What coffee has the least carbs? A definitive guide for low-carb diets

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

Plain, black coffee brewed with water is virtually carb-free, containing less than one gram of carbohydrates per standard 8-ounce cup. The primary source of carbs in most coffee drinks comes from added milks, sugars, and flavored syrups, not the coffee bean itself. This makes black coffee the ultimate low-carb option, a crucial fact for anyone monitoring their carbohydrate intake.

Quick Summary

Black coffee and espresso are the lowest-carb options available. Carbohydrates typically enter coffee via sugary syrups, dairy milk, and other sweet additives. Choose sugar-free alternatives and unsweetened milk substitutes to keep your carb count minimal.

Key Points

Black Coffee is the Lowest in Carbs: Pure, black coffee, including drip coffee, espresso, and americanos, contains less than 1 gram of carbs per serving.
Carbs Come from Additions: The high carb content in most sweetened coffee drinks is from sugar, sugary syrups, and traditional dairy milk, not the coffee itself.
Choose Unsweetened Alternatives: Use unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or heavy cream instead of dairy milk to minimize carb count.
Opt for Zero-Carb Sweeteners: Sweeten your coffee with natural, zero-carb options like stevia or monk fruit extract instead of sugar.
Cold Brew is Still Low-Carb: While slightly higher in carbs than hot brew, unsweetened cold brew remains a low-carb choice at 1–2g per large serving.
Consider Keto Coffee: For those on a keto diet, blending black coffee with healthy fats like butter and MCT oil creates a satisfying, very low-carb drink.

The Surprising Truth About Coffee and Carbs

Many people mistakenly believe coffee itself is a significant source of carbohydrates, but in reality, coffee beans contain only a minimal amount of trace carbohydrates. The brewing process leaves nearly all of these behind, resulting in a cup that is almost entirely water and extracted flavor. However, once you introduce other ingredients, the nutritional profile changes dramatically. The simple addition of traditional milk and sugar, or ordering a fancy specialty drink from a coffee shop, is what causes the carb count to skyrocket.

The Lowest-Carb Coffee Champions

When seeking the absolute lowest-carb option, simplicity is key. Here are the top contenders:

Plain Black Coffee: This is the undisputed winner. Whether it's a drip brew, pour-over, or French press, black coffee with no additions is your safest bet for a carb-free beverage.
Espresso and Americano: A single shot of espresso contains roughly 0.5 grams of carbs. An Americano, which is simply espresso with hot water, retains this near-zero carb count.
Unsweetened Cold Brew: While the extended steeping process extracts slightly more from the coffee grounds, including a few more carbohydrates than a hot brew, unsweetened cold brew is still a very low-carb choice, typically containing only 1 to 2 grams per large serving.

Comparison of Coffee Drinks and Their Carb Content

Understanding the impact of different additives is critical for managing your carb intake. The following table illustrates how a drink's carb profile can change based on its ingredients.


Coffee Type	Serving Size	Approximate Carbs	Key Difference
Black Coffee	8 oz	<1g	Pure coffee and water; virtually carb-free.
Latte (with whole milk)	12 oz	~15g	Carbs come from the lactose in the milk.
Mocha (with syrup & milk)	12 oz	20–30g+	Carbs from both sugary syrup and milk.
Bulletproof Coffee	8 oz	~0–1g	Blended with fat; virtually no carbs added.
Cappuccino (with unsweetened almond milk)	12 oz	~2g	Low-carb milk alternative keeps the count minimal.

Smart Additions for Low-Carb Coffee

If black coffee is not to your taste, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for your diet. There are many low-carb alternatives to traditional sugars and milk.

Low-Carb Dairy and Milk Alternatives

Unsweetened Nut Milks: Unsweetened almond milk and unsweetened macadamia nut milk are excellent low-carb options, often containing 1 gram of carbs or less per cup.
Heavy Cream: Heavy whipping cream is low in carbs and provides a rich, creamy texture. As a high-fat addition, it is especially popular for those on a ketogenic diet.

Sugar-Free Sweeteners and Flavorings

Natural Zero-Carb Sweeteners: Opt for natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract, which provide sweetness without adding carbohydrates.
Sugar-Free Syrups: Many brands offer sugar-free flavored syrups that can be used to recreate popular coffeehouse drinks without the added carbs.
Spices and Extracts: A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a splash of vanilla extract can add a delightful flavor dimension without any carbohydrates.

Keto Coffee: The High-Fat, Low-Carb Option

For those specifically following a ketogenic diet, Bulletproof Coffee is a popular option. This is a black coffee blended with high-quality fats like MCT oil and grass-fed butter or ghee. The added fats help induce and maintain ketosis, providing a sustained energy boost. When made correctly, it is a very satisfying, near-zero-carb beverage. You can find many popular keto coffee recipes online, such as this guide from Drink Super Coffee.

Conclusion: Keeping Your Cup Carb-Conscious

The journey to finding the coffee with the least carbs ends with black coffee and espresso. However, the story doesn't have to end there. By understanding which additions to avoid (sugar and traditional milk) and which to embrace (unsweetened nut milks, heavy cream, and sugar-free sweeteners), you can continue to enjoy a variety of delicious and flavorful coffee drinks without the high carbohydrate load. Whether you are aiming for near-zero carbs with black coffee or are fueling your body with a keto-friendly blend, smart choices are always available.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, plain black coffee, including brewed coffee, espresso, and Americanos, is virtually carb-free, containing less than one gram per serving.

The carbs in flavored coffee drinks come primarily from the added sugary syrups, toppings, and dairy milk, not from the coffee itself.

Excellent low-carb alternatives to dairy milk include unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened coconut milk, or a splash of heavy whipping cream.

Look for sweeteners that contain no carbs, such as stevia or monk fruit extract. Some sugar alcohols can still have a slight carb count or cause digestive issues.

Yes, unsweetened cold brew has a slightly higher carb count (1–2g per 16oz) than hot brewed coffee (<1g per 8oz) due to the longer extraction process, but it is still very low.

For a low-carb latte, brew an espresso shot or strong coffee, then top it with frothed, unsweetened almond milk or a mix of heavy cream and water. Add a sugar-free sweetener if desired.

Yes, keto coffee is a very low-carb option as it consists of black coffee blended with high-fat, low-carb ingredients like grass-fed butter and MCT oil.