Why is gelato softer than ice cream?

It's stored and served warmer, closer to soft than rock hard. That, plus less air, makes it dense and stretchy instead of firm.

Is gelato just Italian for ice cream?

Literally, gelato means frozen, and Italians use it for all of it. In the US, the word signals the denser, milkier style.

Gelato vs ice cream: what's the difference?

Gelato uses more milk and less cream than ice cream, is churned slower so less air gets in, and is served warmer, so it tastes denser and more intense.

Gelato

Very light

Indulgent

Subtle

Big punch

Mellow

Zingy

Dense, silky and intense, with flavors that hit right away.

Ice cream

Very light

Indulgent

Subtle

Big punch

Mellow

Zingy

Creamier, colder and lighter, with more air whipped in.

The real difference

Gelato leans on milk with less cream and often fewer egg yolks, and it's churned slowly, so it's dense instead of fluffy. It's kept a few degrees warmer, which makes it soft and lets flavors come through faster. American ice cream has more cream and more air, so it's richer but milder.

Side by side

GelatoIce cream

BaseMore milk, less creamMore cream, often egg yolks

TextureDense, silky, stretchyLight, creamy, scoopable

ServedSofter, a little warmer, with a flat spadeColder, in round scoops

FlavorsPistachio, hazelnut, stracciatella, fruitVanilla, chocolate, loaded mix-ins

Which to order

Order gelato if you want a small, intense hit of flavor.
Order ice cream if you want something creamy and classic, sundae style.

Quick questions

Why is gelato softer than ice cream?: It's stored and served warmer, closer to soft than rock hard. That, plus less air, makes it dense and stretchy instead of firm.
Is gelato just Italian for ice cream?: Literally, gelato means frozen, and Italians use it for all of it. In the US, the word signals the denser, milkier style.