What is a dry measuring cup?

A dry measuring cup is a measuring cup used to measure dry, or non-liquid, cooking ingredients, such as sugar, oats or salt. A set of dry measuring cups typically includes cup sizes ranging from 1/4 cup to 1 cup.

A dry measuring cup's capacity should be measured at the top level, with ingredients filled completely to the top before being leveled using a straight object. To measure liquids for cooking, a liquid measuring cup should be used, as the measuring scales are slightly different. Accurate measurement is much more important when baking than with other types of cooking. Food scales can also be used to measure dry and liquid ingredients.