Flat white vs latte: what’s the difference?
A flat white is smaller, stronger, and uses less milk than a latte. The flat white is made with a double ristretto (a short, concentrated espresso pull) and around 100–120ml of silky microfoam. A latte uses a double espresso and around 200–240ml of steamed milk, producing a milder, larger drink with a thinner layer of foam.
Why does this comparison matter?
These are the two most ordered coffee drinks in Britain. They look similar in photographs, they’re both made with espresso and steamed milk, and cafés occasionally blur the lines between them. But drink them side by side and the difference is clear: one tastes like coffee with milk, the other tastes like milk with coffee.
That distinction matters — not because one is better, but because they suit different moods, times of day, and palates.
What is a flat white?
The flat white originated in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s, though both countries continue to argue about which one invented it. It arrived on UK menus in the early 2000s and became mainstream around 2010, helped along by Starbucks putting it on their menu in 2015 (to considerable eye-rolling from Australian and Kiwi expats).
A flat white is made with:
- A double ristretto — a shorter, more concentrated espresso pull that extracts the sweeter, more intense notes of the bean, using less water than a standard espresso
- Approximately 100–120ml of steamed milk, textured into fine microfoam — tiny bubbles that create a smooth, velvety consistency
- Minimal surface foam — the “flat” in flat white refers to the flat, thin layer of foam on top, as opposed to the thick foam of a cappuccino
The result is a drink of around 150–180ml, served in a small ceramic cup. It’s dense, concentrated, and noticeably coffee-forward.
What is a latte?
The latte — short for “caffè latte”, meaning coffee milk in Italian — is espresso diluted generously with steamed milk. In Italian tradition it’s a simple drink made at home; in British café culture it tends to mean a larger, café-style drink served in a tall glass or cup.
A latte is made with:
- A double espresso (standard pull, approximately 60ml)
- Approximately 200–240ml of steamed milk, creating a much higher milk-to-espresso ratio
- A thin layer of foam on top — present but not dominant
The total volume is typically 280–300ml — nearly twice the size of a flat white. The extra milk creates a noticeably softer, creamier, less coffee-intense experience.
Flat white vs latte: the comparison
| Flat white | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | Double ristretto | Double espresso |
| Milk volume | ~100–120ml | ~200–240ml |
| Foam | Very thin microfoam | Thin layer |
| Total volume | ~150–180ml | ~280–300ml |
| Strength | Strong | Mild |
| Origin | Australia / New Zealand | Italy |
| Best for | Coffee-forward drinking | Longer, milkier experience |
The key differences explained
1. Size
This is the most obvious difference. A flat white is a small, concentrated drink. A latte is a large, leisurely one. If you want to finish your coffee quickly and get a strong hit of flavour, the flat white wins. If you want something to sip over a conversation, the latte is your friend.
2. Espresso type
A properly made flat white uses a ristretto — a shorter extraction that produces a sweeter, slightly less bitter espresso. This is why flat whites taste more intense despite using similar amounts of espresso: the ristretto extracts the best parts of the bean with less water, leaving the bitter compounds behind. A latte uses a standard double espresso, which has a slightly more rounded, slightly more bitter character.
3. Milk texture
Both drinks use steamed milk, but the texture differs. A flat white uses microfoam — steamed to a very fine, silky consistency where the bubbles are almost invisible. This creates a dense, velvety mouthfeel. A latte uses more conventionally steamed milk with a slightly lighter, airier texture.
4. Flavour balance
In a flat white, the espresso is the main event. The milk softens and sweetens it, but you’re drinking coffee. In a latte, the milk is far more present — the coffee provides the backbone but the drink is dominated by the smooth, creamy character of the milk. Neither approach is wrong; they just suit different preferences.
Which should you order?
Order a flat white if:
– You want to taste the coffee clearly
– You prefer a smaller, shorter drink
– You’re having your second or third coffee and don’t want to overload on milk
– You’re having it mid-morning and want something focused
Order a latte if:
– You prefer a milder, creamier coffee experience
– You want a larger drink to savour
– You’re new to coffee or find espresso overwhelming
– You want something to pair with food — the latte’s gentleness makes it a better food companion
How much caffeine in a flat white vs a latte?
Here’s a surprising fact: they contain almost the same amount. Both are made with a double shot (roughly 126mg of caffeine in the espresso), and milk contains no caffeine. So a flat white and a latte have approximately the same caffeine content — around 126–150mg per drink.
The flat white feels stronger because you’re drinking less liquid, so the caffeine arrives more concentrated in fewer sips. But over the course of the drink, you’re consuming similar amounts. We cover this in detail in our caffeine in flat white guide.
Oat milk in a flat white vs latte
At Framberry, oat milk is our standard milk option — and both drinks work beautifully with it.
In a flat white, oat milk steams to a particularly fine microfoam, producing a smooth, slightly sweet result that complements the ristretto well. In a latte, oat milk’s natural sweetness becomes more prominent, softening the coffee and producing a gentle, creamy drink.
If you’re used to dairy, oat milk in both drinks is a very small adjustment. Most people prefer it within a week.
Framberry’s flat white and latte
Our flat white is made with a double ristretto from our roaster and textured oat milk as standard. Our latte is the same bean, double espresso, larger cup. Both are on our coffee menu.
We’re opening in London in 2027. Join the list to hear when we open.
Frequently asked questions
Is a flat white stronger than a latte?
Yes — a flat white tastes noticeably stronger because it has less milk relative to the same amount of espresso. The caffeine content is similar, but the flavour is more concentrated.
Why is a flat white more expensive than a latte?
Often it’s not — but when it is, it’s usually because a true flat white uses a double ristretto, which requires more care to pull correctly than a standard double espresso. Some cafés also charge more for smaller, craftier drinks.
Can you make a flat white with oat milk?
Yes, and it works very well. Oat milk steams beautifully into fine microfoam, which is exactly what a flat white needs.
What’s the difference between a flat white and a cappuccino?
The main difference is foam. A cappuccino has substantially more foam — traditionally equal thirds of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. See our cappuccino vs latte vs flat white guide.
Does a flat white have more caffeine than a latte?
Not meaningfully. Both are typically made with a double shot, so both contain around 126–150mg of caffeine. The flat white feels stronger because it’s smaller, not because it has more caffeine.
Framberry opens in London in 2027 — where both the flat white and the latte are made with ethically sourced beans and oat milk as standard. Join the list.