Flat White vs Latte: What's the Difference?

A flat white is smaller and stronger than a latte. Both are made with espresso and steamed milk, but a flat white has less milk and only a thin layer of silky microfoam, so the coffee comes through more. A latte is bigger, milkier and topped with a deeper layer of foam.

In our survey of the UK's most popular coffees, the flat white and the latte came out as firm favourites, and they're two of the drinks we get asked about most. Here's how they compare.

Flat white vs latte at a glance

• Size: a flat white is usually served in a smaller cup, roughly 150 to 200ml. A latte usually comes in a 240ml cup or bigger. Sizes vary from café to café.
• Milk: a flat white has less milk, steamed to a smooth, velvety microfoam. A latte has more steamed milk and a thicker layer of foam on top.
• Strength: both often use a double shot of espresso, but because a flat white has less milk, it tastes stronger and more of the coffee.
• Texture: a flat white is silky all the way through. A latte is lighter and milkier, with a foamy top that's ideal for latte art.

What is a flat white?

A flat white is an espresso-based coffee, usually a double shot topped with steamed milk that has been stretched into a thin, glossy microfoam. The foam is "flat" rather than piled high, which is where the name comes from.

Nobody is quite sure who made the first one. Australia and New Zealand both claim it, with cafés in Sydney and Auckland making flat whites in the 1980s. It reached UK coffee shops in the mid-2000s and quickly became a high street favourite.

What is a latte?

A caffè latte ("latte" means "milk" in Italian) is a shot or two of espresso topped with plenty of steamed milk and a layer of foam. In Italy, ask for a caffè latte: order a "latte" and you may well get a glass of milk.

A latte is gentle and creamy, which makes it a great starting point if you're new to espresso drinks. It's also the base for flavoured lattes, and works well with non-dairy milks such as oat.

What about a cappuccino and a cortado?

• Cappuccino: about the same size as a flat white, but with a thick, airy layer of foam and often a dusting of chocolate.
• Cortado: smaller still: espresso "cut" with a similar amount of warm milk and very little foam.

How to make a flat white or latte at home

You'll need an espresso machine with a steam wand, or a stovetop moka pot and a milk frother for something close. Start with freshly ground coffee: choose the Espresso grind in your subscription, or whole beans if you have a grinder.

1. Brew a double shot of espresso into a warm cup.
2. Steam cold milk until the jug is too hot to hold comfortably (about 60 to 65°C). For a flat white, add only a little air for a thin, silky foam; for a latte, add a bit more air.
3. Tap and swirl the jug to get rid of big bubbles, then pour.

Chocolatey, nutty coffees from Brazil or Colombia are lovely with milk, while fruitier African coffees make a brighter flat white. Explore more in our coffee guides, or give a coffee lover a coffee gift subscription.