It is all about the foam
Starbucks Cappuccino vs Latte
How a cappuccino differs from a latte, plus a foam scale that puts the cappuccino next to the latte, flat white, cortado and macchiato, the Starbucks Cappuccino by size, and a home recipe with or without a machine.
Quick answer. Same ingredients, different texture. Both are espresso plus steamed milk. A cappuccino has a deep, airy cap of foam and less liquid milk, so the coffee tastes stronger and the drink feels light. A latte has more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam, so it is creamier, milder and heavier in the hand.
Checked October 2026. Prices are average US prices and vary by store.
Cappuccino vs. Latte: The One-Minute Answer
| Cappuccino | Caffè Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Espresso + some steamed milk + thick foam | Espresso + lots of steamed milk + thin foam |
| Taste | Stronger coffee, airy | Milder, creamy |
| Foam depth | About ¾ inch (2 cm) or more | About ¼ to ½ inch |
| Starbucks Grande | 140 cal · 12 g sugar · 150 mg caffeine | 190 cal · 18 g sugar · 150 mg caffeine |
| Avg. Grande price | $6.48 | $6.48 |
Same caffeine, same shots, same price at Starbucks; you are choosing between more foam (cappuccino) or more milk (latte). More on the other side of this matchup in our caffè latte page.
What Is a Cappuccino?
A cappuccino is an Italian espresso drink built in rough thirds: espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. Starbucks’ ingredient list is just milk and brewed espresso; the barista stretches the milk to make a thick, smooth foam that sits over the shot. Starbucks describes it as dark, rich espresso under a smoothed and stretched layer of thick milk foam.
Where the name comes from
“Cappuccino” is usually traced to the Capuchin friars, whose brown robes and hoods (cappuccio in Italian) match the color of espresso lightened with milk. In Italy it is a morning drink, usually 5 to 6 oz, and rarely ordered after lunch.
Spelling and pronunciation
The correct spelling is cappuccino (double p, double c), plural cappuccinos. Say it “kap-uh-CHEE-noh.” Common misspellings include cappucino, capuccino, capuchino, cappachino and kapochino.
The Foam Scale: Cappuccino vs. Flat White, Cortado, Macchiato & More
Line the espresso-and-milk drinks up from least milk to most and the cappuccino lands right in the middle:
| Drink | Milk and foam | Starbucks default size | Calories | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | None | Doppio | 10 | 150 mg |
| Espresso Macchiato | A dollop of foam | Doppio | 15 | 150 mg |
| Cortado | Equal parts espresso and steamed whole milk, little foam | Short | 90 | 230 mg |
| Cappuccino | Steamed milk + thick foam | Grande | 140 | 150 mg |
| Flat White | Whole milk, thin velvety microfoam, ristretto shots | Tall | 170 | 130 mg |
| Caffè Latte | Lots of steamed milk, thin foam | Grande | 190 | 150 mg |
- Cappuccino vs. flat white: the flat white has very little, very fine foam and sweeter ristretto shots, so it is smoother and more coffee-forward; the cappuccino is foamier. See the flat white on the hot drinks page.
- Cappuccino vs. cortado: a cortado is small and equal parts espresso and milk with little foam; a cappuccino is bigger and foamier. Read our Starbucks cortado page.
- Cappuccino vs. macchiato: an espresso macchiato is just a shot “marked” with foam; a latte macchiato is milk “marked” with espresso. Both are different from a cappuccino.
- Cappuccino vs. Americano: an Americano is espresso and hot water, no milk (Grande: 15 calories, 225 mg caffeine). See the Caffè Americano page.
- Cappuccino vs. mocha: a mocha adds chocolate sauce and whipped cream to a latte-style drink. See the mocha page.
- Cappuccino vs. regular coffee: brewed coffee has no milk and, at Starbucks, usually more caffeine per cup.
The Starbucks Cappuccino by Size
| Size | Shots | Calories | Sugar | Protein | Caffeine | Avg. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short (8 oz) | 1 | 70 | 6 g | 4 g | 75 mg | — |
| Tall (12 oz) | 1 | 100 | 9 g | 7 g | 75 mg | $5.72 |
| Grande (16 oz) | 2 | 140 | 12 g | 9 g | 150 mg | $6.48 |
| Venti (20 oz) | 2 | 200 | 19 g | 13 g | 150 mg | $7.09 |
A Short Cappuccino is the closest to a traditional Italian size. For cup sizes in ounces, see the Starbucks sizes page.
Wet, dry and other ways to order
| Order | What you get |
|---|---|
| Dry cappuccino | More foam, less milk; lighter and stronger |
| Bone-dry cappuccino | Almost all foam |
| Wet cappuccino | More milk, less foam; closer to a latte |
| Vanilla or caramel cappuccino | Add 1 to 3 pumps of syrup |
| Blonde cappuccino | Smoother, sweeter Blonde espresso |
| Decaf cappuccino | Decaf espresso shots |
| Oat, almond or soy cappuccino | Oat milk foams best; almond foam is lighter and fades faster |
Iced cappuccino: there is no iced cappuccino on the current Starbucks menu, because foam does not survive well on ice. Order an iced latte with cold foam instead, or try the Greek freddo cappuccino at home (see the tips below). Instant “French vanilla cappuccino” mixes are sweet powdered drinks, not espresso cappuccinos.
Browse every espresso drink on the Starbucks hot drinks menu.
How to Make a Cappuccino at Home
Ingredients
- 2 shots (2 oz / 60 ml) espresso, or 2 oz of very strong coffee (moka pot or AeroPress)
- 4 to 5 oz (120 to 150 ml) cold whole or 2% milk (it doubles in volume as it foams)
- Optional: cocoa powder or cinnamon for dusting; 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar or syrup
Instructions
- Warm the cup. Rinse a 6 to 8 oz cup with hot water so the drink stays hot.
- Brew the espresso. Pull a double shot into the warm cup. No machine: brew 2 oz of strong coffee in a moka pot or AeroPress.
- Foam the milk. With a steam wand, keep the tip just under the surface for 5 to 8 seconds to stretch the milk until it grows by about half, then sink it to heat to 140–150°F (60–65°C). No wand: heat the milk, then froth it with a handheld frother for 20 to 30 seconds, or pump it in a French press 15 to 20 times.
- Rest and swirl. Tap the pitcher to pop large bubbles and swirl so the foam looks glossy, like wet paint.
- Pour. Pour into the center of the espresso so milk and foam fill the cup, ending with a thick dome of foam about ¾ inch (2 cm) deep. Dust with cocoa or cinnamon if you like.
Cappuccino tips and variations
- Start with cold milk in a cold pitcher; it gives you more time to build foam before it gets hot.
- Whole milk makes the richest, most stable foam; for plant milk, choose an oat “barista” style.
- Too bubbly? You added air too long. Too flat? Not long enough. Aim for milk that grows by about 50%.
- Starbucks-size version: for a 16 oz Grande, use 2 shots and about 8 oz of milk.
- Mocha cappuccino (mochaccino): stir 1 tablespoon chocolate sauce into the espresso first.
- Freddo cappuccino: shake or blend 2 shots of espresso with ice, strain over fresh ice, and top with cold milk whipped with a frother.
- Storage: a cappuccino does not keep; the foam collapses within minutes. Make it fresh.
Watch: Cappuccino Without an Espresso Machine
Cappuccino FAQs
What is the difference between a cappuccino and a latte?
Both are espresso and steamed milk. A cappuccino has a thick, airy layer of foam and less liquid milk, so it tastes stronger and feels lighter. A latte has more steamed milk and only a thin layer of foam, so it is creamier and milder. At Starbucks a Grande Cappuccino has 140 calories and a Grande Latte has 190; both have 150 mg of caffeine.
What is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino is an espresso drink made with equal-ish parts espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. Starbucks makes it with espresso under a thick layer of foamed milk.
Does a cappuccino have caffeine?
Yes. All the caffeine comes from the espresso: about 75 mg in a Starbucks Short or Tall (1 shot) and 150 mg in a Grande or Venti (2 shots).
How many calories are in a cappuccino?
A Starbucks Cappuccino with 2% milk has 70 (Short), 100 (Tall), 140 (Grande) or 200 (Venti) calories.
What is a dry cappuccino?
A dry cappuccino has extra foam and less liquid milk. A bone-dry cappuccino is almost all foam. A wet cappuccino has more steamed milk and less foam, so it is closer to a latte.
Is there an iced cappuccino at Starbucks?
Not on the current US menu, because foam does not hold up well over ice. The closest order is an Iced Latte with cold foam on top. Greek freddo cappuccino (shaken espresso with cold milk foam) is a similar idea.
Cappuccino vs. macchiato: what is the difference?
An espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a spoonful of foam, so it is much smaller and stronger. A cappuccino is a full cup with milk and thick foam. Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiato is different again: a layered vanilla latte.
Cappuccino vs. Frappuccino?
A cappuccino is a hot espresso and foamed-milk drink. A Frappuccino is Starbucks’ trademarked blended iced drink made with ice, milk and syrup or coffee.
Why is it called a cappuccino?
The name is usually linked to the Capuchin friars, whose brown hooded robes match the drink’s color. “Cappuccio” means hood in Italian.
Nutrition, caffeine and ingredients are from starbucks.com (checked October 2026), made with 2% milk unless noted. Prices are average US prices and vary by store. starbukmenu.com is not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.
