How Many Calories Are in a Cup of Coffee?
A cup of black coffee has about 2 calories. See calories with milk, cream and sugar, plus a macros table comparing latte, cappuccino and more.
Published · 2 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
A cup of plain black coffee (about 240 ml / 8 oz) has roughly 2 calories. The calories in coffee come almost entirely from what you add — milk, cream, sugar or syrups — so a latte or sweetened coffee can have anywhere from 50 to 400 calories.
How Many Calories Are in a Cup of Coffee?
Plain black coffee is one of the lowest-calorie drinks you can have: a standard 8-ounce (240 ml) cup contains only about 2 calories. Brewed coffee is almost entirely water, with just trace amounts of dissolved oils, acids and compounds — so by itself it is essentially calorie-free. The calories in your coffee come almost entirely from what you add: milk, cream, sugar, syrups and toppings. Depending on those choices, a coffee can range from near-zero calories to over 400.
Calories in plain coffee
| Drink | Serving | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Black coffee | 8 oz (240 ml) | ~2 cal |
| Black coffee | 12 oz | ~3 cal |
| Espresso | 1 shot (~30 ml) | ~1–3 cal |
| Americano (black) | 8 oz | ~5 cal |
| Decaf black coffee | 8 oz | ~0–2 cal |
Macronutrients in black coffee
The table shows the approximate nutrition in an 8-ounce cup of plain black coffee — there is almost nothing in it but water.
| Nutrient | Amount (per 8 oz) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ~2 cal | — |
| Carbohydrates | ~0 g | Trace |
| Protein | ~0.3 g | Trace |
| Fat | ~0 g | None |
| Caffeine | ~95 mg | Stimulant |
| Potassium | ~116 mg | ~2% DV |
| Sugar | 0 g | Unless added |
What add-ins cost in calories
Because black coffee is so light, every add-in matters. Here is roughly what common extras contribute:
| Add-in | Amount | Added calories |
|---|---|---|
| Whole milk | 2 tbsp | ~18 cal |
| Skim milk | 2 tbsp | ~10 cal |
| Half-and-half | 2 tbsp | ~40 cal |
| Heavy cream | 2 tbsp | ~100 cal |
| Sugar | 1 tsp | ~16 cal |
| Flavored syrup | 1 pump | ~20 cal |
| Whipped cream | 1 swirl | ~50–80 cal |
A coffee with a splash of milk and one sugar lands around 35–40 calories, while a creamy, double-sugar cup can exceed 70.
Calories in popular coffee drinks
| Drink (16 oz, whole milk) | Approx. calories |
|---|---|
| Cappuccino | ~120 cal |
| Latte | ~190 cal |
| Flat white | ~170 cal |
| Mocha (with syrup) | ~290 cal |
| Caramel macchiato | ~250 cal |
| Blended/frappe with whipped cream | ~400–500 cal |
Choosing skim or low-fat milk, skipping syrups, and going easy on whipped cream are the simplest ways to cut a milky coffee’s calories.
Coffee and fasting
Because black coffee is only about 2 calories, it is widely considered acceptable during intermittent fasting and will not meaningfully break a fast. The moment you add milk, cream, sugar or syrup, however, you introduce real calories that can break it. If you fast for metabolic reasons, keep your coffee black (or use water and plain tea).
Tips for keeping coffee low-calorie
- Drink it black or with just a splash of milk
- Swap whole milk or cream for skim or unsweetened plant milk
- Use cinnamon or vanilla extract for flavor without calories
- Cut back gradually on sugar to retrain your taste
- Treat blended, whipped specialty drinks as occasional desserts
In short, a cup of black coffee has only about 2 calories — the real calorie story depends entirely on what you stir into it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in a cup of black coffee?
A standard 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of plain black coffee has only about 2 calories. Brewed coffee is almost entirely water with trace amounts of dissolved compounds, so without any milk, cream or sugar it is essentially calorie-free. Espresso is similar, at roughly 1–3 calories per shot.
How many calories does coffee have with milk and sugar?
It depends on the amounts. Black coffee is about 2 calories; adding 2 tablespoons of whole milk adds about 18 calories, and each teaspoon of sugar adds about 16 calories. A typical coffee with a splash of milk and one sugar is roughly 35–40 calories, while a milky, double-sugar coffee can exceed 60–70 calories.
How many calories are in a latte or cappuccino?
A medium (16 oz) latte made with whole milk has about 190 calories, mostly from the milk. A cappuccino, which uses less milk and more foam, has about 120 calories at the same size. Using skim milk lowers these figures, while adding flavored syrups, whipped cream or extra sugar raises them significantly.
Does coffee break a fast?
Plain black coffee, at about 2 calories per cup, will not meaningfully break a fast and is generally considered acceptable during intermittent fasting. However, adding milk, cream, sugar or syrups introduces calories that can break a fast. If you fast for metabolic reasons, stick to black coffee, plain tea or water.
Which coffee drink has the most calories?
Blended, sweetened coffee drinks have the most calories. A large flavored frappe or blended coffee with syrup, whole milk and whipped cream can contain 400–500 calories or more — as much as a meal. Specialty seasonal drinks with extra sugar and toppings are typically the highest-calorie coffee options.
Sources
- FoodData Central — food composition database — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)