The difference between a cortado and a latte is milk: a cortado is a small drink of espresso cut with an equal amount of warm milk, while a latte is espresso drowned in a much larger volume of steamed milk. A cortado is small (about 4 oz) and strong; a latte is large (10 to 16 oz) and mild.
Both start with the same espresso, so the difference is entirely about how much milk you add and how it is textured. The cortado keeps the coffee front and centre; the latte softens it into something creamy and mellow. Here is the full breakdown of taste, size, caffeine, and which one to order.
Making either at home? Both live or die on the espresso underneath. See our picks for the best espresso beans and the best milk frothers, or grab a versatile all-rounder like Lavazza Super Crema.
Cortado vs Latte: At a Glance
| Feature | Cortado | Latte |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ~4 oz (small) | 10-16 oz (large) |
| Espresso | 1-2 shots | 1-2 shots |
| Milk | Equal to espresso | 3-5x the espresso |
| Foam | Little to none | Thin microfoam layer |
| Strength | Strong, coffee-forward | Mild, milky |
| Caffeine | Same as latte (per shot) | Same as cortado (per shot) |
What Is a Cortado?
A cortado is one or two shots of espresso “cut” with an equal amount of lightly steamed milk. The name comes from the Spanish cortar, to cut, because the milk cuts the acidity and intensity of the espresso without burying it. It is served small, usually around 4 oz, in a glass, with little or no foam. The result is a smooth but still strong, coffee-forward drink.
What Is a Latte?
A latte is one or two shots of espresso topped with a large amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. At 10 to 16 oz, it is mostly milk, which makes it the mildest and creamiest of the espresso-and-milk drinks. It is the go-to for anyone who finds straight espresso too intense, and the big milk volume makes it the natural canvas for latte art and flavoured syrups.
How They Are Made: It Is All About the Milk Ratio
The build is the difference. A cortado is roughly 1:1 espresso to milk. A latte is closer to 1:4 or 1:5. Both use steamed milk, but the cortado uses just a splash with barely any foam, while the latte uses a tall pour with a thin foam cap. Master the milk and you can make either, our guide to frothing and steaming milk covers the technique.
Taste and Strength
A cortado tastes like espresso with the edges smoothed off, you still get the coffee’s body, acidity, and roast character, just softened. A latte tastes mild and milky, with the espresso reading as a background note. If you love the flavour of good coffee but want it a touch gentler, the cortado wins. If you want a comforting, creamy drink, the latte does.
Size and Milk Content
| Cortado | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size | 4 oz | 12 oz |
| Milk volume | ~2 oz | ~9 oz |
| Calories (whole milk) | ~40 | ~180 |
| Best vessel | Glass | Large cup |
Caffeine: Nearly Identical
Because caffeine comes from the espresso, not the milk, a cortado and a latte made with the same number of shots have the same caffeine, about 63 mg for a single and 125 mg for a double. The cortado just tastes stronger because the coffee is less diluted. For the full breakdown, see how much caffeine is in a shot of espresso.
How They Relate to Other Espresso Drinks
The cortado and latte sit at opposite ends of the milk scale. In between are the cappuccino (equal espresso, milk, and thick foam) and the flat white (espresso with silky microfoam). If you are comparing the smaller drinks, our flat white vs latte and cappuccino vs latte guides round out the picture.
Which Should You Order?
- Order a cortado if you want to taste the coffee, prefer a small strong drink, or find lattes too milky.
- Order a latte if you want a large, mild, creamy drink, or you take syrups and like latte art.
Can You Make Both at Home?
Yes. Both need espresso and steamed milk, just in different amounts. Pull your shots (see how to make espresso at home), then for a cortado add an equal splash of warm milk; for a latte fill the cup with steamed milk and a thin foam cap. No espresso machine? A strong moka-pot brew stands in well.
The Bottom Line
A cortado is small, strong, and coffee-forward; a latte is large, mild, and milky. They use the same espresso, the only real difference is how much milk you add. Reach for a cortado when you want the coffee to shine and a latte when you want comfort in a cup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cortado vs Latte
A cortado is a small (~4 oz) drink of espresso with an equal amount of warm milk and little foam. A latte is a large (10-16 oz) drink of espresso with lots of steamed milk and a thin foam layer. The cortado is stronger and coffee-forward; the latte is mild and creamy.
In taste, yes. A cortado uses far less milk, so the espresso is less diluted and reads stronger. In caffeine they are the same when made with the same number of shots, because caffeine comes from the espresso, not the milk.
A cortado is about 4 oz, served in a small glass. A latte is typically 12 oz (and can be 16 oz), served in a large cup. The latte is roughly three times the size.
Very little. A cortado uses lightly steamed milk with minimal foam, which is part of what keeps it small and coffee-forward. A latte has a thin foam layer on top of much more milk.
Yes. Brew a strong, concentrated coffee with a moka pot or AeroPress, then add an equal splash of warm, lightly frothed milk. It will not be identical to a cafe cortado but it is close.
Explore more in our coffee drinks hub.
Hey there! I’m Austin and I love coffee. In fact, I drink about 5 americanos a day. I started BrewingCoffees because I wanted to share my love of coffee with the world. Before starting BrewingCoffees, I worked as a Barista for 7 years.
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