A latte is one double shot of espresso, about 18 g of ground coffee (3.6 level tablespoons, a little under 2 scoops) pulled to about 36 g of espresso, topped with 6 to 8 fl oz of steamed milk. That is about 1 part espresso to 3 or 4 parts milk. These are common café amounts, not a standard, and shops vary. Espresso itself runs at 1:2, which is the ratio math behind how much coffee per cup applied to a small, concentrated shot.
What are the ratios for a latte, cappuccino, flat white and cortado?
All four start from the same double shot, about 2 fl oz. What changes is the milk. The sizes below are as commonly made.
| Drink | Espresso | Milk | Foam | Total | Espresso to milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortado | 2 oz | 2 oz, warm | thin | about 4 oz | 1:1 |
| Flat white | 2 oz | about 4 oz | thin | about 6 oz | 1:2 |
| Cappuccino | 2 oz | about 2 oz | about 2 oz, thick | about 6 oz | 1:1 plus foam |
| Latte | 2 oz | 6 to 8 oz | thin | 8 to 10 oz | 1:3 to 1:4 |
The classic cappuccino is split roughly in thirds: espresso, milk and foam. A latte is mostly milk, which is why it tastes milder.
How much coffee do you put in the basket?
The default for a double is 18 g in and 36 g out, a 1:2 ratio, in roughly 25 to 30 seconds. Our No. 3 Position label suggests espresso at 1:2 in 28 seconds, which sits right in that range. If you are building the shot first, the details are on how many grams of coffee for a shot of espresso.
| Shot | Coffee in | Level tablespoons | Espresso out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 9 g | 1.8 | 18 g |
| Double | 18 g | 3.6 | 36 g |
A tablespoon is only a rough guide here, since espresso is fine and packs differently. Use a scale if you have one.
What if you do not have an espresso machine?
A moka pot makes a strong, concentrated coffee that works in a latte. The amounts are on how much coffee for a moka pot. Mix it with warm steamed or frothed milk using the same table, though the strength will differ from espresso.
How do you scale a latte up?
Add milk, not shots. A 12 oz latte is still a double shot with about 10 oz of milk. If you want a bigger drink to taste as strong as the 8 oz version, use three shots, about 27 g of coffee in and 54 g out, and keep the espresso to milk ratio near 1:3 or 1:4. Otherwise the coffee gets diluted as the milk goes up, and the drink gets milder at larger sizes.
Steamed milk is commonly heated to roughly 140 to 150 °F (60 to 65 °C). Hotter than that and it starts to taste cooked rather than sweet.
Which coffee holds up under milk?
Milk dulls bright, delicate flavors, so pick something that stays visible. From our labels, two do that.
No. 3 Position, from Aceh, Takengon in Indonesia, is wet-hulled and tastes of dark chocolate, dried fruit and earthy notes. The roaster recommends it for espresso, moka and anything you put milk in, and says it holds its shape under milk and under ice. See what No. 3 Position tastes like.
Our pick
No. 3 Position
Aceh, Takengon, Indonesia · 1,100 to 1,600 m · Wet-hulled (giling basah) · Tim Tim, Typica, Ateng, Onan Ganjang, Jember
Dark chocolate, dried fruit and earthy on the label, and the roaster says it holds its shape under milk.
No. 1 Common Sense is a gentler choice. It is cocoa, red apple and brown sugar at medium roast, and the roaster says it takes milk without falling apart. It is meant for drip or French press, so it suits a milk coffee made from a strong brew more than from a shot.
Our pick
No. 1 Common Sense
Huila and Medellin-Antioquia, Colombia · 1,300 to 1,500 m · Fully washed, solar dried · Castillo, Caturra, Colombia, Typica · Medium
Cocoa, red apple and brown sugar on the label, and it takes milk without falling apart.
Both are $28 for 12 oz with free US shipping, whole bean or ground. The subscription is 11% off, with skip or cancel in one click. You can see all ten coffees in one place.
Questions people ask
How many shots of espresso in a latte?
Most cafes use a double, which is two shots, about 2 oz of espresso. A small latte may use a single.
How much milk in a latte?
About 6 to 8 oz of steamed milk for a double shot, plus a thin layer of foam. A larger drink usually adds milk, not shots.
What is the ratio of a latte vs a flat white?
A flat white is a double shot with about 4 oz of milk, so it is stronger and smaller. A latte uses 6 to 8 oz of milk with the same shot.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
One page with grams, level tablespoons and scoops for every cup size and for coffee makers from 2 to 14 cups. Leave your email and the download link appears right here.