Demystifying Your Daily Brew: How many calories are in a Starbucks grande skinny latte?

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition data, a standard Starbucks grande skinny vanilla latte contains 120 calories. This comprehensive guide breaks down the nutrition profile and answers the essential question: how many calories are in a Starbucks grande skinny latte, and what makes it a lighter choice?

Quick Summary

This guide covers the calorie count of a Starbucks grande skinny latte, detailing its nutritional breakdown. It also explains the specific ingredients used, offers a comparison to standard lattes, and provides customization tips for managing your caloric intake.

Key Points

120 Calories: A standard grande skinny vanilla latte at Starbucks contains 120 calories.
Skinny Means Nonfat and Sugar-Free: The 'skinny' option uses nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup to significantly reduce calories and fat.
Iced is Lower Calorie: An iced grande skinny vanilla latte is even lighter, with only 80 calories.
Low Fat, High Protein: The skinny latte is fat-free and offers a good source of protein and calcium from the nonfat milk.
Customize for Control: You can further lower calories by choosing different milk alternatives like unsweetened almond milk or by requesting fewer pumps of syrup.
Compare to Regular: A skinny latte has far fewer calories than a regular latte, which is made with 2% milk and standard syrup and contains over 200 calories.

Understanding the 'Skinny' Designation

At Starbucks, the term "skinny" refers to drinks made with specific substitutions to reduce calories and fat. A standard "skinny" order includes nonfat milk instead of the regular 2% milk, and sugar-free syrup instead of the standard flavored syrup. In the case of a latte, this also means no whipped cream. These key changes are responsible for the significant calorie reduction compared to their full-fat, full-sugar counterparts.

The Grande Skinny Vanilla Latte: Calorie and Macro Breakdown

One of the most popular skinny drinks is the Skinny Vanilla Latte. A grande size (16 fl oz) of this particular drink contains approximately 120 calories. Its macronutrient profile is predominantly carbohydrates and protein, with virtually no fat, which is the result of using nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup.

Carbohydrates: Approximately 19g, primarily from the naturally occurring sugars in the nonfat milk (lactose) and any added sugar-free syrup.
Protein: A notable 12g, providing a decent protein boost for a beverage.
Fat: 0g, making it a fat-free beverage choice.
Sodium: About 170mg.

Comparing Skinny vs. Regular Lattes

Understanding the calorie difference requires a direct comparison between the skinny and regular versions. The table below illustrates how the substitutions add up to make a significant impact on the final caloric load of your drink. This helps demonstrate how a few simple swaps can make a big difference for those managing their daily calorie intake.


Drink Type	Milk	Syrup	Whipped Cream	Approx. Calories (Grande, 16oz)
Skinny Vanilla Latte	Nonfat	Sugar-Free Vanilla	No	120
Vanilla Latte	2%	Vanilla	Optional	250+ (Regular grande vanilla latte)
Iced Skinny Vanilla Latte	Nonfat	Sugar-Free Vanilla	No	80
Plain Skinny Latte	Nonfat	None	No	130

Customization: Beyond the Standard 'Skinny'

While ordering a standard skinny latte is a great start, you can further customize your beverage to align with specific dietary goals. Starbucks offers a range of options that can alter the calorie count, sugar content, and macronutrient profile.

Milk Alternatives: Opting for other low-calorie, non-dairy milk substitutes can change the nutritional information. Unsweetened almond milk, for instance, is a popular choice for those looking to further reduce calories. A latte made with almond milk will typically have fewer calories than one made with nonfat dairy milk. However, oat milk generally has more calories than nonfat dairy milk, so be mindful of your choice.
Syrup Control: Even with sugar-free syrup, you can control the amount. Instead of the standard four pumps for a grande, you can request fewer to minimize the amount of sweetener.
Flavoring with Spices: For flavor without any added calories, ask for a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg on top instead of syrup.
Use the Calorie Calculator: Starbucks provides a nutritional calculator on their website and app that allows you to see real-time updates to the calorie count as you customize your order. This is an invaluable tool for precision tracking.

Nutritional Considerations Beyond Calories

While a skinny latte is a low-calorie option, it is important to remember that it is not a complete meal. It provides a good dose of calcium and protein from the milk, along with a caffeine boost. However, it lacks fiber and other essential nutrients found in a balanced diet. It's a great treat or morning pick-me-up, but shouldn't replace a wholesome breakfast.

For those watching their blood sugar, the use of sugar-free syrups is beneficial as it prevents a significant spike. However, some individuals may prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners altogether. In such cases, using a smaller amount of the regular syrup or relying on the natural sweetness of milk is an alternative strategy.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

A Starbucks grande skinny latte provides a satisfying coffee experience with a fraction of the calories found in its regular counterpart. By utilizing nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup, it becomes a smart choice for individuals managing their weight or simply looking to reduce sugar and fat intake. The base grande skinny vanilla latte contains 120 calories, and other versions, like the iced, can be even lower. However, being aware of the ingredients and customizing your order can provide even greater control over your nutrition. Whether you stick with the standard skinny order or explore alternatives like almond milk and natural spices, staying informed about your beverage's nutrition facts empowers you to make smarter choices that align with your overall dietary goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

A grande (16 oz) plain skinny latte, made with nonfat milk and no added syrup, contains approximately 130 calories.

To order a skinny latte, simply ask for your desired latte with nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup. You can also specify if you want it iced. For example: 'Grande iced skinny vanilla latte'.

Yes, a skinny vanilla latte is significantly lower in calories, fat, and sugar compared to a regular vanilla latte, making it a healthier choice for those watching their intake. A grande skinny vanilla latte has 120 calories, while a regular one has more than double.

A skinny vanilla latte is made with sugar-free vanilla syrup, which eliminates the calories and sugar found in the regular vanilla syrup.

A standard grande latte from Starbucks typically comes with four pumps of syrup. For a skinny version, this will be four pumps of sugar-free syrup, though you can request fewer for a less sweet taste.

No, a skinny latte made with oat milk will have a different calorie count than one made with nonfat milk. Oat milk is generally higher in calories and sugar than nonfat milk, so it will add to the overall calorie total of your drink.

You can use the Starbucks app or website's nutrition calculator. This tool allows you to select your base drink and customize the milk, syrup, and toppings, providing an updated calorie count in real-time.