The basic difference is that the cappuccino has frothed and steamed milk, whereas the café latte has steamed milk only.

A cappuccino and a latte are almost the same espresso drink, just with different proportions of steamed milk to foam. A cappuccino normally has an equal ratio of steamed milk to milk foam, which can best be achieved by "free-pouring" the milk immediately after steaming. This means that the milk and the milk foam do not have time to seperate. Variations on this include the wet, semi-wet, semi-dry, dry, and bone dry cappuccino. A latte on the other hand is almost entirely steamed milk, with a smidgeon of milk foam on the top. Variations are the "no foam latte", which is for those who cannot handle their foam. The latte is the basis for many popular drinks, such as the "vanilla latte" or a "mocha" or "mocha latte" (which are the same).

It may depend on where you are drinking the coffee. In New York City -- particularly in the Little Italy section and tourist-trap cafes all over town -- a cappuccino is served in a shorter cup and is usually half espresso and half steamed milk, with a generous amount of foamed (or frothy) milk dolloped on top with a spoon. The foam is often topped with cinnamon powder or shaved chocolate. A latte is often served in a taller mug and contains more steamed milk than espresso. As previously noted, it too usually has foam, but it is not unusual to ask for it without foam. If you want more out of your coffee drink, whether it be a latte or a cappuccino, it is always advisable to ask for "no foam," since the foam can replace a considerable amount of the actual coffee/milk beverage.

Cappucinos are 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk and 1/3 foamed milk. Lattes are 1 or 2 shots of espresso with the rest steamed milk, topped with a spoonful of foamed milk.

Leslie had it close... but it's actually much simpler than that. Here's the answer to several questions, all at once. All espresso drinks start with a shot of... well... espresso. (and you can get a second, or "double" shot, or a triple, or a quad...but let's just keep it simple). Espresso Con Panna = Espresso with a dollop of whipped cream Espresso Macchiato = A shot of Espresso poured through a dollop of foamed milk - so that the foam has "marked" the foam (the translation of macchiato) Latte = A shot of Espresso topped by steamed milk (in whatever quantity), capped wih a dollop of foam. Cappuccino = A shot of espresso, topped with foamy milk (half foam, half steamed milk). The secret to a perfect Cappuccino is in the steaming of the milk. A lot of places cheat by pouring half the cup's worth of steamed milk over the espresso, and ladling lots of foam on top. That's totally wrong. The milk and foam should be swirled together while being steamed (you actually use the steam wand of the espresso machine to push the foam under the top of the milk, and you basically end up with a pitcher full of really foamy milk), and then free-poured on top. This makes for a light drink of foamy milk and espresso - rather than a dense extra-foamy latte. As the drink sits, the cap of foam on top should become very stiff - like meringue (the better the Barista, the better the foam) - and very often you can sprinkle various things on top of the foam and eat it with a spoon. Starbucks actually took the expense of re-training its entire workforce on this one single drink concept last year. Of course, Starbucks being what it is (employee turn-over, etc.) you gotta watch those kids close. If they don't make it properly, tell them to do it right! (but do it with a smile - don't be THAT customer...)

Glad you asked, finally a question where i go from a contributor to an expert. LOL. Both a latte a cappuccino are usually based on a 30ml shot of coffee. A cappuccino is 1/3rd coffee, 1/3 warm milk and 1/3 froth (Thats when its made properly- usually alot of people will make it milkier than that). A latte is supposed to be served in a glass rather than a cup, and is 1/4 coffee, 2/4 milk and 1/4 froth. For its optimum, the beans need to be grinded just before use and the milk should be textured to 60 degrees celcius... Hope that helps :)

Good answer by Kylie_maree But also, when making a cappuccino, you put the coffee in, the milk whilst keeping back the foam, then you put all the foam on top. When I do a latte I put the foam and the milk at the same time, perhaps adding a bit to the top if need be. Also, a cappuccino gets cocoa powder sprinkled on the top.

The biggest difference is the amount of milk. There is a LOT of milk in a latte.

I work at Dunkin Donuts & have asked several customers & co-workers what the difference is & they actually have no idea.to me they are the same,I have noticed that the stuck up people ask for a cappuccino while the down to earth people ask for a latte so I guess it's just what you feel like asking for. Just my opinion