CALC.MILK_009

Milk Drink
Calculator

Get your ratios right: calculate milk volumes, foam proportions, and cup sizes for every espresso-based drink.

MILK.RATIO Build Drink

Choose Your Drink

Your Espresso

Standard: 36ml

Your Drink

Foam -- ml
Milk -- ml
Espresso -- ml
Total Volume -- ml
Milk to Steam -- ml
Suggested Cup -- oz

Drink Ratios

Ratios show espresso : milk : foam proportions.

Cortado 1:1
Flat White 1:2
Cappuccino 1:2:2
Latte 1:4

Steam Loss

Milk expands roughly 25-50% when steamed. The "Milk to Steam" figure accounts for this, so start with that amount of cold milk.

MILK.FOAM Texture

Different drinks need different foam textures. Use this to understand how much your milk should expand when steaming.

Foam Style

Cold Milk Volume

ml
Final Volume -- ml After steaming
Volume Gained -- ml From aeration
Pitcher Level -- Fill line guide
Before
→
After

Foam Textures

Microfoam

Silky, pourable. For latte art and lattes.

Velvet

Slightly thicker. Traditional flat white.

Cappuccino

Airy layers. Classic cappuccino texture.

Dry

Stiff peaks. For dry cappuccinos.

Pitcher Guide

For microfoam, fill to bottom of spout. For cappuccino foam, fill lower to leave room for expansion.

MILK.CUPS Reference

Match your cup to your drink. The right cup size affects presentation, heat retention, and drinking experience.

Cup Size Volume Best For
Demitasse 60-90ml (2-3oz) Espresso, Ristretto
Gibraltar / Cortado 120ml (4oz) Cortado, Piccolo
Cappuccino Cup 150-180ml (5-6oz) Cappuccino, Flat White
Latte Cup 240ml (8oz) Latte, Americano
Mug 300-360ml (10-12oz) Large Latte, Cafe au Lait
Large Mug 400-480ml (14-16oz) Iced drinks, Specialty

Find Your Cup Size

ml
Enter your drink volume to get a cup recommendation.

Cup Selection Tips

  • Leave 5-10mm headroom for foam
  • Wider cups = faster cooling
  • Preheat ceramic cups
  • Thick walls = better heat retention

Classic Shapes

Tulip: Wide mouth, curved walls. Best for latte art.

Gibraltar: Straight sides, versatile.

ACF: Thick porcelain, heat retention.

Drink Guide

Understanding espresso-based milk drinks.

☕

Macchiato

Espresso "marked" with a dollop of foam. Intense espresso flavor with just enough milk to soften the edge. 60-90ml total.

🥛

Cortado

Equal parts espresso and steamed milk. Spanish origin. No foam layer - just silky textured milk cutting the espresso's acidity.

🇦🇺

Flat White

Australian classic. Ristretto base with velvety microfoam. Stronger than a latte, smoother than a cappuccino. 150-180ml.

☁️

Cappuccino

Equal thirds: espresso, steamed milk, foam. Italian breakfast staple. The foam layer should be thick enough to dust with chocolate.