Latte vs. Cappuccino: What’s the Difference?

In This Guide

1. What Is a Latte?
2. What Is a Cappuccino?
3. Key Differences
4. Caffeine Comparison
5. Which Should You Order?
6. How to Make Both
7. Which Beans to Use
8. FAQ

Walk into any coffee shop and you will see both on the menu. But unless you have ordered them side by side, latte vs. cappuccino can feel like a guessing game. They are both espresso drinks with milk, so what is actually different?

The short answer: it comes down to milk ratio and foam texture. A latte is creamy and mellow. A cappuccino is drier, airier, and lets the espresso shine. Here is the full breakdown.

Written by Nick Murphy, who roasts our coffee in Vancouver, Washington on a fluid-bed air roaster.

What Is a Latte?

A latte (short for caffè latte, Italian for "milk coffee") is espresso mixed with a large portion of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam on top.

Standard latte ratio: 1 to 2 shots of espresso plus 6 to 8 oz of steamed milk, finished with a thin layer of microfoam.

The high milk ratio softens the espresso's bitterness and creates a velvety, almost dessert-like texture. That is why lattes pair so naturally with vanilla syrup, caramel, or seasonal flavors. The milk acts like a blank canvas.

What Is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is a smaller, more concentrated drink built on equal thirds: espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam. The foam is not just decoration. It is structural, creating a drier, airier texture that puts the espresso front and center.

Standard cappuccino ratio: 1 to 2 oz of espresso, 1 to 2 oz of steamed milk, and 1 to 2 oz of dense foam.

A traditional cappuccino is a 5 to 6 oz drink. The foam insulates the espresso, holds heat longer, and changes how you experience each sip. Because there is less milk, you taste more coffee.

Latte vs. Cappuccino: The Key Differences

The biggest misconception: a cappuccino is not more caffeinated than a latte just because it tastes stronger. If you order the same number of espresso shots, you get the same caffeine. The difference is purely milk volume and foam texture.

Caffeine: Latte vs. Cappuccino

Both drinks use the same espresso base, so caffeine is nearly identical. According to USDA FoodData Central, a 1 oz shot of espresso carries roughly 60 to 75 mg of caffeine, which works out to about:

• Single shot of espresso: about 60 to 75 mg of caffeine
• Double shot of espresso: about 120 to 150 mg of caffeine
• A standard latte made with a double shot: about 120 to 150 mg
• A standard cappuccino made with a double shot: about 120 to 150 mg

The cappuccino feels stronger because there is less milk to soften the espresso's intensity. But your total caffeine intake is the same, drink for drink.

Which Should You Order?

Here is a simple decision guide:

• You want something creamy and mild: order a latte
• You like strong coffee flavor: order a cappuccino
• You are adding a flavored syrup: order a latte, since milk carries flavor better
• You want to taste the espresso: order a cappuccino
• You are new to espresso drinks: start with a latte
• You want a smaller, classic European-style drink: order a cappuccino

Both are excellent drinks. The difference is not quality, it is preference. If you are exploring espresso-forward brewing, a cappuccino is one of the best ways to understand what a single-origin coffee actually tastes like.

For that, it matters what goes into the machine. We roast our beans on a fluid-bed air roaster, and in our own cupping we tend to taste clean, bright notes that hold up well as espresso. That clarity is easy to lose in a milky latte but easy to notice in a cappuccino, where the foam does not bury the cup. You can browse our current single-origin and blended coffees if you want to try this at home.

How to Make Both at Home

You do not need a $2,000 espresso machine to make a solid latte or cappuccino at home. Here is a practical guide.

Equipment you will need

• Espresso machine (or a Moka pot or AeroPress for a close approximation)
• Milk frother or steam wand
• A thermometer (target 140 to 160°F for steamed milk)

Making a latte at home

1. Pull a double shot of espresso (about 2 oz) into a preheated 10 to 12 oz cup
2. Steam 6 to 8 oz of whole milk to about 150°F, aerating lightly for thin microfoam
3. Pour the steamed milk into the espresso using a circular motion
4. Finish with a small pour of foam across the top

Making a cappuccino at home

1. Pull a double shot into a preheated 5 to 6 oz cup
2. Steam 3 to 4 oz of milk to about 150 to 155°F, aerating longer to create thick, dense foam
3. Pour a small amount of steamed milk into the espresso (about 1 to 1.5 oz)
4. Spoon the thick foam on top so it mounds slightly above the rim

If you want to explore the espresso-drink spectrum further, our cortado guide covers the middle ground between a cappuccino and a latte. It is worth trying if you are building your palate.

Which Beans to Use for a Latte or Cappuccino

Here is what we reach for in our own roastery when we are pulling shots for milk drinks. These are notes we taste on our cupping table, not promises, since every palate is a little different.

• For a balanced latte: Our Colombia El Tiple brings a rounded, chocolatey sweetness that holds up under a lot of milk. Our House Blend is another easy everyday pick.
• For a cappuccino where you want the espresso to lead: A bright single origin like Costa Rica Tarrazú or Ethiopia Sunrise shows its character clearly when the milk is light.
• For an evening cup: Our Evening Grace Decaf is decaffeinated with a sugarcane (ethyl acetate) process, so you can enjoy a late cappuccino without the caffeine.

Espresso beverage ratios are based on standards from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and traditional Italian coffee culture. Caffeine and calorie figures are drawn from USDA FoodData Central and typical café nutrition listings, and will vary by recipe, milk, and cup size.