Latte 101, the Starbucks way
Starbucks Caffè Latte: Calories, Price, and Caffeine
What a latte is and what “latte” actually means, how it differs from a macchiato, latte macchiato and cappuccino, the Starbucks Caffè Latte by size, and how to make one at home with or without a machine.
Quick answer. A latte (caffè latte) is espresso with lots of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. “Latte” is simply Italian for milk. At Starbucks, a Grande Caffè Latte is 2 shots of espresso and steamed 2% milk: 190 calories, 13 g of protein and 150 mg of caffeine, for about $6.48. It is the base for flavored lattes like vanilla, caramel and pistachio.
- Size in this answer: Grande
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 13 g
- Caffeine: 150 mg
- Average US price: $6.48
Checked October 2026. Prices are average US prices and vary by store.
What “Latte” Means
In Italian, latte means milk and caffè latte means “coffee and milk.” If you order just a “latte” in Italy you may get a glass of milk. In the US, latte always means the espresso drink. Italy’s home version, caffelatte, is often brewed coffee or moka coffee with warm milk.
What is in a latte?
| Part | How much (16 oz Grande) | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 2 shots (about 2 oz) | Coffee flavor and caffeine |
| Steamed milk | About 12 oz | Creamy body, natural sweetness |
| Milk foam | A thin layer, about ½ inch | Silky top; enough for latte art |
The Starbucks Caffè Latte by Size
| Size | Shots | Calories | Sugar | Protein | Caffeine | Avg. price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short (8 oz) | 1 | 100 | 9 g | 6 g | 75 mg | $5.61 |
| Tall (12 oz) | 1 | 150 | 14 g | 10 g | 75 mg | $5.72 |
| Grande (16 oz) | 2 | 190 | 18 g | 13 g | 150 mg | $6.48 |
| Venti hot (20 oz) | 2 | 250 | 23 g | 16 g | 150 mg | $7.02 |
| Iced Caffè Latte | Calories | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Tall | 100 | 75 mg |
| Grande | 130 | 150 mg |
| Venti (24 oz) | 180 | 225 mg |
All of the sugar in a plain latte comes from the milk; there is no added sugar until you add syrup. Want the size guide in ounces? See the Starbucks sizes post.
Change the milk, change the latte
| Milk option | What changes |
|---|---|
| Nonfat (“skinny latte”) | Fewer calories and fat, a little less creamy |
| Whole milk or breve (half-and-half) | Richer and creamier, more calories |
| Almond milk | Lightest plant milk, thin body |
| Oat milk | Creamy, steams well, slightly sweet |
| Soy or coconut milk | Soy is creamy with more protein; coconut is light and tropical |
For a decaf latte, ask for decaf espresso; for a smoother taste, ask for Blonde espresso.
Latte vs. Macchiato vs. Cappuccino
These are the most confused coffee drinks. Here is the simple version:
| Drink | Build | Milk and foam | Starbucks example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffè Latte | Espresso + lots of steamed milk | Lots of milk, thin foam | Grande Latte: 190 cal, 150 mg |
| Cappuccino | Espresso + some milk + thick foam | Less milk, deep foam | Grande Cappuccino: 140 cal, 150 mg |
| Caffè (espresso) macchiato | Espresso “marked” with a dollop of foam | Almost no milk | Espresso Macchiato (Doppio): 15 cal, 150 mg |
| Latte macchiato | Steamed milk “marked” with espresso poured on top | Mostly milk, layered | Not on the US Starbucks menu |
| Caramel Macchiato (Starbucks) | Vanilla syrup, steamed milk, espresso on top, caramel drizzle | A layered, sweet latte | Grande: 250 cal, 150 mg |
| Flat White | Ristretto shots + whole milk, thin microfoam | Less milk than a latte | Tall: 170 cal, 130 mg |
Caffè macchiato vs. latte macchiato: “macchiato” means “marked” or “stained.” A caffè macchiato is espresso marked with milk; a latte macchiato is milk marked with espresso. Same word, opposite drinks.
Latte vs. regular coffee
A latte uses espresso and is mostly milk, so it is creamier and milder. Drip coffee has no milk and, at Starbucks, more caffeine: a Grande Pike Place has about 315 mg versus 150 mg in a Grande latte.
Types of Lattes at Starbucks
| Latte (Grande, hot) | Calories | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Caffè Latte | 190 | 150 mg |
| Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte | 250 | 170 mg |
| Lavender Latte | 240 | 150 mg |
| Toasted Coconut Latte | 230 | 150 mg |
| Pecan Crunch Latte | 260 | 170 mg |
| Pistachio Latte | 320 | 150 mg |
| Cinnamon Dolce Latte | 340 | 150 mg |
| Pumpkin Spice Latte (fall) | 390 | 150 mg |
| Vanilla Protein Latte | 310 | 150 mg |
See every hot latte and espresso drink on our Starbucks hot drinks page, and the iced versions on the cold drinks page.
How to Make a Latte at Home
Ingredients
- 2 shots (2 oz / 60 ml) espresso, or ½ cup very strong coffee
- 1 to 1 ½ cups (8 to 12 oz) whole or 2% milk
- Optional: 1 to 2 tablespoons syrup (vanilla, caramel, hazelnut) or sugar
Instructions
- Brew the espresso. Pull a double shot of espresso into a 12 to 16 oz mug. No machine: use a moka pot, an AeroPress concentrate, or 2 teaspoons instant espresso dissolved in 2 oz hot water.
- Add flavor (optional). Stir syrup or sugar into the hot espresso so it mixes evenly.
- Steam the milk. Steam the milk with a wand, tip just below the surface for the first 3 to 5 seconds to add air, then deeper to heat it to 140–150°F (60–65°C). No wand: heat the milk and froth it with a handheld frother, or shake it in a jar with the lid on for 30 seconds, then microwave 30 seconds to stabilize the foam.
- Pour. Tap and swirl the pitcher to remove big bubbles. Pour the milk into the center of the espresso, holding back the foam, then let a thin (about ½ inch) layer of foam slide on top.
Latte tips
- Do not overheat the milk. Above about 160°F it tastes flat and loses sweetness.
- Whole milk makes the silkiest microfoam; oat milk is the best plant-based option for foam.
- Fresh espresso matters: pull the shot right before you pour the milk.
- Iced latte: espresso over ice, then 1 cup of cold milk; no steaming needed.
- Flavored latte: 1 to 2 tablespoons of syrup per 12 to 16 oz.
Watch: Lattes With and Without a Machine
Latte FAQs
What is a latte?
A latte (caffè latte) is espresso mixed with a lot of steamed milk and topped with a thin layer of foam. “Latte” means “milk” in Italian, so caffè latte means “coffee and milk.”
Does a latte have espresso and caffeine?
Yes. A latte is built on espresso. A Starbucks Tall Caffè Latte has one shot (about 75 mg of caffeine) and a Grande has two shots (about 150 mg).
How many calories are in a latte?
At Starbucks, made with 2% milk: 100 in a Short, 150 in a Tall, 190 in a Grande and 250 in a Venti. The Iced Caffè Latte has 100, 130 and 180 calories in a Tall, Grande and Venti.
What is the difference between a latte and a macchiato?
A latte is mostly steamed milk with espresso mixed in. A traditional caffè macchiato is a shot of espresso “marked” with a dollop of milk foam. A latte macchiato is the reverse: steamed milk “marked” with espresso poured on top. Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiato is a layered vanilla latte with caramel drizzle.
Latte vs. cappuccino: what is the difference?
Both use espresso and steamed milk, but a cappuccino has much more foam and less milk, so it is lighter and foamier. At Starbucks a Grande Cappuccino has 140 calories; a Grande Latte has 190.
How much is a latte at Starbucks?
About $5.72 for a Tall, $6.48 for a Grande and $7.02 for a Venti hot Caffè Latte at average US prices. Prices vary by store.
How much milk is in a latte?
Typically 6 to 10 oz of steamed milk for 1 to 2 shots of espresso, which is about 3 to 5 times as much milk as coffee.
Starbucks nutrition and caffeine are from starbucks.com (checked October 2026) with 2% milk. Prices are average US prices and vary by store. starbukmenu.com is not affiliated with Starbucks Corporation.
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