Espresso itself has almost no calories — 1–5 per shot. The calories in espresso drinks come almost entirely from milk and sweeteners. A 12oz latte made with whole milk has about 200 calories. The same drink made with oat milk has 190 calories. Made with skim milk: 130 calories. The drink is the same; the milk makes all the difference.
Quick Reference: Calories by Drink
The table below covers standard 12oz (medium/tall) drinks made with 2% milk, no added sweetener. Adjust up or down based on the columns that follow.
| Drink | Calories (12oz, 2% milk) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso (single) | 5 | No milk, 1oz |
| Americano | 15 | Espresso + hot water, no milk |
| Cappuccino | 80 | Equal parts espresso, foam, steam |
| Flat white | 130 | More milk than cappuccino, less foam |
| Latte | 180 | Most milk of the espresso drinks |
| Macchiato (traditional) | 15 | Espresso + 1–2 tbsp foam only |
| Cortado | 60 | 1:1 espresso to steamed milk, ~4oz |
| Cold brew | 15 | Black cold brew, 12oz |
| Iced latte (12oz) | 170 | Slightly less milk than hot latte |
Latte Calories
A 12oz latte contains approximately:
- Whole milk: 220 calories
- 2% milk: 180 calories
- Oat milk: 190 calories (varies by brand — Oatly Barista is 130cal/8oz)
- Almond milk: 75 calories (unsweetened, barista blend)
- Skim milk: 130 calories
The calorie split in a latte: roughly 80–90% from milk, 5–10 calories from the espresso shot, and zero from plain steamed milk foam.
Starbucks latte calories (caffè latte):
- Tall (12oz, 2% milk): 150 calories
- Grande (16oz, 2% milk): 190 calories
- Venti (20oz, 2% milk): 250 calories
- Grande with whole milk: 230 calories
- Grande with oat milk: 240 calories
Why lattes are calorie-dense
A 16oz latte contains roughly 12–14oz of steamed milk. Whole milk has ~150 calories per cup (8oz), so a large latte with whole milk approaches 200–250 calories before any syrup. Adding one pump of vanilla syrup (Starbucks standard = 4 pumps for a Grande, ~20cal/pump) adds 80 calories. A vanilla latte at 400 calories isn’t unusual.
Espresso Calories
| Shot Type | Volume | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Single espresso | 1oz (30ml) | 5 cal |
| Double espresso | 2oz (60ml) | 10 cal |
| Ristretto | 0.5–0.75oz (15–20ml) | 3 cal |
| Lungo | 2–2.5oz (60–75ml) | 12 cal |
Espresso has negligible caloric value on its own. The calories come from the trace oils and dissolved solids in the shot — not from protein, carbs, or fat in any meaningful amount. If you’re tracking macros, espresso rounds to 0.
Cappuccino Calories
A standard cappuccino is one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, one-third foam. Because foam is mostly air and has much lower caloric density than liquid milk, cappuccinos are one of the lower-calorie milk espresso drinks.
| Cappuccino Size | 2% Milk | Whole Milk | Skim Milk | Oat Milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6oz (standard) | 60 cal | 75 cal | 45 cal | 65 cal |
| 8oz | 80 cal | 100 cal | 60 cal | 85 cal |
| 12oz | 120 cal | 150 cal | 90 cal | 130 cal |
Starbucks Cappuccino (Grande, 16oz, 2% milk): 140 calories
Americano Calories
An americano — espresso diluted with hot water — has almost zero calories. One or two shots plus 8–10oz of water = 10–15 calories total. Adding milk transforms it:
- Black americano (12oz): ~10 calories
- Americano with splash of 2% milk: ~25 calories
- Americano with 2oz whole milk: ~50 calories
The americano is the lowest-calorie option for people who want a large, hot coffee drink.
How Milk Type Changes Calorie Count
This is the biggest lever for calorie control in espresso drinks.
| Milk Type | Calories per 8oz | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whole milk | 149 cal | Richest, most foam-stable |
| 2% milk | 122 cal | Standard default at most cafés |
| 1% milk | 102 cal | Good balance |
| Skim milk | 83 cal | Lowest dairy option, less body |
| Oat milk (barista) | 120–160 cal | Varies widely by brand |
| Almond milk (unsweetened) | 30–45 cal | Lowest overall, thinner body |
| Soy milk | 80–100 cal | Closest to 2% in foam behavior |
| Coconut milk (barista) | 100–130 cal | Rich, slightly sweet |
Oat milk vs whole milk in lattes
Oat milk and whole milk have similar calories per 8oz (120–150 vs. 149). If you’re choosing oat milk to reduce calories, the savings are minimal. The advantage of oat milk is different: it’s the best non-dairy option for microfoam texture, not calorie reduction. If calorie reduction is the goal, almond milk saves 100+ calories in a large latte.
Flavored Syrups Add Up Fast
| Syrup | Calories per pump | Starbucks standard pumps |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | ~20 cal | 3 pumps (tall), 4 (grande), 5 (venti) |
| Caramel | ~20 cal | Same as vanilla |
| Hazelnut | ~20 cal | Same |
| Mocha sauce | ~25 cal | 2 (tall), 3 (grande), 4 (venti) |
| Sugar-free syrups | 0–5 cal | Available for most flavors |
A Grande vanilla latte at Starbucks has 250 calories — with 80 calories just from the 4 pumps of vanilla syrup. Sugar-free vanilla drops it by ~75 calories.
Low-Calorie Espresso Drink Options
If you’re reducing calories without giving up espresso drinks:
- Americano with a splash of milk — ~25 calories, full coffee flavor
- Cappuccino with skim or almond milk — 45–75 calories
- Cortado — small milk volume (~4oz total) means ~40–60 calories
- Flat white with almond milk — ~50 calories vs. ~170 for a full latte
- Iced espresso — espresso over ice, light splash of milk, no syrup
- Cold brew, black — 15 calories for 12oz, naturally less acidic than hot brew
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a latte? A 12oz latte made with 2% milk has approximately 180 calories. A 16oz Grande latte at Starbucks has 190 calories (2% milk). With whole milk, add 30–40 calories. With almond milk, drop to 100–120 calories. The espresso contributes only 5–10 calories; the rest is milk.
How many calories are in an espresso shot? A single espresso shot (1oz) has approximately 5 calories. A double shot has 10 calories. These are almost entirely from the oils and dissolved solids in the coffee — there is no meaningful protein, fat, or carbohydrate. For calorie tracking, espresso rounds to zero.
Does a cappuccino have fewer calories than a latte? Yes. A standard cappuccino uses equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam — so the milk volume is roughly half that of a latte of the same size. A 12oz cappuccino has about 80–120 calories (2% milk) vs. 160–200 for a 12oz latte. Foam adds almost no calories since it’s mostly air.
Is oat milk lower in calories than regular milk? Not significantly. Barista oat milk runs 120–160 calories per 8oz cup — close to 2% milk (122 cal) or whole milk (149 cal). If calorie reduction is the goal, choose almond milk (30–45 cal per 8oz) or skim milk (83 cal). Oat milk’s main advantage is foam quality and flavor, not calories.
How many calories in a Starbucks iced latte? A Starbucks Grande Iced Caffè Latte (16oz, 2% milk): 130 calories. Hot version of the same size: 190 calories. The iced version is lower because less milk fits in the cup (ice takes up volume). With whole milk: ~160 calories. With oat milk: ~200 calories.
Related guides: What Is a Latte? | Espresso Caffeine Guide | Cappuccino vs Latte | Types of Espresso Drinks