A latte has the most steamed milk, a cappuccino has less milk and much more foam, and a traditional macchiato is mostly espresso “marked” with only a spoonful of milk or foam. All three contain espresso, but their milk volume and texture make them taste very different.
Latte vs. Cappuccino vs. Macchiato Chart
| Drink | Typical build | Texture | Coffee intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latte | Espresso + lots of steamed milk + thin microfoam | Silky and creamy | Mildest |
| Cappuccino | Espresso + steamed milk + thick foam | Light, airy, foam-forward | Stronger than a latte |
| Espresso macchiato | Espresso + a small dollop of milk/foam | Mostly espresso | Strongest |
Café sizes and ratios vary. The chart describes the classic styles, not every chain recipe.
What Is a Latte?
A caffè latte combines one or more espresso shots with a generous amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam. A useful starting ratio is one part espresso to three or four parts milk, though larger café drinks may be more milk-heavy.
The result is smooth, creamy, and relatively gentle. Milk softens espresso’s acidity and bitterness, making a latte the easiest of the three for people who prefer less coffee intensity. Its fine microfoam also makes it the standard canvas for latte art.
What Is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino also contains espresso and milk, but the milk is divided between steamed liquid milk and a thicker layer of foam. The classic shorthand is equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam, although modern specialty cafés often use silky microfoam rather than three perfectly separate layers.
Because a cappuccino normally contains less liquid milk than a similar latte, the espresso tastes more prominent. The thick foam creates a lighter, airier mouthfeel. Starbucks’ current Cappuccino ingredient list is simply milk and brewed espresso; its description emphasizes the thick foam layer.
What Is an Espresso Macchiato?
Macchiato means “marked” or “stained” in Italian. A traditional espresso macchiato is one or two espresso shots marked with a small dollop of steamed milk and foam. It is a short drink, not a milk-filled cup.
This keeps the espresso flavor front and center while taking a small edge off its intensity. Starbucks’ current Espresso Macchiato is a useful example: its standard doppio is only 1.6 fl oz and contains espresso plus a little milk and foam.
Traditional Macchiato vs. Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
A Starbucks Caramel Macchiato is not the same as a traditional espresso macchiato. It is a much larger, sweet milk drink made with steamed milk, vanilla syrup, espresso, and caramel drizzle. Its construction is closer to a flavored latte with espresso poured over the milk.
| Espresso macchiato | Starbucks Caramel Macchiato | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Very small | Latte-sized |
| Milk | One small dollop | A large amount of steamed milk |
| Sweetener | None by default | Vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle |
| Flavor | Espresso-forward | Sweet, milky, caramel-vanilla |
Which Has More Caffeine?
Caffeine comes mainly from the espresso dose, not the milk-to-foam ratio. If a latte, cappuccino, and macchiato each contain two identical shots, their caffeine is similar. A macchiato may taste stronger simply because there is much less milk diluting the espresso.
Do not infer caffeine from cup size. A large latte can contain the same shots as a smaller cappuccino, while another café may add shots as sizes increase. Check the recipe for the exact drink.
Which Has More Calories?
With the same espresso dose and milk type, the latte usually has the most calories because it contains the most milk. A classic cappuccino generally has fewer, and an unsweetened espresso macchiato has the least because it uses only a small amount of milk.
Flavor syrups and toppings can reverse that order. Starbucks currently lists its standard Grande Cappuccino at 140 calories, while a sweetened Grande Caramel Macchiato is 250 calories. These are chain-specific examples; customization changes the totals.
How to Make Each Drink at Home
Latte
- Brew a double espresso.
- Steam 6–8 ounces of milk into silky microfoam.
- Pour the milk into the espresso and finish with a thin foam layer.
Cappuccino
- Brew a double espresso into a 5–6 ounce cup.
- Steam less milk while incorporating more air than for a latte.
- Pour enough milk and foam to create a smaller, foam-forward drink.
Espresso macchiato
- Brew one or two espresso shots.
- Steam a very small amount of milk.
- Spoon a dollop of milk and foam onto the espresso.
Which One Should You Order?
- Choose a latte for the creamiest, mildest espresso drink.
- Choose a cappuccino for stronger coffee flavor and thick, airy foam.
- Choose an espresso macchiato for an intense, compact drink softened by just a touch of milk.
- Choose a Caramel Macchiato only when you specifically want a sweet vanilla-caramel milk drink.
For more comparisons, read latte vs. mocha, macchiato vs. cortado, and our guide to current Starbucks espresso drinks.
