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Starbucks Flat White: A Silky, Sophisticated Classic

Flat White

$4.45 -110 Calories

$4.95 – 190 Calories

$5.45 – 220 Calories

$5.75 – 290 Calories

The StarbucksĀ® Flat White is the perfect pick for espresso enthusiasts who crave a bold, rich coffee flavor without overwhelming strength or excessive creaminess—it’s that ideal “just right” balance.
What sets it apart from a standard latte? Starbucks crafts the Flat White with ristretto shots (shorter, more concentrated pulls of StarbucksĀ® Signature Espresso that highlight the bean’s sweetest, smoothest notes with less bitterness). A Tall gets two ristretto shots (while a Grande often features three for extra intensity), topped with expertly steamed whole milk that’s transformed into a dense, velvety microfoam. The milk is poured to create a smooth, cohesive texture with just a thin layer on top—often finished with a signature latte art dot that rises as the crema blends in.
This gives the Flat White a noticeably higher espresso-to-milk ratio than a latte, delivering a sophisticated, silky mouthfeel that’s stronger in coffee character but still mellowed by that creamy microfoam. (Around 170 calories in a Tall, and customizable with your preferred milk!)
It’s bold yet balanced, velvety yet not frothy—ideal for anyone who wants espresso-forward elegance in every sip.

What’s Included In It?

  • Short (8 fl oz): 2 Ristretto Shots, Steamed Whole Milk.
  • Tall (12 fl oz): 2 Ristretto Shots, Steamed Whole Milk.
  • Grande (16 fl oz): 3 Ristretto Shots, Steamed Whole Milk.
  • Venti (20 fl oz): 3 Ristretto Shots, Steamed Whole Milk.

Nutrition & Calories Insights Table

NutrientAmount per Short (8 oz)% Daily Value
Calories1106%
Total Fat6g8%
Sodium75mg3%
Total Carbohydrates9g3%
Sugars8g16%
Protein6g12%
Caffeine130mg—
NutrientAmount per Tall (12 oz)% Daily Value
Calories1709%
Total Fat9g11%
Sodium115mg5%
Total Carbohydrates14g5%
Sugars13g26%
Protein9g18%
Caffeine130mg—
NutrientAmount per Grande (16 oz)% Daily Value
Calories22011%
Total Fat11g14%
Sodium150mg7%
Total Carbohydrates18g7%
Sugars17g34%
Protein12g24%
Caffeine195mg—
NutrientAmount per Venti (20 oz)% Daily Value
Calories29015%
Total Fat14g18%
Sodium200mg9%
Total Carbohydrates24g9%
Sugars22g44%
Protein16g32%
Caffeine195mg—

What Are The Customization options Available In Flat White

  • 2% Milk
  • Almond
  • Coconut
  • Breve (Half & Half)
  • Heavy Cream
  • Nonfat Milk
  • Oatmilk
  • Protein-boosted Milk
  • Soy
  • Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream
  • Vanilla Sweet Cream
  • Whole Milk
  • Whipped Cream
  • Extra Whipped Cream
  • Light Whipped Cream
  • No Whipped Cream
  • Cinnamon Powder
  • Nutmeg Powder
  • Salted Brown–Buttery Topping
  • Extra Salted Brown Butter Topping
  • Light Salted Brown–Buttery Topping
  • No Salted Brown–Buttery Topping
  • Caramel BrulĆ©e Topping
  • Caramel Crunch Topping
  • Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles
  • Cookie Crumble Topping
  • Chocolate Curls Topping
  • Pumpkin Spice Topping
  • Red & Green Sprinkle Topping
  • Caramel Drizzle
  • Mocha Drizzle
  • Nondairy Brown Sugar Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Gingerbread Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Matcha Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Salted Caramel Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Strawberry Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Sugar Cookie Cream Cold Foam
  • Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
  • Banana Protein Cold Foam
  • Brown Sugar Protein Cold Foam
  • Caramel BrulĆ©e Protein Cold Foam
  • Chocolate Protein Cold Foam
  • Gingerbread Protein Cold Foam
  • Matcha Protein Cold Foam
  • Peppermint Chocolate Protein Cold Foam
  • Pistachio Protein Cold Foam
  • Salted Caramel Protein Cold Foam
  • Sugar Cookie Protein Cold Foam
  • Vanilla Protein Cold Foam
  • Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • Extra Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • Light Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • No Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • Banana Cream Cold Foam
  • Brown Sugar Cream Cold Foam
  • Caramel BrulĆ©e Cream Cold Foam
  • Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
  • Gingerbread Cream Cold Foam
  • Matcha Cream Cold Foam
  • Peppermint Chocolate Cream Cold Foam
  • Pistachio Cream Cold Foam
  • Salted Caramel Cream Cold Foam
  • Strawberry Cream Cold Foam
  • Sugar Cookie Cream Cold Foam
  • None
  • No water – Prepared with 2% Milk
  • No water – Prepared with Almondmilk
  • No water – Prepared with Coconutmilk
  • No water – Prepared with Cream (Half & Half)
  • No water – Prepared with Heavy Cream
  • No water – Prepared with Nonfat Milk
  • No water – Prepared with Oatmilk
  • No water – Prepared with Soymilk
  • No water – Prepared with Nondairy Vanilla Sweet Cream
  • No water – Prepared with Vanilla Sweet Cream
  • No water – Prepared with Whole Milk
  • Pistachio Sauce
  • Caramel BrulĆ©e Sauce
  • Dark Caramel Sauce
  • Mocha Sauce
  • White Chocolate Mocha Sauce
  • Brown Sugar Syrup
  • Caramel Syrup
  • Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
  • Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
  • Gingerbread Syrup
  • Hazelnut Syrup
  • Peppermint Syrup
  • Sugar Cookie Syrup
  • Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
  • Vanilla Syrup
  • Vanilla Bean Powder scoops
  • Add Shots
  • None
  • Blonde Espresso
  • Signature Espresso
  • 1/2 Decaf
  • Decaf Espresso Roast
  • 1/3 Decaf
  • 2/3 Decaf
  • None
  • Ristretto
  • Long Shot
  • None
  • Upside Down
  • None
  • Line the Cup with Caramel Sauce
  • Line the Cup with Mocha Sauce
  • Ice
  • Extra Ice
  • Light Ice
  • No Ice
  • Pistachio Sauce
  • Matcha Powder scoops
  • Classic Syrup
  • Honey Blend Syrup
  • Honey
  • Sugar In The RawĀ®
  • SplendaĀ®
  • Stevia in the RawĀ®
  • Sugar
  • Personal Cup
  • None
  • Short Cup
  • Tall Cup
  • Grande Cup
  • Venti Cup

Frequently Asked Questions

Both are creamy espresso drinks with steamed milk, but they deliver distinctly different experiences at Starbucks:

  • A Flat White uses ristretto shots (shorter, more concentrated pulls that bring out sweeter, richer notes with less bitterness) and whole milk by default. It features a dense, velvety microfoam (less foam overall, integrated smoothly into the milk for a silky texture) and a higher espresso-to-milk ratio, resulting in a bolder, more espresso-forward taste that’s strong but balanced—not overly milky.
  • A CaffĆØ Latte uses standard Signature Espresso shots and 2% milk (steamed with more visible foam on top). It has a higher milk volume and lower espresso ratio, creating a smoother, creamier, milder coffee flavor with that classic layered foam cap.

In short: Flat White = richer, silkier, coffee-dominant elegance. Latte = comforting, milkier smoothness. (Both around 170 calories in a Tall, customizable!)

Ristretto is Italian for “restricted.” Baristas pull these shots with less water and a shorter extraction time than a standard espresso, concentrating the sweetest, most flavorful compounds from the beans while avoiding the bitter notes that come out toward the end of a longer pull. At Starbucks, ristretto shots give the Flat White its signature smooth, intense richness without extra harshness.

Whole milk is the standard because its higher fat content steams into a tighter, more velvety microfoam—essential for that signature silky, cohesive texture. The fat helps create smaller, denser bubbles that blend seamlessly into the milk, giving the drink its luxurious mouthfeel without big frothy layers. (You can swap to other milks, but whole milk delivers the classic experience!)

It depends on the size, but often yes—due to the shot count:

  • Tall (12 oz) Flat White: 2 ristretto shots (~130mg caffeine)
  • Grande (16 oz) and Venti (20 oz) Flat White: 3 ristretto shots (~195mg)

A standard CaffĆØ Latte uses 1 shot in Tall (~75mg), 2 in Grande (~150mg), and 2 in Venti (~150mg). So the Flat White packs a stronger caffeine punch in larger sizes, plus the ristretto’s intensity makes the coffee flavor pop more.

Yes, absolutely! Customize it with StarbucksĀ® Blonde Espresso for a lighter roast profile—smoother, slightly brighter with citrusy notes—while keeping the whole milk and velvety microfoam. It’s a great way to mellow the boldness if you prefer something subtler.

Yes—the Iced Flat White is on the menu! It uses the same ristretto shots (shot count varies by size) and whole milk standard, poured over ice for a chilled, refreshing take. The result is still bold and balanced, just cooler and smoother as it dilutes slightly—perfect for warm days. (Around 110 calories in a Tall, with ~90mg caffeine.)

Discover the full Starbucks USA menu right here — from classic hot & iced coffees, refreshing cold teas, protein-packed beverages, bakery treats, sandwiches, and seasonal specials, all with the latest 2026 prices, sizes, calories, and customization options. Whether you’re craving the bold 1971 Roastā„¢ Americano, viral Dubai Chocolate Mocha, high-protein Iced Matcha, or a quick Egg Bites breakfast, find everything you need to plan your perfect Starbucks run. Tap below for the complete USA menu breakdown by category, current pricing, and fan-favorite picks

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