A Nespresso Gran Lungo is a 5.07 fl oz (150 ml) Vertuo coffee size. It sits between Double Espresso (2.7 oz) and Coffee/Mug (7.77 oz), producing a longer, Americano-inspired cup with more volume than espresso but a more concentrated profile than a full mug coffee.
Gran Lungo is a Vertuo capsule category—not a button you select on an Original machine. A compatible Vertuo machine reads the capsule barcode and automatically adjusts the brew.
Gran Lungo at a Glance
| Serving size | 5.07 fl oz / 150 ml |
|---|---|
| System | Nespresso Vertuo |
| Position in the range | Larger than Double Espresso; smaller than 7.77 oz Coffee |
| Style | Americano-inspired long coffee with Vertuo crema |
| Compatible capsules | Vertuo Gran Lungo capsules only |
| Milk-friendly? | Yes, especially stronger blends such as Fortado |
What Does Gran Lungo Mean?
Lungo means “long” in Italian. In traditional espresso terminology, a lungo is a longer extraction than an espresso. Nespresso uses Gran Lungo as the name of its 150 ml Vertuo cup category.
It is misleading to describe Gran Lungo as simply a larger Original-line lungo. The systems use different capsules and extraction methods. Vertuo recognizes the barcode around the capsule rim and sets the water volume and other parameters automatically. Original machines use smaller capsules and brew their own Espresso and Lungo sizes.
Gran Lungo vs. Other Nespresso Sizes
| Vertuo size | Volume | Best description |
|---|---|---|
| Ristretto | 0.85 oz | Very short, concentrated coffee |
| Espresso | 1.35 oz | Classic espresso-size serving |
| Double Espresso | 2.7 oz | Two-espresso-size serving, useful for milk drinks |
| Gran Lungo | 5.07 oz | Long, Americano-inspired coffee |
| Coffee | 7.77 oz | Full mug-style coffee |
| Alto | 12 oz | Extra-large coffee on compatible machines |
| Carafe | 18 oz | Pour-over-style serving on compatible machines |
Machine compatibility varies for the largest Vertuo formats. Gran Lungo is supported across the core Vertuo range, including current Pop and Next machines. Check your machine manual if the capsule or cup size is unfamiliar.
Gran Lungo vs. Lungo
An Original-line Lungo is typically around 110 ml (about 3.7 oz), while a Vertuo Gran Lungo is 150 ml (5.07 oz). They are not interchangeable capsule formats. Use an Original Lungo capsule in an Original machine and a Vertuo Gran Lungo capsule in a Vertuo machine.
Both aim for a longer coffee than espresso, but they can taste different because the systems extract coffee differently. See our deeper lungo versus espresso comparison.
Gran Lungo vs. Americano
An Americano is made by adding hot water to brewed espresso. A Gran Lungo is brewed directly from one Vertuo capsule to its programmed 5.07-ounce volume. Nespresso calls the category “Americano-inspired,” but it is not prepared by separately pulling espresso and adding water.
Choose an Americano when you want control over espresso-to-water ratio. Choose Gran Lungo when you want a one-touch long coffee with the aroma, body, and crema designed for that capsule. Learn more in our guide to what an Americano is.
How Much Caffeine Is in a Gran Lungo?
There is no single caffeine number for every Gran Lungo. Caffeine depends on the coffee blend, the amount of ground coffee, and whether the capsule is regular or decaffeinated. A darker “intensity” rating does not directly equal more caffeine.
For example, Fortado and Fortado Decaffeinato share a strong intensity rating but have very different caffeine expectations. Use Nespresso’s current product information for the exact capsule and our Nespresso caffeine chart rather than estimating from cup volume alone.
Current Gran Lungo Capsules
Nespresso’s current U.S. Vertuo range lists Gran Lungo options including:
- Inizio: floral and cereal notes; intensity 4.
- Arondio: cereal and mild; intensity 6.
- Fortado: intense and full-bodied with cocoa and oak notes; intensity 8.
- Fortado Decaffeinato: a decaffeinated, intense Gran Lungo option.
Availability and prices change, so check the current official Vertuo capsule range before choosing.
How to Brew a Gran Lungo
- Fill and seat the water tank.
- Place a cup holding at least 6 ounces under the outlet.
- Insert a Vertuo Gran Lungo capsule with the dome facing down and close the head.
- Lock the machine and press the brew button once.
- Let the machine stop automatically; the barcode sets the intended volume.
Drink it black, add a small amount of milk, or use a stronger Gran Lungo as the coffee base for a larger milk drink. If the machine will not recognize or brew the capsule, use our Nespresso troubleshooting guide.
The Bottom Line
Gran Lungo is Nespresso Vertuo’s 5.07-ounce long-coffee size. It offers more volume than Double Espresso and more concentration than a 7.77-ounce mug coffee. Use a Gran Lungo Vertuo capsule and let the machine read its barcode—there is no need to select a separate “lungo” setting.
