Definition & Basics

What Is a Cappuccino?

A cappuccino is a classic Italian espresso drink built from three roughly equal parts: espresso, steamed milk and a thick layer of milk foam. That famous 1 : 1 : 1 ratio is what gives the cappuccino its bold coffee flavor and its signature airy, cloud-like top.

Compared with a latte, a cappuccino uses less milk and much more foam, so the espresso comes through more strongly and the drink feels lighter in the cup. It is traditionally a smaller drink — around 5–6 oz — and in Italy is considered a morning-only order.

A traditional cappuccino in a ceramic cup with a thick domed layer of foam

What is in a cappuccino?

A traditional cappuccino has three equal layers:

Espresso — usually a single shot (about 68 mg of caffeine) forming the base.
Steamed milk — about one-third of the cup, poured over the espresso.
Milk foam — a thick, airy layer that sits on top and gives the drink its body.

How much caffeine and milk is in a cappuccino?

A standard single-shot cappuccino contains about 68 mg of caffeine — the same as a single-shot latte, because caffeine comes from the espresso, not the milk. Milk makes up roughly one-third of the cup (with another third being foam), which is far less than a latte.

Because it uses less milk, a whole-milk cappuccino is also lighter, at around 120 calories versus about 190 for a latte of similar size.

What does a cappuccino taste like?

A cappuccino tastes strong, rich and less sweet than a latte. The smaller amount of milk means the espresso — including its slight bitterness and roasted intensity — stays front and center, while the thick foam adds a soft, airy texture and a warm, milky finish.

Dry, wet and bone-dry cappuccinos

You can order a cappuccino by how much steamed milk versus foam it has. A wet cappuccino has more steamed milk and less foam (closer to a latte); a dry cappuccino has more foam and less milk (stronger and airier); and a bone-dry cappuccino is almost all espresso and foam with barely any liquid milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a cappuccino coffee?

Yes. A cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink. It is made from espresso, steamed milk and foam, so it contains real coffee and caffeine.

How many espresso shots are in a cappuccino?

A traditional cappuccino uses a single shot of espresso. Many modern cafés, especially for larger sizes, use a double shot, which roughly doubles the caffeine to about 136 mg.

How much caffeine is in a cappuccino?

A single-shot cappuccino has about 68 mg of caffeine. A double-shot version has roughly 136 mg. The milk and foam do not add caffeine.

Is a cappuccino stronger than a latte?

In caffeine, a cappuccino and latte with the same number of shots are equal. In taste, a cappuccino is stronger because it has less milk to dilute the espresso.