This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
This post on how to measure Ingredients was a long time coming! When it comes to baking, accuracy is everything and could mean the difference between success or failure in a recipe.
Watch the video below and learn how to accurately measure all kinds of dry and liquid ingredients so you can bake and cook like a pro.
We’re sharing all of our tips and tricks with you. Some of these ideas will surprise you!.
Watch the Video Tutorial on How to Measure Ingredients:
Our Favorite Measuring Tools:
Here are our Amazon affiliate links to all of our favorite measuring tools (as seen in this video):
Dry Ingredient Measuring Cups
Wet Ingredient Glass Measuring Cups (with pour spout)
Measuring Spoons (2-sided, magnetic)
Digital OXO Kitchen Scale
OXO Storage Containers
Progressive Flour Bin
Progressive Brown Sugar Bin (clay disk keeps sugar moist)
Avocado Oil Cooking Spray
Converting US Measurements to Grams:
Most baking ingredients in the US are measured in cups, oz, lbs, Tbsp, etc. so if you are looking for a good chart to convert ingredients, this conversion chart from King Arthur Flour is my usual go-to source for quick conversions to and from grams.
If you have a kitchen scale and a recipe provides the measurements in grams, by all means weigh those ingredients for best results. Just be sure to zero the bowl before adding the ingredient.
Looking to improve your cooking skills this year? Click to explore our How-To section with all of our cooking tutorials.
Print-Friendly Reference on How to Measure:
How to Measure Ingredients (Wet and Dry)
Ingredients
Tools For Measuring:
- Dry Ingredient Measuring Cups
- Wet Ingredient Measuring Cups, with pour spout
- Measuring Spoons
- Digital Kitchen Scale
Instructions
Measuring with Dry Ingredients Cups:
- Used for anything that does not level itself.
- Spoon the ingredient into the measuring cup and level off the top with a straight edge.
- To measure packed brown sugar, push the sugar into the cup with your hand. It is packed correctly when you turn it out onto a plate and it keeps the shape of the measuring cup.
Measuring with Wet Ingredients Cups (with pour spout):
- Used for ingredients that level themselves
- Set the cup on a flat surface and get down to the level of the measuring cup to visualize the fill line.
- When measuring sticky ingredients (honey, molasses, corn syrup), lightly spray the measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray so they don't stick to the cup and pour easily with little waste.
How to Use Measuring spoons:
- Pour liquid ingredients to the top of the measuring spoon.
- Dip spoon into spice containers then level off the top with a straight edge for an accurate measure.
How to Use a Digital Kitchen Scale
- Used when exact measures are required (i.e. almond flour for macarons, chocolate, fruit)
- Turn the scale on, place an empty bowl in the center of the scale and click "zero" or "tare" to zero out the scale so you aren't including the weight of your bowl. Add your ingredients to the bowl until desired weight displays on the screen.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Q: Did any of these measuring tips surprise you? Let me know if you learned something new 😀
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
what if u dont have a liquid measuring cup, could i use the dry ingredient measuring cups?
Hi K, if you don’t have a liquid measuring cup, the alternative will be to use a kitchen scale. One cup is eight ounces, so one cup of water—or a cup of liquid with roughly equal density—will weigh approximately eight ounces, again depending on the liquid. I hope this helps!
When measuring flour, I get confused. Do you measure 1 cup before sifting or is it sift first and measure 1 cup for several cake recipes I use.
Hi Gloria, sifting the flour is not necessary unless a recipe specifically asks for this. I give my flour a little stir to fluff it up and then spoon it into a cup. If a recipe calls for sifted flour then you would sift and measure it our afterward.
Thank you. I print my tips out and tape them to the inside of cabinet doors for reminders.
That is a great idea!
This video was excellent! I got some great pointers which proves you are never to old to learn.
Yes, of course! I’m so glad you learned some new tricks!
This is a very useful post. among other things, I didn’t know you are supposed to get down to the level of the measuring cup to visualize the fill line. I had heard about using something to level dry ingredients but didn’t know putting a cup into flour yielded much more than using a spoon. Thanks!
I’m so glad this was helpful!
Drives me crazy when i see cooks on tv all measure flour incorrectly by scooping flour with the measuring cup into the flour canister! Natasha thank you for teaching me the correct way to measure!!!
You are welcome, Susan. It is my pleasure!
Are you able to correct a typo in your instructions for measuring wet ingredients?
“When measuring stick ingredients” ~ I believe you mean “sticky” 🙂
fixed! thank you so much for letting me know.
Where can I order the measuring spoons? I must have missed it.
Hi Donna, you can find our favorite kitchen tools in our Amazon Affiliate Shop HERE.
How do you measure butter when it asks for soften butter?
I measure based on what the package states. Most packages of butter are 113 grams or 1/2 cup or 8 Tbsp of butter.
Natasha,Please let me know if recipes calling for 4 tbsp of butter can I use scale and change for grams
Hi Grace, you may refer to this Ingredient Weight chart that I use when I want to convert some ingredients.
How is the best way to measure dry pasta like spagetti noodles?
Hi Lori, that is usually measured by weight so a kitchen scale is the best way. Most recipes will tell you pasta in ounces or a weight measurement.
I just finished seeing your video on measuring and I learned I have been measuring flour wrong my whole life and I am 66yrs. old. 🙄
Thanks for the wonderful video to watch, I am looking forward to using this simple but very important tip combined with one of your recipes. Thanks again.
I’m so glad this video was helpful, Gary! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi Natasha, I live in Australia and all our gas markings are in Celsius – Could you let me know what is 375f in celsius please??
Thanks,
Hi, if you type in “convert Fahrenheit to celsius” it gives you a quick box you can input in the temperature and it will convert it for you. In this case, it is 190˚Celcius
Wonderful to see this great resource, Natasha!
Some people are asking about sifting and sizes of cups. My advice — follow what the recipe author does or imagine when and where the recipe was written. While I mostly stick to recipe sources like Natasha’s that give clear measuring standards, I’ve noticed that while some do not use metric, they may state their measuring standard. My old Fannie Farmer cookbook had a chart showing its cup of flour = 5 ounces, which is more than I’m used to (since I learned to bake mostly through King Arthur recipes) and I think Cook’s Country also uses the dip-then-sweep method.
If I want to replicate my grandma’s baking that she learned in the olden days, I sift flour into the measuring cup the way she did.
Just when I got myself sorted with baking and memorized some basic conversions, I wandered into the world of rice cooker recipes and not only is a cup of rice a bit different (more like 6 oz, but depends on the rice), then yet another cup exists if you really like the pre-washed rice, lol. And don’t get me started on water to rice ratio, soaking, and adjusting measurements for wash/soaking, the ratio for all the different grains …
Thanks for sharing some info with us too! We appreciate your input.
I never used a weight scale,
Will have to get one.
Thank for the tips.
👍🏾
You’re welcome, Cozette! THank you for watching my video!
Dear Natasha:
Thank you for sharing your “how to measure ingredients accurately” video. When it comes to baking, all ingredients must be measured accurately and properly. If not measured properly, the end product will be a flop.
Once again, thank you Natasha.
You’re exactly right, Sandy! I’m glad this video was helpful!
Thank you Natasha, It is very helpful.
You are so welcome!
How best is it to measure a cup of butter? Must it be compacted into the cup?
Hi Sheila, butter packaging is marked on the wrapper with measurements, so we use that. One stick of butter = 1/2 cup. For a cup, you will need two sticks of butter.
What if it is not marked?
Hey Pk, if your packaging is not marked, you can measure it in a measuring cup or by weight.
I have tried so many of your recipes, Now i’m going to try the pie crus recipe. I just made the chicken pot pie filling. I didn’t have peas so I added red pepper and a small amount of broccoli. I’ll let you know how it tastes. I used better than bullion chicken broth diluted in hot water. low salt . it made such a tasty difference. I would love side veggie dishes. sometimes I just want veggies. and how to do zoodles. thanks.
Please share with us how it goes, I hope it becomes your new favorite!
Hello Natasha. What size are your measuring cups. My 1 cup is 250ml which is metric. Is this what you use or do you use US cups. What happens if I use my 250 ml cups for the entire recipe. I’m looking at you Kulich recipe.
Hi Katya, American 1 cup is 240ml.
I love your recipes and tips and tricks!! I just saw on one of your recipes that you can convert it to metric, which is amazing!! I’ve bought a kitchen scale to help with exact measurements.
Thank you!
You’re welcome! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.