Pasta Almanac

The difference

Spaghettini vs Capellini

Both are fine round strands, but capellini, angel hair, is finer still, under a millimeter across, while spaghettini is a thin spaghetti. Capellini wants the lightest broth or oil and cooks in a minute, spaghettini takes a slightly fuller sauce.

Gouache illustration of Spaghettini

Spaghettini

Family
Long strands
Size
255 to 300 mm long
Surface
Smooth
Cook
6 to 9 min

Wants: Garlic and oil, Clams, Tomato sauce

Gouache illustration of Capellini

Capellini

Family
Long strands
Size
0.85 to 0.92 mm across
Surface
Smooth
Cook
2 to 4 min

Wants: Garlic and oil, Butter and sage, Tomato sauce

Compare more shapes, or look up Spaghettini and Capellini in full.