Three-Way Comparison

Americano vs Latte vs Cappuccino

The americano is the odd one out here — it is the only black coffee of the three. It is made by adding hot water to espresso, producing a longer, lighter drink similar in strength to filter coffee but with espresso character. There is no milk unless you add it yourself.

So the real split is milk vs no milk: the americano keeps things black and nearly calorie-free, while the latte and cappuccino build creamy, milk-based drinks on the same espresso base.

A black americano beside a latte and a cappuccino

Black coffee vs milk coffee

Feature	Americano	Cappuccino	Latte
Milk	None (optional)	Moderate + foam	Lots
Made with	Espresso + hot water	Espresso + milk + foam	Espresso + milk
Calories (black)	~5 kcal	~120 kcal	~190 kcal
Caffeine	~136 mg (double)	~68 mg	~68 mg
Taste	Black, clean, bold	Strong, creamy	Mild, milky

How to choose

Pick an americano if you want black coffee with almost no calories and a longer drink to sip. Pick a cappuccino or latte if you want milk — a cappuccino for more coffee flavor and foam, a latte for a milder, creamier cup. Note that americanos are often made with a double shot, so they can carry more caffeine than a single-shot latte or cappuccino.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an americano stronger than a latte?

In taste, an americano is more bitter and coffee-forward because it has no milk. In caffeine, a double-shot americano (~136 mg) has more than a single-shot latte (~68 mg).

Does an americano have milk?

No. An americano is espresso and hot water only. You can add milk yourself, but by default it is a black coffee.