☕ Coffee guide

Latte vs Cappuccino

Two of the most-ordered coffees in the world, built from the same parts in very different proportions.

A latte and a cappuccino start from the exact same two things: a shot of espresso and steamed milk. What separates them is how much milk, how much foam, and how big the cup — and those small differences add up to two genuinely different drinks.

Cappuccino — bold, foamy, and small

The classic cappuccino is built on roughly equal thirds: one part espresso, one part steamed milk, one part thick milk foam. It's served small (around 5–6 oz) with a deep, airy foam cap — often 15–20 mm thick. Because there's less milk overall, the espresso stays front and center: bolder, more coffee-forward, with a light, cloud-like top.

Latte — milky, mellow, and larger

A latte flips the balance toward milk — typically three or more parts steamed milk to one part espresso — served larger (12–16 oz) with just a thin layer of foam on top (often a centimeter or less). The result is milder, creamier, and smoother, with the espresso softened into the background. It's also the canvas for latte art.

Side by side

• Milk-to-espresso: cappuccino ~1:1; latte ~3:1 or more.
• Foam: cappuccino has a thick, airy cap; a latte has a thin layer.
• Size: cappuccino 5–6 oz; latte 12–16 oz.
• Taste: cappuccino is bolder and coffee-forward; a latte is milkier and mellow.

Which should you order?

Want to actually taste the espresso, with a bit of foamy texture? Get a cappuccino. Want a bigger, softer, milkier cup you can sip slowly? Get a latte. Curious where the flat white fits between them? See Flat White vs Latte, and our full coffee drinks glossary.