Demystifying Your Daily Brew: Is There Lots of Caffeine in a Latte?

November 6, 2025 •

4 min read

A standard single shot of espresso contains about 63 mg of caffeine. When contemplating your favorite coffee shop drink, it's common to wonder: Is there lots of caffeine in a latte? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, as the final caffeine amount depends on the preparation, ingredients, and size of your specific beverage.

Quick Summary

The caffeine in a latte depends primarily on the number of espresso shots used, with a single shot containing about 63mg. Lattes often contain less total caffeine than larger servings of brewed coffee due to dilution with milk, though adding more shots increases the content significantly.

Key Points

Espresso is the source: The caffeine content in a latte comes primarily from its espresso shots, not the milk or other ingredients.
Less than brewed coffee: A standard-sized latte often has less total caffeine than a cup of drip-brewed coffee because the espresso is heavily diluted with milk.
Customize your caffeine: You can easily control your caffeine intake by ordering a latte with fewer or more espresso shots, with a single shot providing about 63 mg.
Decaf isn't caffeine-free: Decaffeinated lattes still contain a small amount of caffeine (3-15mg per shot), which is a key consideration for sensitive individuals.
Mind the nutrition additions: Syrups and whole milk can significantly increase a latte's calorie and sugar content, impacting its place in a healthy diet.
Factors influence potency: The type of bean, roast level, and brewing method all influence the exact amount of caffeine in each espresso shot.

The amount of caffeine in any coffee drink is a matter of both science and customization. For a latte, the most important factor is the number of espresso shots used, as this is the primary source of the stimulating compound. Understanding the core components of this popular drink can help you make an informed decision about your daily caffeine intake and its role in a balanced nutrition diet.

The Core of a Latte: Espresso's Role

At its heart, a latte is a mixture of espresso and steamed milk. The caffeine content is derived exclusively from the espresso, with each standard 1-ounce shot contributing an average of 63 to 64 milligrams of caffeine. This amount can vary based on several variables, including the type of coffee bean and the roasting process.

Bean Variety: Robusta beans naturally contain significantly more caffeine than Arabica beans. While Arabica is favored for its smoother flavor in many specialty cafes, some espresso blends use a mix of both to increase the caffeine kick and intensity.
Roast Level: Lighter roasted beans are denser by weight and retain slightly more caffeine than darker roasted beans, where some caffeine is lost during the longer roasting process.

How the Number of Shots Affects Your Caffeine

Most cafes offer lattes in various sizes, with the number of espresso shots increasing with the size of the drink. A single shot in a small latte will obviously deliver less caffeine than a double or triple shot in a larger one. A standard medium latte often contains two shots, providing roughly 126 mg of caffeine. This customization is key to controlling your caffeine consumption.

Latte vs. Brewed Coffee: A Caffeine Showdown

One of the most common misconceptions is that a latte, with its rich flavor, automatically has a higher caffeine content than regular coffee. However, for a typical serving size, the opposite is often true.

Brewed Coffee: An 8-ounce cup of standard drip-brewed coffee typically contains around 95 milligrams of caffeine. Large sizes can easily exceed 200 milligrams.
Latte: An 8-ounce latte with a single espresso shot would only contain about 63 mg of caffeine. Even a larger 12-ounce latte with a double shot (approx. 126 mg) is comparable to or only slightly more caffeinated than a standard brewed coffee, despite its larger volume.

This is primarily due to the significant amount of steamed milk in a latte, which dilutes the espresso. The coffee-to-water ratio is much higher in a standard cup of brewed coffee, leading to more caffeine extraction for the same volume.

What About Decaf Lattes?

For those aiming to reduce their caffeine intake, a decaf latte seems like the obvious choice. It is important to note, however, that the term 'decaf' does not mean 'caffeine-free'.

Decaf espresso, which forms the base of a decaf latte, has undergone a process to remove most of its caffeine. Regulations require at least 97% of the caffeine to be removed.
A single shot of decaf espresso can still contain between 3 and 15 milligrams of caffeine. Therefore, a decaf latte will have a small amount of caffeine, which might still be a concern for highly sensitive individuals.

Nutrition Considerations and Customizing Your Drink

Beyond caffeine, the nutritional profile of a latte is defined by its other ingredients. A standard latte made with whole milk and added flavored syrups can quickly become a significant source of calories, saturated fat, and sugar.

Customizing for a Healthier Diet:

Choose Skim or Non-Dairy Milk: Opting for skim milk or unsweetened non-dairy alternatives like almond, oat, or soy milk can significantly reduce the calorie and fat content.
Skip the Syrups: Flavored syrups add a high amount of sugar, contributing to overall calorie intake. Choosing a simple latte or using a sugar-free alternative can drastically reduce this.
Mind the Size: Larger lattes not only contain more espresso and caffeine but also more milk and potentially more sugar, especially if it is pre-sweetened.

Caffeine Comparison: Latte vs. Other Coffee Drinks


Beverage	Typical Serving Size	Espresso Shots	Estimated Caffeine (mg)
Standard Latte	8-12 oz	1-2	63-126
Brewed Coffee	8 oz	N/A	95
Cold Brew	8 oz (Concentrate)	N/A	100-200
Cappuccino	6-12 oz	1-2	63-126
Espresso Shot	1 oz	1	63
Decaf Latte	8-12 oz	1-2	~3-15
Iced Caffe Latte	12 oz	2	126

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

The question of whether there's lots of caffeine in a latte has a variable answer. A standard latte with one shot contains less total caffeine than a typical cup of brewed coffee, but adding extra shots, as is common in larger drinks, increases the level significantly. While the creamy texture and milder flavor might suggest a lighter beverage, understanding that the caffeine primarily comes from the espresso shots is key. For those on a specific nutrition diet, customizing the milk and avoiding sugary syrups can make a latte a more health-conscious choice. Ultimately, managing your daily intake requires being mindful of the ingredients and the number of espresso shots in your cup. For more general guidance on healthy eating, consider resources from reputable sources like the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. A standard latte with one or two espresso shots typically has a moderate amount of caffeine, often less than an equivalent serving of drip-brewed coffee. The total caffeine content depends on the number of espresso shots.

A double-shot latte contains about 126 milligrams of caffeine, as a standard 1-ounce espresso shot has approximately 63 milligrams.

Generally, no. A typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains about 95mg of caffeine, while a standard 8-ounce latte with one shot has less (around 63mg). The caffeine per ounce is higher in espresso, but the larger volume of brewed coffee often results in a higher total amount per cup.

To reduce the caffeine in your latte, you can request a single-shot instead of a double, or opt for a decaf version. Be aware that decaf is not completely caffeine-free.

Yes, decaf espresso is not caffeine-free. While the decaffeination process removes most caffeine (at least 97%), a single shot can still contain 3-15 milligrams.

Yes. The type of bean can affect caffeine content. For instance, Robusta beans have nearly twice the caffeine of Arabica beans, though Arabica is more commonly used in specialty lattes.

The main nutritional considerations for lattes, beyond caffeine, are the calories, saturated fat, and sugar content from the milk and any added flavored syrups. Choosing low-fat milk and avoiding syrups can make the drink healthier.