Measuring Liquid (Wet) Ingredients T o measure liquids, place an appropriately sized liquid measuring cup on a flat, stable surface (don't just hold it in your hand!). Pour in your liquid until it is just under the line. Squat or bend down so that your eye is exactly level with the graduation. You'll probably notice that the top surface of the liquid is not perfectly flat—it kind of climbs up the walls of the container around the edges. This is due to surface tension and the shape of that top surface of the liquid is called a meniscus . In order to measure accurately, slowly add liquid until the bottom of the meniscus is perfectly level with the graduation on the cup. Source: Serious Eats