Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. But if you’re watching your diet, trying to lose weight, or simply becoming more health-conscious, one question keeps coming up: how many calories are in coffee?
The answer depends heavily on how your coffee is prepared, what you add to it, and where you buy it. This guide breaks down coffee calories by type, from black coffee to specialty drinks, so you can make smarter choices without giving up your daily cup.
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What Is Black Coffee? Flavor, Nutrition, and Health Benefits Explained
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Bulletproof Coffee: Benefits, Risks & How to Make It
What Are Coffee Calories?
Coffee calories refer to the total energy content in a cup of coffee, measured in calories (kcal).
Plain coffee itself contains almost no calories, but milk, sugar, creamers, syrups, and toppings can quickly turn coffee into a high-calorie drink.
Key takeaway: Coffee calories come mainly from add-ins, not coffee beans.
How Many Calories Are in Coffee?
Average Coffee Calories per Cup
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Black coffee (8 oz): 2–5 calories
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Coffee with milk: 30–100+ calories
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Sweetened or flavored coffee: 150–400+ calories
Portion size also matters. A 16 oz or 20 oz coffee from a café can contain double or triple the calories of a home-brewed cup.
Calories in Black Coffee
Black coffee is one of the lowest-calorie beverages you can drink.
Black Coffee Calories by Type
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Brewed coffee calories: ~2 calories per cup
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Drip coffee calories: ~2–5 calories
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Americano calories: ~5 calories
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Espresso calories (single shot): ~3 calories
Does black coffee have calories? Yes, but they’re so minimal that black coffee is often considered zero-calorie for dieting purposes.
Calories in Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks
Espresso drinks become calorie-dense mainly due to milk and flavorings.
Common Espresso Drinks & Calories
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Espresso (double shot): ~5–10 calories
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Latte calories: 120–250 calories
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Cappuccino calories: 90–150 calories
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Flat white calories: 150–220 calories
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Mocha coffee calories: 250–400 calories
Among these, mocha and flavored lattes are typically the highest in calories.
Calories in Coffee with Milk
Milk significantly increases coffee calories.
Coffee Calories by Milk Type
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Whole milk coffee calories: ~150 calories
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2% milk coffee calories: ~120 calories
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Skim milk coffee calories: ~90 calories
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Coffee with cream calories: 200+ calories
Even without sugar, milk-based coffee is no longer low-calorie.
Calories in Flavored and Sweetened Coffee
Sugar and syrups are the biggest calorie contributors.
Sweetened Coffee Calories
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Coffee with sugar: +16 calories per teaspoon
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Vanilla coffee calories: 200–300 calories
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Caramel coffee calories: 250–400 calories
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Hazelnut coffee calories: 200+ calories
One flavored coffee can contain as many calories as a full meal.
Calories in Iced Coffee and Cold Brew
Iced Coffee Calories
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Plain iced coffee: ~5 calories
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Iced coffee with milk: 80–150 calories
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Iced coffee with sugar: 150–300 calories
Cold Brew Coffee Calories
Cold brew itself is low-calorie, but café versions often include sweetened milk or syrups, raising total calories quickly.
Calories in Popular Coffee Shop Drinks
Starbucks Coffee Calories (Examples)
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Black coffee: ~5 calories
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Caffè Latte: ~190 calories
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Caramel Frappuccino: 400+ calories
Chain coffee drinks are often hidden calorie bombs, especially blended beverages.
Calories in Specialty Coffee Drinks
Some trendy coffee drinks are extremely calorie-dense.
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Frappuccino calories: 350–500+
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Frappe coffee calories: 300–450
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Bulletproof coffee calories: 300–500
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Vietnamese coffee calories: 200–350
Bulletproof coffee, despite its popularity, is very high in fat and calories.
Coffee Calories Comparison (Low vs High)
Lowest-Calorie Coffee Options
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Black coffee
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Americano
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Espresso
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Cold brew (unsweetened)
Highest-Calorie Coffee Drinks
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Frappuccino
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Mocha with whipped cream
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Coffee with heavy cream and syrup
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Butter coffee
Is Coffee High in Calories?
Plain coffee is not high in calories.
However, coffee becomes high-calorie when combined with:
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Sugar
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Cream
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Flavored syrups
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Whipped toppings
👉 Coffee itself does not cause weight gain extras do.
Coffee Calories and Weight Loss
Best Coffee for Weight Loss
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Black coffee
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Americano
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Coffee with almond milk (unsweetened)
Can You Drink Coffee on a Diet?
Yes. Coffee can:
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Help suppress appetite
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Boost metabolism
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Support fat burning (when unsweetened)
Coffee Calories for Keto & Intermittent Fasting
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Black coffee is keto-friendly
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Sweetened coffee breaks a fast
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Bulletproof coffee is high-fat but calorie-heavy
How to Reduce Calories in Coffee
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Choose black coffee or Americano
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Use sugar-free syrups
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Switch to almond or oat milk (unsweetened)
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Skip whipped cream
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Control portion size
Small changes can cut hundreds of calories per cup.
Coffee Nutrition Beyond Calories
Besides calories, coffee contains:
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Caffeine (boosts alertness)
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Antioxidants
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Minimal carbs, fat, and protein (black coffee)
Coffee has nutritional value but only when not overloaded with sugar and fat.
FAQs About Coffee Calories
How many calories are in a cup of coffee?
A plain cup has about 2–5 calories.
Does black coffee have calories?
Yes, but very few.
Is coffee fattening?
Not by itself. Add-ins make it fattening.
Which coffee has the least calories?
Black coffee or Americano.
Does coffee break a fast?
Black coffee does not. Sweetened coffee does.
Final Thoughts on Coffee Calories
Coffee can be one of the healthiest, lowest-calorie drinks or one of the most calorie-dense beverages depending on how it’s prepared.
If you care about calories:
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Keep it simple
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Avoid sugar-heavy drinks
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Read café nutrition labels carefully
Your daily coffee habit doesn’t need to work against your health goals.
