Latte vs. Flat White: What’s the Difference?

The primary difference between a latte vs. flat white is the coffee-to-milk ratio. Lattes contain much more steamed milk compared to coffee, resulting in a milkier, creamier beverage with less coffee flavor. Flat whites have a higher proportion of coffee to milk, creating a more intense coffee flavor.

But there are other differences beyond the ratio that make these espresso drinks unique. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about the difference between lattes and flat whites and help you decide which is a better fit for you.

What Is a Latte?

A latte is an espresso-based drink made with steamed milk. The word “latte” comes from the Italian word “caffelatte” meaning “coffee & milk.” Unlike a cappuccino which contains equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk, a latte features much more steamed milk with just a dollop of foam on top.

The creamy, milky latte originated in Italy in the 1950s and grew popular in the U.S. in the 1980s when espresso machines became more common. Its rise coincided with the boom of Starbucks and specialty coffee shops. The latte became a signature drink, introducing many people to the richness of espresso combined with velvety steamed milk.

Today, the latte remains an extremely popular coffee drink. The comforting, sweet warmth of a latte makes it a perfect breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up beverage.

How Do You Make a Latte?

Here are the steps to make a traditional latte:

Brew a single shot of espresso (around 1 fluid ounce). For a stronger latte, you can do a double shot.
Steam milk to create microfoam. Whole milk works best. The milk should be heated to between 160 and 180 degrees (F). Froth the milk while steaming to incorporate air and generate silky microfoam.
Pour the espresso into a preheated 12 to 16 oz latte glass or mug.
Add steamed milk and spoon over the microfoam to create a creamy layer on top. The typical ratio is between 8 and 15 ounces of steamed milk to 1 to 2 ounces of espresso.
Top with latte art if desired. This usually involves pouring the milk in specific patterns to create decorative designs like hearts or rosettas. Latte art requires practice but adds an artistic flair to the latte presentation.
You can add flavors like vanilla, caramel, or pumpkin spice. Sweeten with sugar or honey if desired.

What Is a Flat White?

A flat white is an espresso drink made with microfoamed milk. It originated in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s, and has since spread in popularity across the world.

The key characteristic of a flat white is the higher coffee to milk ratio. A typical flat white contains a double shot of espresso (2 fluid ounce) topped with silky, velvety microfoam. The milk still creates lovely foam art, but the focus is on tasting the espresso. The “flat” description refers to the short layer of foam that sits without much height or contrast on the surface.

With its intensity and bold coffee flavor, the flat white attracts those who want more than just a milky, creamy latte. The acidic brightness of the espresso balances beautifully with the sweet, steamed milk. Since flat whites highlight your coffee more, you may need to spend a bit more time fixing overly acidic coffee or dialing down the bitterness in your coffee to get the overall flavor profile right.

The flat white exploded in popularity with the rise of third wave coffee culture and discerning coffee drinkers. It’s now offered on most specialty coffee menus as one of the espresso drinks of choice for coffee purists, who typically find lattes to be too milk-forward.

How Do You Make a Flat White?

Here are the steps to make the perfect flat white at home:

Brew a double shot of espresso (around 2 fluid ounces). It’s common to use a high quality dark roast that will hold up to the milk.
Steam and froth whole milk to create silky microfoam. Heat milk to between 160 and 180 degrees (F).
Swirl the espresso in a preheated cup that can hold 6 to 8 oz. This helps release aromas.
Add the steamed milk, holding back the foam. The ratio should be between 1:1 and 2:1 milk to espresso.
Spoon over the microfoam to sit flat on the surface. The foam layer should be quite thin, around a quarter of an inch.
Pour latte art if desired. You have less milk to work with, so designs are more challenging. Start with a simple dot or heart shape.
Add sugar or flavor syrups to taste.

Flat White vs. Latte: How Are They Different?

Now that we’ve covered how to make a latte and flat white, let’s do a deep dive into all the ways these two espresso drinks differ. From preparation techniques to taste profiles, you’ll see that lattes and flat whites each offer their own unique experience. Read on to learn how these milk-based coffee beverages compare.

Preparation

When it comes to preparation, lattes are generally a little simpler to make than flat whites. With a latte, you just need to brew a shot of espresso and steam a large quantity of milk until hot and frothy. The high milk content means there is more room for error in the frothing process. Plus, you don’t have to worry about making perfectly velvety microfoam.

Next, combine the espresso and steamed milk, free pouring both into the cup, and finish with a light layer of foam on top. The entire latte-making process takes just a couple of minutes.

Flat whites require more attention when steaming and frothing the milk in order to create the signature smooth, thin microfoam layer. You have less milk to work with than a latte, too, so getting your microfoam perfect is essential for proper texture.

The process of gently swirling the espresso and pouring or spooning the microfoam on top also takes precision. New baristas often take extra time perfecting their flat white technique. But with practice, experienced baristas can make flawless microfoam and assemble a flat white nearly as quickly as a latte.

Winner: Latte

Brewing Equipment Required

A high-quality espresso machine that can pull shots, steam milk, and froth is required to make both lattes and flat whites. You’ll also need a metal milk steaming pitcher to properly aerate the milk and create foamy texture. A tamper for compressing the ground coffee is essential too.

While these key pieces of equipment are necessities for both drinks, flat whites do require some special accessories to master the signature light layer of silky microfoam. A frothing thermometer allows you to monitor the milk temperature as you steam. This isn’t necessary for experience baristas, but given how challenging it can be to get the milk temperature and texture dialed in for flat whites, it’s helpful for beginner baristas.

A milk pour spout or special frothing pitcher with a pointed lip makes it easier to gently pour or spoon the microfoam, too, especially if you’re turning your cup into an artistic creation.. Having these specialty tools helps improve flat white technique.

Winner: Latte (but it’s close to a tie and is a tie once you’re experienced)

Taste

Lattes and flat whites produce very distinct tasting experiences due to their different coffee to milk ratios. Even though the ingredients are the same, the milk texture and ratios make a big difference in terms of flavor.

Lattes contain much more steamed milk compared to a single or double shot of espresso. All that milky sweetness overpowers some of the espresso’s acidic notes and hides some of the nuances of your coffee, resulting in a smooth, subtly caffeinated flavor.

You get just a hint of coffee richness to cut through the dairy. The flavor balance makes lattes an excellent introductory espresso drink for those who find espresso to be too intense. You still get a taste of espresso but with the bitter edge rounded out by all that creamy, velvety steamed milk.

Flat whites allow you to savor much more of the natural flavor nuances of the coffee you use to make espresso thanks to the lower milk to coffee ratio. Tasting notes like honey, caramel, citrus, and chocolate come through more pronounced with just enough milk to soften the acidity.

Those who appreciate the complex taste profiles of high quality coffee beans will enjoy how a flat white showcases subtle flavor variations. The thin layer of silky microfoam adds a lovely light sweetness without overpowering the coffee like a latte does. For espresso aficionados, the flat white is a go-to drink that highlights the aromatic, robust flavors they crave.

Winner: Tie (it’s all about personal preference!)

Texture

Texture also differs noticeably between lattes and flat whites. A latte feels creamy and smooth on the tongue, with a slick, milky mouthfeel. The steamed milk has large, frothy bubbles incorporated throughout. You get only a thin layer of bubbly foam rather than silky microfoam. The low foam factor allows lattes to maintain a homogenous, liquidy texture from start to finish.

Meanwhile, flat whites achieve an ultra-fine, velvety texture thanks to the delicate microfoam layer. While denser than a typical latte, a flat white should not feel heavy or too foamy. Properly made microfoam blends seamlessly into the espresso crema for a luxuriously smooth, satiny finish.

The microfoam brings a subtle airy quality while the espresso oils provide a round, mouth-coating feel. The contrast between the light foam and rich espresso comes together in a uniquely lush, creamy-yet-bright textural experience you can only get in a flat white.

Winner: Tie (again, it’s all about personal taste)

Appearance and Presentation

Visually, lattes and flat whites each make their own aesthetic statement. Lattes are served in large, deep mugs that showcase the light caramel hue and frothy texture. The tall mugs also allow for stunning latte art designs like rosettas and tulips. You have ample canvas space to create intricate patterns on the surface. The striking monochromatic color scheme makes any latte art stand out boldly.

Meanwhile, flat whites traditionally arrive in shorter ceramic cups better suited for appreciating the aroma and taste of the espresso. There’s no large milk canvas for pouring elaborate latte art—just a thin layer of microfoam.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t add a creative touch. A simple fern or heart design looks elegant against the flat white’s contrasting dark espresso crema and white microfoam. The color variation is more subtle but equally artful.

Winner: Latte (only because you have more room for that gorgeous latte art)

Serving Size

When it comes to portion sizes, lattes are rather generous while flat whites keep things petite.

The typical latte ranges from 12 to 20 ounces. It’s easy to linger over a large, milky latte, making it a better option for those who like to sip their coffee slowly.

In contrast, flat whites are classically served in smaller, 3 to 5 ounce cups. The diminutive portions focus your taste buds on the strong espresso flavors. You can certainly order a larger flat white, but they’re usually about a third the size of a latte.

Winner: Latte

Caffeine Content

With their greater concentration of espresso, flat whites pack more caffeine punch than lattes on a per-ounce basis.

In an average single-shot latte (about 8 ounces), you’ll get around 75mg of caffeine. Double up to a 16oz latte made with two shots and you’ll have around 150mg caffeine. All in all, you’re looking at just under 10mg of caffeine per ounce.

Meanwhile, a 2 ounce double shot flat white served in a smaller 5 to 6oz cup provides around 150 to 180mg caffeine. So while the flat white is the smaller beverage, you’ll get more buzz from its higher espresso to milk ratio. Each ounce of a flat white delivers around 30mg of caffeine, triple what you’d get from a latte.

Flat whites offer more intense caffeination by concentrating more the espresso into less liquid volume.

Winner: Flat white

Health Considerations

For those watching their sugar and fat intake, flat whites are a better option than higher-calorie lattes. An 8oz latte prepared with 2% milk contains about 120 calories and 4.5g fat. Bump up to a larger 16oz latte and you’re looking at over 200 calories and 9g of fat.

Keep in mind that calories climb even higher if you add sweeteners. Most of the extra calories come from the additional milk, though.

A 6oz flat white with 2% milk contains around 90 calories and 3g fat. You’ll also consume less sugar since there’s only half the amount of lactose as an 8oz latte.

So while flat whites still contain some calories and fat from the milk, the smaller serving of milk means an overall healthier beverage.

Both drinks can be made healthier and lower-calorie by choosing low-fat, dairy-free, or sugar-free milk options.

Winner: Flat white

Cultural Significance

From a cultural perspective, the latte and flat white symbolize two different eras in coffee’s evolution.

The latte rose to fame in the 1980s and 90s through Starbucks and other specialty cafes introducing espresso drinks to the masses. Lattes represented the first gourmet coffee ritual that captured public imagination. Their accessibility and comforting flavors made lattes a gateway to elevated coffee culture. The latte remains a nostalgic, familiar coffee shop staple today.

Flat whites tell the story of the discerning coffee palate. As third wave coffee blossomed in the 2000s, drinkers developed a new sophistication and wanted to appreciate high quality beans and more coffee-forward flavors.

Flat whites perfectly complemented this artisanal coffee renaissance. Their less milky composition lets unique bean nuances shine. As coffee quality reached new heights, flat whites emerged as a craft coffee statement piece. Their popularity continues growing as coffee education spreads.

Winner: Tie

Popularity

Despite rising flat white fever, lattes still claim the title of the most popular coffeehouse drink. Their familiar and broadly appealing flavor makes lattes a safe bet for everything from first dates to business meetings.

You can find a latte on nearly every mainstream cafe menu. Customizations like flavored syrups and dairy swaps further extend their versatility and mass appeal. Even outside of the pumpkin spice latte frenzy every fall, this cozy classic remains in heavy rotation.

Among coffee connoisseurs, however, flat whites now rival lattes. What flat whites lack in mainstream name recognition they make up for in craft coffee credibility. Walk into any high-end cafe and you’ll often find flat whites promoted as the specialty house drink.

For those who want a “cool” coffee order that shows their refined tastes, flat whites are the obvious choice. As artisan coffee culture flourishes, so does flat white fandom.

Winner: Latte (for now…)

Price

Given their labor intensive preparation, flat whites tend to command a slightly higher price than lattes. The average latte from a coffee shop costs between $3 and $5, while flat whites fall in the $4 to $6 range. But ordering both drinks at your local high-end cafe can set you back upwards of $6 or more depending on size and customizations.

At home, both are budget-friendly with ingredients totaling less than $1 per drink. The only added cost for flat whites is specialty milk frothing equipment, which you don’t technically need. With some practice you can master cafe-quality microfoam without fancy tools. Overall flat whites and lattes both remain accessible and affordable daily pleasures.

Winner: Latte

Which Is Better: A Latte or a Flat White?

So, should you order a latte or flat white next time you visit your favorite cafe? It comes down to personal preference. Here are some things to consider to help you decide between a latte vs. flat white:

Lattes have more steamed milk, so they offer a sweeter, creamier, more milky coffee drink. Lattes satisfy those looking for an everyday treat that don’t want coffee flavor to overpower their beverage.
Lattes are easier to make at home, so if you’re an aspiring at-home barista, I recommend starting with a latte.
Flat whites feature a more pronounced espresso flavor thanks to the higher coffee-to-milk ratio. They highlight the nuanced tasting notes of high quality beans for coffee aficionados who want something beyond milky lattes.
Flat whites take more skill to layer the microfoam perfectly, so they’re better for experienced at-home baristas.

There’s no right or wrong answer: lattes and flat whites simply cater to different tastes. Your own inclinations towards milkiness, sweetness, and coffee strength will determine whether a latte or flat white will suit you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference in calories and sugar between a latte and flat white?

The higher milk content of lattes results in more calories and sugar compared to flat whites. An 8 oz latte prepared with 2% milk has around 120 calories and 13g of sugar from the lactose in milk. A 6 oz flat white with 2% milk contains approximately 90 calories and 9g of sugar. While both drinks do have some natural sugars from the small amount of milk, a flat white minimizes sugar and calories thanks to its smaller serving size and higher concentration of coffee rather than steamed milk. Those limiting calories or sugar intake may prefer a flat white.

Does a latte or flat white have more caffeine?

The flat white packs more caffeine punch per ounce because it has a higher coffee-to-milk ratio and often contains more coffee altogether. A typical 8oz latte made with one shot of espresso contains around 75mg caffeine. But a 6oz flat white made with a double (2oz) shot of espresso provides about 150mg caffeine. Doubling the amount of espresso concentrated in less liquid volume gives flat whites a bolder, more energizing caffeine effect. Latte drinkers can customize their order with extra shots or a larger size to increase caffeine levels. But ounce-for-ounce, flat whites deliver more caffeine.

Which requires more skill to prepare: a latte or flat white?

While both drinks take barista expertise, the delicate pouring and microfoaming required for flat whites makes them the more technically challenging preparation. Lattes simply combine espresso and abundant steamed milk, while flat whites rely on meticulously frothed microfoam. The margin of error is lower when working with less milk. Getting the microfoam silky, smooth, and perfectly incorporated into a flat white takes practice. New baristas often spend time honing their foam and pouring skills specifically for crafting excellent flat whites. So while lattes are relatively straightforward, flat whites demand more artistry and finesse to execute properly.