A latte vs cappuccino comes down to milk and foam. A latte is mostly steamed milk with a thin layer of foam, so it tastes mild and creamy. A cappuccino is smaller, with equal-ish parts espresso, steamed milk and thick foam, so the coffee tastes stronger. A flat white sits between them: a small drink with a double shot and a very thin layer of silky microfoam, giving the strongest coffee flavor of the three.
All three use the same ingredients. The ratios and the texture of the milk make the difference.
Latte vs cappuccino vs flat white at a glance
| Latte | Cappuccino | Flat white | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 240–350 ml (8–12 oz), often larger | 150–180 ml (5–6 oz) | 150–180 ml (5–6 oz) |
| Espresso | Single or double | Single or double | Usually double (or ristretto) |
| Steamed milk | Lots | Less | Less |
| Foam layer | About 1 cm | About 2 cm or more, airy | Thin, about 0.5 cm, silky |
| Coffee strength in the cup | Mildest | Medium | Strongest |
| Texture | Creamy, smooth | Light, foamy | Velvety, dense |
| Typical caffeine | About 63–126 mg | About 63–126 mg | About 126 mg |
Caffeine depends on the number of shots, not the drink name. A single shot of espresso has roughly 63 mg of caffeine, according to the Mayo Clinic. Café sizes and recipes vary a lot, so treat these as typical, not fixed rules.
What is a latte?
A latte (short for caffè latte, “milk coffee” in Italian) is espresso topped with a generous amount of steamed milk and a thin cap of foam. The milk dominates, so it tastes sweet, mild and creamy.
- Ratio: roughly 1 part espresso to 3–5 parts milk.
- Best for: people who want a gentle coffee flavor, and for flavored drinks such as vanilla or pumpkin spice lattes.
- Milk texture: smooth microfoam, which makes it the classic canvas for latte art.
What is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino is a smaller drink with a thicker, airier foam layer. The traditional Italian version is about 150–180 ml with a single shot. Many cafés now serve “wet” cappuccinos with more milk and less foam, and “dry” ones with mostly foam.
- Ratio: often described as one third espresso, one third milk, one third foam, though modern versions are closer to a small latte with more foam.
- Taste: stronger coffee flavor than a latte, with a light, fluffy mouthfeel.
- Best for: people who like foam and a balanced coffee-to-milk taste.
What is a flat white?
The flat white comes from Australia and New Zealand. It uses less milk than a latte and has a very thin, glossy layer of microfoam that blends into the drink rather than sitting on top.
- Ratio: usually a double shot with about 100–120 ml of milk.
- Taste: the most coffee-forward of the three. You taste the espresso clearly, softened by silky milk.
- Best for: people who find lattes too milky but cappuccinos too foamy.
How the milk texture changes the taste
The biggest difference between these drinks is not the amount of coffee but how the milk is steamed. Steaming does two things: it heats milk and adds air.
- Latte milk gets a short burst of air and a long spin. The result is smooth milk with a little foam that blends evenly through the drink.
- Cappuccino milk gets more air, so the foam is thicker and lighter. Your first sips are mostly foam, then the coffee and milk come through.
- Flat white milk gets very little air. The microfoam is dense and glossy, so it carries the espresso flavor rather than sitting on top of it.
Milk also tastes sweeter at around 55–65°C (130–150°F). Very hot milk tastes flatter, which is one reason specialty cafés avoid steaming milk past about 70°C.
Where the drinks come from
The cappuccino and latte both come from Italy, where cappuccino is traditionally a morning drink and “latte” on its own simply means milk. The large café latte is largely a creation of American and European coffee chains. The flat white grew out of the Australian and New Zealand café scenes in the 1980s and spread worldwide in the 2010s, when chains began adding it to menus.
Regional sizes still vary. In Italy, a cappuccino is small and a latte may be served in a glass. In the US, both are often 350 ml or more. When in doubt, ask the café what size and how many shots they use.
Which one should you order?
- Want it mild and creamy? Latte.
- Love foam? Cappuccino.
- Want to taste the coffee but keep it smooth? Flat white.
- Want the least milk? Try a cortado (equal parts espresso and milk) or a macchiato (espresso with a spoon of foam).
For a wider list, see our guide to types of coffee drinks.
Iced versions
An iced latte is simply espresso poured over ice and cold milk. Iced cappuccinos usually swap hot foam for cold foam on top. There is no true iced flat white, because its defining feature is warm, silky microfoam, though some cafés sell one made with whole milk and an extra shot.
How to make each one at home
You need an espresso machine with a steam wand, or a good frother. If you are just starting out, our beginner’s guide to making espresso at home covers the basics, and our list of the best espresso machines for beginners can help you choose a machine.
Latte
- Pull a single or double shot (for example 18 g in, 36 g out).
- Steam about 180–250 ml of milk with a short stretch of 3–5 seconds, to about 60–65°C.
- Pour into a 240–350 ml cup, finishing with a thin foam layer.
Cappuccino
- Pull a single or double shot.
- Steam about 100–120 ml of milk with a longer stretch of 6–10 seconds for more foam.
- Pour into a 150–180 ml cup, letting a thick foam cap form.
Flat white
- Pull a double shot or a double ristretto.
- Steam about 100–120 ml of milk with a very short stretch of 1–3 seconds for thin, silky microfoam.
- Pour low and steady into a 150–180 ml cup so the foam blends in.
For step-by-step milk technique, read how to steam milk for latte art at home. More recipes are in our espresso drink recipes collection.
FAQ
Which is stronger, a latte or a cappuccino?
With the same number of shots, both have the same caffeine. A cappuccino tastes stronger because it has less milk diluting the espresso.
Is a flat white just a small latte?
Close, but not quite. A flat white usually has a double shot, less milk and thinner, silkier foam, so it tastes more coffee-forward than a small latte.
Which has the fewest calories?
Usually the cappuccino or flat white, because they use less milk than a latte. The type of milk and any syrup matter more than the drink name.
What is a dry cappuccino?
A dry cappuccino has more foam and less liquid milk than usual. A wet cappuccino is the opposite, closer to a latte.
What is the difference between a flat white and a cortado?
A cortado is smaller, usually equal parts espresso and steamed milk with almost no foam, served in a 120–150 ml glass. A flat white has a bit more milk and a thin, silky microfoam layer.
Can you make these drinks with plant milk?
Yes. Barista versions of oat or soy milk steam best and hold foam well enough for all three drinks.