Fill to the Line: How to Measure Liquids

Get to know your jug

A measuring jug shows how much space a liquid takes up. That is called volume. In many UK recipes you will see millilitres, shortened to ml, or litres, shortened to l. There are 1,000 ml in 1 litre, so 500 ml is half a litre.

Some jugs show several sets of markings. Find the millilitre scale together before you pour. The little lines between the big numbers matter: on one jug each small step might represent 25 ml; on another it might mean 50 ml. Your adult can help you work out the gap.

Choose the right tool

Use a jug with a clearly marked line for the amount you need. A large jug with widely spaced markings is difficult to use for a tiny quantity. For a teaspoon or tablespoon of liquid, choose a labelled measuring spoon instead.

This practice uses cool water, so you can repeat it without wasting ingredients. When you move on to a recipe, read which liquid is needed. Milk, oil and water may look different in a jug, but they can all be measured by volume when the recipe asks for ml.

Pour, pause and check

1. Put the empty jug on a stable, level work surface. Check that it is clean and that you can see the markings. Keep the handle easy to reach.
2. Find your target line before you start. Say it aloud: for example, ‘I need 100 ml.’ Make sure 100 ml is actually marked clearly on your jug.
3. Pour from a small pitcher that you can comfortably control. Begin slowly. As the level approaches your target, reduce the flow to a little trickle.
4. Stop pouring and let the liquid settle. Leave the jug on the work surface and read it at eye level. Ask your adult to choose a stable table at a comfortable height, or to check the reading for you. Keep your feet on the floor; never climb onto a chair or worktop to see the line. Looking down from above can give a misleading reading.
5. With water, the surface may curve slightly at the sides. Read the bottom of that curve against the mark. Your adult can show you this up close.
6. If you need more, add a little and check again. If you have too much, pour a small amount into the spare bowl and recheck. Do not try to correct an overshoot by guessing while the jug is in mid-air.

Measure a spoonful

For a small quantity, hold the correct measuring spoon level over a clean spare bowl. Fill it carefully to its rim without overflowing, then add it to the recipe. A metric teaspoon holds 5 ml and a metric tablespoon holds 15 ml. These numbers describe volume, not the weight of every ingredient.

Little problems, simple fixes

• The jug tilts: put it down before reading the level. A tilted surface changes the reading.
• There are lots of bubbles: pause and allow them to settle before checking.
• You keep overshooting: use a smaller pouring cup and stop just before the target, then add tiny amounts.
• The markings are unclear: choose a different jug with your adult instead of guessing.

Use what you measure

Pour a measured recipe ingredient into the mixing bowl only after checking it. Keep any clean surplus separate for your adult to use; do not pour unused milk back into its carton. Wipe up splashes promptly so your work area stays dry and comfortable.