A macchiato is mostly espresso; a cappuccino is a balance of espresso, milk, and foam. A traditional macchiato is a shot of espresso “stained” with just a dollop of foamed milk — small, strong, and bold. A cappuccino is a bigger, milkier drink built from roughly equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Same espresso base, very different cup.
The confusion is real, partly because Starbucks’ “macchiatos” are nothing like the classic version. This guide clears it up — what each drink actually is, how they’re made, how they taste, and which to order. (For the espresso end of the family, see americano vs macchiato.)
Macchiato vs cappuccino: at a glance
Both start with espresso. The amount of milk and foam is what sets them apart.
| Macchiato | Cappuccino | |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1–2 shots | 1–2 shots |
| Milk | A small dollop of foam | Equal steamed milk & foam |
| Size | ~1–2 oz | ~5–6 oz |
| Milk-to-espresso | Tiny | Roughly 2:1 |
| Foam | Just a spoonful | Thick, airy cap |
| Taste | Bold, espresso-forward | Balanced, creamy, mellow |
| Calories | ~13 kcal | ~120 kcal |
| Best for | An espresso with a softer edge | A creamy, foamy coffee |
What is a macchiato?
“Macchiato” means “stained” or “marked” in Italian. A traditional caffè macchiato (or espresso macchiato) is a shot of espresso marked with just a small dollop of foamed milk — enough to take the sharp edge off without turning it into a milk drink. It’s tiny, intense, and meant to be drunk quickly.
This is a world away from the milk-heavy “macchiatos” on big chain menus — more on that below. If you want the espresso-forward experience with a touch more body, it sits near a cortado.
What is a cappuccino?
A cappuccino is the classic foamy espresso drink: one or two shots of espresso with roughly equal parts steamed milk and milk foam, traditionally in thirds. At ~5–6 oz it’s bigger and milkier than a macchiato but smaller and foamier than a latte, with a thick, airy cap of foam on top.
It’s the middle ground of milk drinks — creamier than a macchiato, foamier than a latte, and lighter than a flat white.
How they’re made: a stain vs a balance
Both pull the same espresso; the milk step is where they diverge:
- Macchiato: pull a shot of espresso, then spoon a small dollop of foamed milk on top. That’s it — the milk “marks” the espresso.
- Cappuccino: pull 1–2 shots, steam milk to a wet, airy foam, then pour to roughly equal parts espresso, milk, and foam.
The cappuccino needs properly textured milk; the macchiato barely needs any. If steaming foam is the part you struggle with, our guide to frothing and steaming milk is worth a read.
Size and milk ratio
This is the heart of the difference. A macchiato is essentially an espresso with a whisper of milk — 1–2 oz total. A cappuccino is two to three times the size, with enough steamed milk and foam to mellow the espresso into something creamy. If you ordered a macchiato expecting a big milky drink, the tiny cup is a surprise; that gap is exactly why the chain versions cause confusion.
Taste
A macchiato tastes like espresso — bold, concentrated, slightly softened by the dot of foam. A cappuccino tastes balanced and creamy, the foam smoothing the coffee into a gentler, rounder cup. Order a macchiato when you want the espresso to lead; order a cappuccino when you want milk and coffee in harmony.
Caffeine and calories
Caffeine depends on the shots, not the milk, so a one-shot macchiato and a one-shot cappuccino have about the same caffeine (~63 mg). But the macchiato is far lighter on calories — around 13 kcal versus ~120 for a 6 oz cappuccino with whole milk — because it has almost no milk.
| Per drink | Macchiato (1 shot) | Cappuccino (6 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | ~63 mg | ~63 mg |
| Calories | ~13 kcal | ~120 kcal |
| Milk | Dollop of foam | ~4 oz steamed + foam |
The Starbucks macchiato confusion
Here’s the catch: a Starbucks “latte macchiato” or “caramel macchiato” is not a traditional macchiato. Those are milk-forward drinks — essentially a latte with the espresso added last so it “marks” the milk — which is the reverse of a classic espresso macchiato. If you order a “macchiato” at a third-wave café you’ll get the tiny espresso version; at Starbucks you’ll get a large milky one. We break the chain version down in our caramel macchiato guide and latte macchiato vs macchiato.
How they relate to other espresso drinks
Both are points on the same espresso-and-milk spectrum, from least milk to most:
| Drink | Milk | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | None | Pure, intense |
| Macchiato | Dollop of foam | Espresso with a softer edge |
| Cortado | Equal warm milk | Smooth, balanced, small |
| Cappuccino | Equal milk & foam | Foamy, creamy, balanced |
| Latte | Lots of steamed milk | Mild, milky |
Which should you order?
- Order a macchiato when you want an espresso with just a touch of milk — small, strong, and quick.
- Order a cappuccino when you want a creamy, foamy coffee with milk and espresso in balance.
- At a chain, remember their “macchiato” is a big milky drink — ask for an “espresso macchiato” if you want the traditional one.
Making them at home? A cappuccino lives or dies on its foam — see the best milk frothers and our guide to steaming and frothing milk. Both drinks start with a good shot, so the right espresso beans matter most of all.
The bottom line
A macchiato is espresso with a dot of foam — tiny, bold, espresso-first. A cappuccino is a balanced ~6 oz drink of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Same caffeine per shot, but the cappuccino is bigger, creamier, and milkier. And whatever the chain menu says, a real macchiato is mostly espresso.
Frequently Asked Questions About Macchiato vs Cappuccino
A traditional macchiato is a shot of espresso with just a small dollop of foamed milk — about 1–2 oz, strong and espresso-forward. A cappuccino is a larger ~5–6 oz drink made from roughly equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. The macchiato is mostly espresso; the cappuccino is a balanced milk drink.
In flavour, yes — a macchiato is mostly espresso with very little milk, so it tastes much bolder. In caffeine they’re similar for the same number of shots (~63 mg per shot); the macchiato just packs that into a far smaller, less diluted cup.
No. A Starbucks caramel or latte macchiato is a milk-forward drink — essentially a latte with the espresso added last. A traditional espresso macchiato is the opposite: mostly espresso with a dot of foam. Ask for an “espresso macchiato” if you want the classic version.
A cappuccino. A traditional macchiato has almost no milk, so it’s around 13 calories; a 6 oz cappuccino with whole milk is about 120. The difference is entirely the milk.
Yes, but only a small dollop — just enough to “mark” or stain the espresso, which is what the name means. A cappuccino has a thick, airy cap of foam by comparison.
Not quite — it’s a different balance. A cappuccino adds a substantial amount of steamed milk plus a thick foam layer, making it creamy and balanced, whereas a macchiato keeps the milk to a single dollop so the espresso stays dominant.
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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