When choosing a daily beverage, calories matter more than most people realize. Coffee and tea are among the most consumed drinks worldwide, yet many people still ask: coffee vs tea calories – which one is lower?
This guide breaks down calories in coffee vs tea, compares popular variations, and explains how additives like milk and sugar dramatically change calorie counts.
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Coffee Calories: The Complete Guide to Calories in Every Type of Coffee
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Iced Drink Calories: The Complete Guide to Calories in Iced Drinks (2026 Update)
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Does Tea Have Caffeine? Tips for Lowering Caffeine in Your Tea
Coffee vs Tea Calories: Quick Overview
At their simplest, both coffee and tea are extremely low-calorie beverages.
| Beverage (8 oz / 240 ml) | Calories |
|---|---|
| Black coffee | 0–2 calories |
| Black tea | 0–2 calories |
| Green tea | 0 calories |
| Herbal tea | 0 calories |
The real calorie difference comes from what you add, not the drink itself.
How Many Calories Are in Coffee?
Black Coffee Calories
Plain brewed coffee contains:
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0–2 calories per cup
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No sugar, fat, or carbohydrates
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Almost calorie-free and fasting-friendly
Black coffee calories remain negligible whether it’s:
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Drip coffee
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Espresso
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Cold brew
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French press
Calories in Coffee With Milk and Sugar
Once additives are introduced, coffee calories increase quickly.
| Coffee Type | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Coffee with 1 tsp sugar | 16 calories |
| Coffee with whole milk | 30–50 calories |
| Latte (whole milk) | 120–190 calories |
| Cappuccino | 80–120 calories |
| Mocha | 250–350 calories |
Coffee with milk calories and coffee with sugar calories are among the biggest contributors to hidden daily calorie intake.
How Many Calories Are in Tea?
Plain Tea Calories
All unsweetened teas are virtually calorie-free:
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Black tea calories: 0–2
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Green tea calories: 0
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Oolong tea calories: 0–2
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Herbal tea calories: 0
This makes tea one of the lowest calorie drinks available.
Calories in Tea With Additives
Tea remains low-calorie until sweeteners or milk are added.
| Tea Type | Calories |
|---|---|
| Tea with 1 tsp sugar | 16 calories |
| Tea with milk | 30–60 calories |
| Chai tea latte | 180–300 calories |
| Sweetened iced tea | 90–150 calories |
| Bubble tea | 250–500+ calories |
Milk tea calories and bubble tea calorie count often exceed specialty coffee drinks.
Coffee vs Tea Calories: Side-by-Side Comparison
Plain Coffee vs Plain Tea
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Calories in black coffee vs tea are nearly identical
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Both contain close to zero calories
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Ideal for calorie-conscious diets
Coffee vs Tea With Milk and Sugar
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Coffee drinks tend to use more dairy
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Tea drinks often contain more sugar
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Total calories depend on ingredients and portion size
There is no clear winner once additives are involved.
Coffee vs Tea Calories for Weight Loss
Which Is Better for Weight Loss: Coffee or Tea?
Both can support weight loss when consumed plain.
Black coffee
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Zero calories
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Higher caffeine content
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May boost metabolism
Green tea
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Zero calories
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Contains catechins that support fat oxidation
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Lower caffeine, gentler stimulation
The best choice is unsweetened coffee or tea.
Calories vs Caffeine: Does Caffeine Burn Calories?
Caffeine contains zero calories but may:
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Increase thermogenesis
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Enhance fat oxidation
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Improve exercise performance
Average caffeine content
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Espresso: ~63 mg
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Black coffee: ~95 mg
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Black tea: ~40–50 mg
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Green tea: ~30–40 mg
Caffeine may slightly increase calorie burn, but additives eliminate this advantage.
Do Coffee or Tea Break a Fast?
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Black coffee does not break a fast
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Plain tea does not break a fast
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Milk, sugar, honey, and cream will break a fast
This explains why black coffee vs tea calories is a common question among intermittent fasting followers.
Nutritional Comparison Beyond Calories
| Nutrient | Coffee | Tea |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Very low | Very low |
| Antioxidants | High | Very high |
| Sugar | 0 | 0 |
| Fat | 0 | 0 |
| Carbohydrates | 0 | 0 |
Both beverages provide health benefits without adding calories when consumed plain.
FAQs: Coffee vs Tea Calories
Which has more calories, coffee or tea?
Neither. Plain coffee and tea both contain almost zero calories.
Is tea lower in calories than coffee?
Only if both are unsweetened. Added ingredients change calorie content.
How many calories are in coffee with milk?
Between 30 and 50 calories, depending on the type of milk.
How many calories are in tea with sugar?
Approximately 16 calories per teaspoon of sugar.
Is green tea better than coffee for weight loss?
Both can help. Green tea offers gentler stimulation, while coffee provides stronger metabolic effects.
Do herbal teas have calories?
Most herbal teas contain zero calories.
Conclusion
When consumed plain, coffee and tea are:
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Nearly calorie-free
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Suitable for weight management
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Compatible with low-calorie and fasting diets
Calories increase rapidly when milk, sugar, syrups, or creamers are added.
The healthiest low-calorie choices remain black coffee and unsweetened tea.
