Comparison · Espresso machines
Latte vs cappuccino vs flat white
All three start with espresso and steamed milk. The difference is how much milk and how much foam. Here's how they compare and how to make each one at home.
Latte vs cappuccino vs flat white: they look alike, they’re made from the same two ingredients, and café menus don’t always explain the difference. In short, all three are espresso plus steamed milk. What changes is how much milk goes in and how deep the foam is on top. This guide sets them side by side, explains how to make each at home, and covers the kit that helps. We haven’t tested this in person. It’s based on Sage UK’s published barista recipes, checked on 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Latte vs cappuccino vs flat white: the short answer
Choose a flat white if you want to taste the coffee. Sage UK describes it as similar to a latte but with less milk, so the coffee flavour is more concentrated, and with the thinnest layer of foam.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who finds espresso too strong, as there’s less milk to soften it.
Choose a latte if you like a mild, milky coffee. Sage UK says a latte has more foam than a flat white but less than a cappuccino.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a strong coffee taste, as the milk dominates.
Choose a cappuccino if you love the foam. It has the deepest layer of the three, and Sage’s recipe adds a dusting of chocolate powder.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a smooth, silky drink all the way through, as much of the top is airy foam.
How the three drinks compare
Think of each drink as three layers in the cup: espresso at the bottom, steamed milk in the middle and microfoam on top.
| Layer | Flat white | Latte | Cappuccino |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Same base | Same base | Same base |
| Steamed milk | Less than a latte | Plenty | Under a deep foam layer |
| Foam on top | About 5mm | About 1.25cm | Deepest |
The foam depths come from Sage’s own recipes: around a quarter of an inch (5mm) for a flat white and around half an inch for a latte (Sage UK flat white recipe; Sage UK latte recipe). Sage doesn’t give a depth for the cappuccino, only that it has more foam than a latte (Sage UK cappuccino recipe).
Cup sizes vary a lot between cafés and chains, so the strength you’re served can differ even for the same drink name. At home, you choose.
What is a flat white?
Sage UK says the flat white was created in either Australia or New Zealand, and describes it as one of the most popular coffee styles worldwide. It’s essentially a smaller, stronger relative of the latte: the same espresso base, less milk, and a thin, glossy layer of microfoam so the top is “flat”.
Because there’s so little foam, the milk texture matters most. It should be silky, with very fine bubbles, rather than stiff froth.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a long, milky drink, since Sage describes it as having less milk than a latte.
What is a latte?
Sage UK describes a latte as steamed milk poured over a shot of espresso, with a thin layer of microfoam to finish. It’s the milkiest of the three and the most forgiving to make at home, because a little extra foam doesn’t spoil it.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants the coffee to stand out; it has more milk than a flat white.
What is a cappuccino?
Sage UK says the one constant of the cappuccino is its layer of microfoam, and that the balance of espresso and textured milk gives it a mouthfeel other drinks don’t have. Its recipe dusts chocolate powder into the espresso before the milk goes in, and again on top if you like.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who dislikes foam, which makes up a big part of the drink.
How to make each one at home
All three start the same way. Sage’s recipes use a double shot of about 19g of ground coffee (the flat white recipe doesn’t give a dose) and steamed milk at around 60 to 65°C, or no more than about 55°C for non-dairy milk.
Flat white: fill the jug with cold milk up to the bottom of the spout. Add only a little air when steaming, as Sage says a flat white should have a thinner layer of microfoam than a latte or cappuccino. Swirl and tap the jug, then pour slowly so the foam ends up about 5mm deep.
Latte: fill the jug to the bottom of the spout. Add air for a few seconds, then swirl. Pour from high to blend the milk into the espresso, then bring the jug closer to finish, aiming for about half an inch of foam.
Cappuccino: Sage suggests starting with cold milk filling about a third of the jug for a single cup. Add more air than for a latte, swirl to spread the foam evenly, and pour slowly into the espresso. Dust with chocolate if you like.
For a full walk-through, including pod, moka pot and instant methods, see our guide on how to make a latte at home.
Machines and kit that suit each drink
- A machine with a steam wand can make all three, and it’s the best way to get the silky microfoam a flat white needs. Our espresso machines guide compares models, and our Sage Bambino review and De’Longhi Dedica EC685 review cover two popular compact machines.
- An electric milk frother suits lattes and cappuccinos well, especially with a pod machine. Our guide to the best milk frother compares jug and handheld options.
- Plant milk drinkers should look at barista editions. Our guide to the best oat milk for coffee compares them on price and pack steaming advice.
Who it isn’t for: if you only drink black coffee, none of this kit is worth buying.
Downsides and things to know
- Recipes vary. Cafés and chains make these drinks in their own way and in their own cup sizes, so the same name can mean a different drink.
- Foam depth takes practice. Hitting 5mm for a flat white is harder than it sounds on a home steam wand.
- Sage’s recipes are a guide. They’re written for Sage machines, but the milk advice applies to any steam wand.
FAQ
Which is strongest: latte, cappuccino or flat white? Usually the flat white, because Sage UK describes it as having less milk than a latte, so the coffee flavour is more concentrated.
Is a flat white just a small latte? They’re close. Sage describes a flat white as similar to a latte but with less milk and a thinner layer of microfoam.
What’s the difference between a latte and a cappuccino? The foam. Sage says a cappuccino has more foam than a latte, and its cappuccino recipe adds chocolate powder.
Can you make a flat white with a milk frother? Sage’s flat white recipe is written for a steam wand. A frother can heat and foam milk too; just aim for a thin layer of foam.