Understanding the Proportions
The main difference between a flat white and a latte is the amount of milk used.
A Flat White is typically served in a 5–6 oz (≈150–180 ml) cup. It uses one or two shots of espresso, depending on the café, with less milk than a latte. The milk is steamed into microfoam — very fine milk foam with tiny bubbles — creating a smooth, integrated texture.
A Latte is a larger drink, usually starting at 8 oz (≈240 ml) and often going up to 12 oz or more. Because it uses a much larger volume of milk for the same amount of espresso, the coffee flavor is softened. Lattes also typically have a slightly thicker layer of foam on top compared to the very thin layer found on a flat white.
📌 Good to Know
Some cafés make their flat whites with ristretto (ree-STRET-oh) shots instead of standard espresso. A ristretto is a shorter espresso extraction made with less water, which highlights the sweeter notes of the coffee bean and reduces some of the bitterness of a standard espresso. Not all cafés use ristretto for flat whites — it varies by region and shop.
Texture and Feel
Texture is a defining characteristic of these two drinks.
In a Flat White, the microfoam is thin and fully integrated into the drink. The surface usually looks flat and glossy with no visible bubbles, which is where the name comes from. This creates a smooth, uniform texture from the first sip to the last.
A latte usually comes in a larger cup with more milk and a slightly thicker foam layer. At a glance, cup size is often the clearest difference.
How to Order
Both drinks are common café menu items.
Simple version:
"I'll have a flat white, please."
"I'll have a small latte, please."
For a traditional smaller flat white:
At specialty cafés, a flat white is often served in a 5–6 oz (≈150–180 ml) cup. At larger chains, it may be scaled up. If you want the smaller version, ask whether the café serves flat whites in a small cup.