A flat white is an espresso drink made with a double shot, steamed milk, and a thin layer of silky microfoam. It’s usually served in a 5 to 6 oz cup. Compared with a latte, it has less milk and a stronger coffee flavor, with just a little foam on top. Flat whites can vary from one coffee shop to another, so the exact size and recipe depend on where you order.

Key Takeaways

• A flat white can taste stronger than a latte because it uses less milk.
• Flat white milk should be smooth and glossy, rather than the thick and airy foam found on a cappuccino.
• There’s no single official flat white recipe, and its exact origins in Australian and New Zealand coffee culture are still debated.
• An iced flat white uses cold milk and ice instead of steamed milk.

What’s Actually in a Flat White

A flat white is espresso plus steamed milk with a thin layer of microfoam, served in a small cup. 

A typical flat white has:

• A double shot of espresso.
• About 4 to 5 oz of steamed milk.
• A thin layer of microfoam.

The milk is poured so the top stays smooth and glossy. This combination of a small cup and less milk gives a flat white a higher coffee-to-milk ratio than a latte.

How Is Flat White Made?

A flat white starts with a double shot of espresso. Some coffee shops use shorter ristretto shots, which have a more concentrated flavor. The barista then steams the milk with very little air to create silky microfoam.

The milk should look smooth and glossy, almost like wet paint, rather than thick or stiff. It’s poured over the espresso with just a thin layer of microfoam left on top.

Whole milk is always the best choice. Other dairy and plant-based milks can work too, but the taste and texture may change. You can see how they change a drink in our guide to the best milk for a latte.

Flat White vs Latte 

A flat white and a latte both use espresso and steamed milk, but the proportions are different. A flat white has less milk and comes in a smaller cup, so the coffee flavor comes through more. A latte is larger and milkier, which also makes it a great base for flavored syrups.

For a closer look at the differences, see our flat white vs. cappuccino vs. latte comparison.

Flat White vs Cappuccino

The main difference is the foam. A cappuccino has a thicker and airier layer of foam, while a flat white has a thin layer of silky microfoam. This gives a flat white a smoother texture and lets more of the coffee flavor come through.

For more details, see our flat white vs. cappuccino vs. latte comparison.

Is a Flat White Stronger Than a Latte?

A flat white usually tastes stronger than a latte, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has more caffeine. Both drinks typically use the same amount of espresso. A flat white has less milk, so the espresso flavor stands out more.

Why Nobody Agrees on What a Flat White Is

There’s no single official recipe for a flat white. The drink became part of coffee culture in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s, and both countries have claims tied to its early history. In Australia, for example, the term “flat white” appeared on a Sydney coffee shop menu in 1985, but its exact origin is still debated.

As the flat white spread around the world, coffee shops created their own versions. One coffee shop might serve it in a 5 or 6 oz cup with a double espresso, while another might use ristretto shots or serve it in a larger cup. Even the amount and texture of the milk can change.

That’s why ordering a flat white at two different coffee shops may get you two slightly different drinks. The common thread is espresso, steamed milk, and a thin layer of microfoam, with a stronger coffee flavor than you’d usually get from a latte.

How to Order a Flat White You’ll Actually Like

Since flat whites vary between coffee shops, don’t rely on the name alone. Be specific about the cup size, number of shots, and amount of foam.

For a classic flat-white-style drink, ask for:

• A small cup: Around 5 to 8 oz keeps the milk-to-coffee ratio low.
• A double shot: This helps the espresso flavor stand out.
• Light microfoam: Ask for a thin and smooth layer rather than the thicker foam you’d get on a cappuccino.

These details make it easier to get a smooth drink with a strong coffee flavor, even when a coffee shop has its own version of a flat white.

What to Order at Canal If You Love a Flat White

We don’t have a flat white on the menu, but you can order something with a similar balance of espresso and milk. Try a small latte with an extra shot if you want a drink with a stronger coffee flavor.

A cappuccino is another option if you like an espresso-forward drink, but expect more foam than you’d get with a flat white.

Flat White vs. Latte vs. Cappuccino

Here’s a quick look at how these three espresso drinks compare:

Aspect	Flat White	Latte	Cappuccino
Base	Double espresso + steamed milk	Espresso + steamed milk	Espresso + steamed milk
Typical size	5-6 oz	8-12+ oz	5-6 oz
Milk-to-coffee	Less milk, more coffee-forward	More milk, milder coffee flavor	Small, with more aerated milk
Foam	Thin and glossy microfoam	Thin microfoam layer	Thicker and airier foam
Taste	Smooth and strong coffee flavor	Mild and milky	Strong coffee flavor with more foam
Best for	A small and strong milk coffee	A larger and milder milk coffee	A small and foamy classic

For the full breakdown, see our flat white vs. cappuccino vs. latte comparison.

FAQ

How Much Caffeine Is in a Flat White?

A flat white made with two shots of espresso has about 126 mg of caffeine. That estimate comes from about 63 mg of caffeine per espresso shot, multiplied by two. The exact amount can vary depending on the coffee and how the espresso is prepared.

What Is an Iced Flat White?

An iced flat white is made with espresso, cold milk, and ice instead of steamed milk. It keeps the higher coffee-to-milk ratio of a hot flat white, so it usually tastes stronger and less milky than an iced latte.

How Many Calories Are in a Flat White?

The calories in a flat white depend on the cup size and type of milk. A small flat white made with whole milk typically has around 100 to 150 calories. Using lower-fat or plant-based milk can change the calorie count.