Free tool
Latte, Cappuccino & Flat White Ratio Calculator
A cappuccino is roughly one third espresso, one third steamed milk and one third foam. A latte is the same espresso with far more milk and only a thin cap of microfoam. Choose a drink and cup size below to get the exact millilitres for each part.
Latte · 300 ml cup
Espresso: 60 ml (about 2 shots)
Steamed milk: 210 ml
Foam: 30 ml
Glossy microfoam. Keep the frother deeper so you avoid dry bubbles.
Heat the milk to 60-65 °C — hotter and the foam collapses.
What to watch out for
Milk temperature matters more than the ratio
Heat milk to 60-65 °C. Past roughly 70 °C the proteins break down, the foam collapses and the milk tastes scalded.
Foam depth is what separates the drinks
Cappuccino foam is stiff and airy — froth near the surface for 15-20 seconds. Latte foam is wet and glossy — keep the frother deeper so you build microfoam instead of bubbles.
You do not need an espresso machine
A moka pot, Aeropress or strong filter concentrate substitutes for the espresso. Milk texture is the part that actually needs a tool.
Questions
What is the ratio for a latte?
Roughly 1 part espresso to 4-6 parts steamed milk, finished with about 1 cm of microfoam.
What is the ratio for a cappuccino?
Equal thirds: espresso, steamed milk and thick foam, traditionally in a 150-180 ml cup.
How much milk is in a flat white?
About 120 ml of steamed milk with 1-2 shots of espresso and very little dry foam.
How hot should the milk be?
60-65 °C. Hotter than about 70 °C and the foam collapses and the milk tastes burnt.
Read the full guide
Latte vs Cappuccino: The Real Difference
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