?
A latte, short for caffè latte or milk coffee, is espresso topped up with plenty of steamed milk and finished with a thin layer of silky microfoam. That smooth, glossy milk is what baristas pour latte art with.
Because it’s mostly milk, a latte is the drink that takes flavors best. My copycat Starbucks vanilla latte is the one I make most weekends, and every fall the pumpkin spice latte copycat comes out.
Which Is Stronger?
A cappuccino tastes stronger because there is less milk around the espresso. The caffeine, though, is the same when both have the same number of shots. At Starbucks, a grande cappuccino and a grande latte both get two shots.
If you want more kick in either, ask for an extra shot. If you want the strongest coffee flavor in the smallest cup, look at a flat white or a macchiato instead.
Which Has More Calories?
The latte, every time, because it holds more milk. A Starbucks grande with 2% milk comes in at about 190 calories for a latte and about 120 for a cappuccino. Foam is mostly air, so a cappuccino gives you a big, satisfying cup with less milk in it.
Milk choice changes the numbers more than anything. Whole milk adds calories, while skim and unsweetened almond or oat milk bring them down. Every pump of flavored syrup adds more on top.
Which Is Sweeter?
Neither has added sugar unless you ask for it, but a latte tastes sweeter. Steamed milk brings out the natural sugar in the milk, and there is simply more of it in a latte. A cappuccino’s bigger share of espresso keeps it drier and more bitter in a pleasant way.
When to Choose Which
- Choose a cappuccino when you love the taste of coffee, want a lighter drink, or enjoy spooning up that thick foam.
- Choose a latte when you want something mellow and creamy, plan to add vanilla or caramel, or want a bigger cup to sip slowly.
- Making it at home without a steam wand? Shake warm milk in a jar or use a handheld frother. A latte is far easier, because a tall, stable cappuccino foam needs real steam pressure.
Cappuccino vs Latte vs Flat White and Macchiato
- Flat white: a small, strong drink with a double shot and thin, velvety microfoam. Try my flat white at home.
- Macchiato: espresso just marked with a spoonful of foam. Starbucks’ caramel version is really a layered latte, as I explain in macchiato vs latte.
- Breve: a latte made with half-and-half for extra richness, like my Irish cream breve.
- Plain espresso: the base of all of them. See black coffee vs espresso for how a shot compares with a regular mug.
Sources
- Cappuccino history, ratio and Italian cup size: Wikipedia, Cappuccino
- Calories: Starbucks published nutrition via FastFoodNutrition for a grande cappuccino and a grande caffè latte with 2% milk; checked in October
- Size and ratio comparison: MasterClass
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?
Both are espresso and steamed milk. A cappuccino is about equal parts espresso, steamed milk and thick foam in a small cup, so it tastes bolder. A latte has much more steamed milk and only a thin layer of microfoam, so it is creamier, milder and bigger.
Which is stronger, a cappuccino or a latte?
A cappuccino tastes stronger because less milk dilutes the espresso. The caffeine is the same when both use the same number of shots. For example, a Starbucks grande cappuccino and grande latte each get two shots of espresso.
Does a cappuccino or latte have more calories?
A latte has more calories because it contains more milk. A Starbucks grande with 2% milk is about 190 calories for a latte and about 120 for a cappuccino. Whole milk and flavored syrups raise both; skim or unsweetened plant milk lowers them.
Which is sweeter, a cappuccino or a latte?
A latte tastes sweeter. Neither has added sugar unless you add syrup, but steamed milk tastes naturally sweet and a latte has a lot more of it. A cappuccino has a bigger share of espresso, so it tastes drier and more coffee-forward.
Is a flat white a cappuccino or a latte?
Neither, though it sits in between. A flat white is a small drink with a double shot of espresso and a thin layer of velvety microfoam. It is stronger than a latte and less foamy than a cappuccino.
Can you make an iced cappuccino?
Yes, but the foam behaves differently. Pour espresso and cold milk over ice, then spoon cold foam on top. An iced latte is simpler, which is why it is far more common on cafe menus.
