Coffee comparison
Latte vs Macchiato: What's the Difference?
Latte and macchiato both use espresso and milk, but they approach it from opposite directions. The latte is built around milk. The original macchiato is built around espresso. That one distinction explains almost everything.
Quick answer
Go with the latte if you want a large, smooth, creamy coffee. Pick the macchiato if you want a short, bold espresso with just a touch of milk to soften it slightly.
What is it?
Latte
A latte is a large espresso-based drink made by pouring steamed milk over a double espresso shot and finishing with a thin layer of microfoam. The high milk volume makes it smooth and mild.
What is it?
Macchiato
Macchiato comes in two main forms: the espresso macchiato, which is a single shot with a small amount of foam on top, and the latte macchiato, where steamed milk is poured over espresso. The original is strong and short.
Macchiato guideSide by side
Latte vs Macchiato: key differences
| Dimension | Latte | Macchiato |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 250–350 ml | Espresso macchiato: 40–60 ml / Latte macchiato: 250–300 ml |
| Espresso base | Double shot mixed into steamed milk | Single shot with a small amount of foam on top (espresso macchiato) |
| Milk role | Milk fills the cup and the espresso goes in | Just a spot of milk marks the top of the espresso |
| Strength | Mild, milk dilutes the espresso noticeably | Strong, the espresso macchiato is basically espresso with foam |
| Foam | Thin glossy microfoam layer | A dollop of dense foam (espresso macchiato) |
| Name meaning | Latte is Italian for milk | Macchiato is Italian for stained or marked |
Choose Latte when
You want a creamy, comforting coffee you can sip slowly. Milk matters as much to you as coffee. You're after something gentle and food-friendly.
Choose Macchiato when
You want the boldness of espresso with just a touch of softness. You prefer short drinks. You enjoy a coffee where espresso does the talking.
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