An Americano is lower in calories than a latte, and it is not close. A standard Americano has about 5 to 15 calories because it is just espresso and hot water.
A standard 16 oz latte made with 2% milk has about 190 calories. According to Starbucks nutrition information, a Grande (16 fl oz) Caffè Latte with 2% milk contains 190 calories, while a Grande Caffè Americano contains just 15 calories.
The same company’s menu data shows the reason clearly: whole milk and skim milk change the latte’s total, but nothing closes the gap to a drink that is mostly water. If your goal is fewer calories, the Americano wins every time unless you load it with syrup or cream.
Calorie Comparison: Latte vs. Americano by Serving Size
Use the table below to compare calories across common milk choices at a standard 16 oz medium size. The Americano row uses black coffee with no add-ins, which is the default way it is served.
| Beverage (16 oz) | Typical Calories | Fat | Carbs / Sugars | Protein |
| Americano (black) | 10–15 kcal | 0 g | 3 g (Starbucks listed value) | 1 g |
| Latte, whole milk | 220–250 kcal | 11–12 g | 18–19 g | 12 g |
| Latte, 2% milk | 180–190 kcal (Starbucks: 190) | 7 g | 18 g | 12 g |
| Latte, skim milk | 130–140 kcal | 0–1 g | 18–19 g | 13 g |
| Latte, unsweetened almond milk | 70–100 kcal | 5–7 g | 3–5 g | 2–3 g |
| Latte, oat milk | 170–210 kcal | 7–9 g | 20–25 g | 3–4 g |
These figures combine official Starbucks menu data for the standard preparations with typical ranges found across major coffee chains. Independent shops pour similar volumes, so results land in the same ballpark.
Why the Difference Exists: Milk Drives Latte Calories
A latte consists of espresso plus a large volume of steamed milk, usually 12 to 14 oz of it in a 16 oz cup. An Americano consists of espresso diluted with hot water, so nearly all of its liquid adds zero calories.
According to USDA FoodData Central, whole milk contains about 61 calories per 100 g, along with natural sugars (lactose), fat, and protein. Espresso itself contains only about 9 calories per 100 g, per the same USDA database, and a shot weighs about 1 oz.
That means milk contributes almost the entire calorie load of a latte. The NHS makes the same point in its guidance on coffee calories: plain black coffee drinks are low calorie, and it is the added milk and sugar that push counts up.
This is why even a nonfat latte still lands around 130 to 140 calories at a medium size. No realistic amount of milk trimming gets a latte down to Americano territory.
How Add-Ins Change the Answer
Sweeteners can flip the comparison if you are not careful. Flavored syrup adds roughly 20 calories per standard pump, and four pumps in a 16 oz drink add about 80 calories.
A sweetened latte with syrup and whole milk can pass 300 calories. An Americano with a splash of half-and-half (1 to 2 tbsp) only picks up about 20 to 40 calories and stays far below any standard latte.
Ordering an Americano “for here” or asking for milk on the side gives you portion control over the add-in. This small habit keeps the drink in the low-calorie range while still softening the bitter edge.
If you prefer milky texture but hate the calories, one practice worth copying is ordering an Americano or cappuccino instead of a latte, since a cappuccino uses less milk by volume. If temperature matters more than milk, you can also compare latte calories against iced coffee before ordering.
Practical Recommendation for Calorie-Conscious Coffee Drinkers
Choose a plain Americano when calories are your top priority. It delivers full espresso flavor for about 5 to 15 calories, which Healthline confirms is essentially negligible.
If you crave creaminess, pick skim or unsweetened almond milk in a small or medium latte and skip the syrup. Expect roughly 70 to 140 calories, which is still a meaningful win over whole milk but higher than an Americano.
Measuring add-ins at home helps too. A small digital espresso scale takes the guesswork out of milk portions and syrup pumps.
And if you make these drinks yourself, the equipment matters less than the ratio: two shots of espresso plus hot water is an Americano, and the same two shots plus a full cup of steamed milk is a latte. A reliable stovetop espresso maker works fine for either drink at home.
For counters who want coffee-shop variety without milk calories, it helps to know how a latte stacks up against cold brew and even how decaf coffee compares on calories, since both black options stay near zero by default.
The one caveat: “latte” is not a standardized recipe. A large latte with oat milk and three pumps of vanilla behaves differently from a small plain one, so always check the menu nutrition page when a chain posts it.
Bottom Line
The Americano is the clear low-calorie winner at about 5 to 15 calories versus 150 to 250 for a standard latte. Order it black, skip the syrup, and add a splash of milk only if you want it.
If milk texture is non-negotiable, downsize the latte and switch to skim or unsweetened almond milk. Even then, know the trade: you are still taking on triple the calories of the drink sitting next to it on the menu.