Espresso vs Cappuccino: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Cappuccino is higher in protein with 1.7 g compared to espresso's 0.1 g. Espresso is lower in calories at 9, while cappuccino has 27.

Espresso and cappuccino are popular coffee beverages with distinct nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help consumers make informed choices based on dietary needs.

What Is the Difference Between Espresso and Cappuccino?

Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. It is known for its strong flavor and is often served in small shots. Cappuccino is a coffee drink that combines equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam. It is typically served in a larger cup and has a creamier texture.

Espresso vs Cappuccino: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of espresso and cappuccino, highlighting their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Espresso	Cappuccino
Calories	9 kcal	27 kcal
Protein	0.1 g	1.7 g
Carbs	1.7 g	2.8 g
Sugar	0 g	2.5 g
Fat	0.2 g	1.0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	14 mg	23 mg

Which Is Better, Espresso or Cappuccino?

For weight loss: Espresso contains 9 calories, while cappuccino has 27 calories, making espresso the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Cappuccino has 1.7 g of protein, significantly higher than espresso's 0.1 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Espresso has 1.7 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar, while cappuccino has 2.8 g of carbs and 2.5 g of sugar.

How to Track Espresso and Cappuccino Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can often be misjudged, leading to inaccurate dietary assessments. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Cappuccino has 1.7 g of protein, while espresso has 0.1 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Espresso has 9 calories, while cappuccino has 27 calories.

What are the carbohydrate contents?

Espresso contains 1.7 g of carbs, and cappuccino contains 2.8 g of carbs.

How much sugar is in each?

Espresso has 0 g of sugar, whereas cappuccino has 2.5 g of sugar.

What is the fat content in both?

Espresso has 0.2 g of fat, while cappuccino has 1.0 g of fat.

What is the sodium level in each drink?

Espresso contains 14 mg of sodium, and cappuccino contains 23 mg of sodium.

Key Takeaways

• Espresso has 9 calories per 100 g.
• Cappuccino has 27 calories per 100 g.
• Espresso contains 0.1 g of protein.
• Cappuccino contains 1.7 g of protein.
• Espresso has 0 g of sugar.
• Cappuccino has 2.5 g of sugar.