Stuck in the middle of a recipe with no measuring cups or spoons? Don’t panic—there are more ways to measure than you think. Whether you’re camping, staying at a rental kitchen, or just had everything disappear into the dishwasher, these creative hacks can help you keep cooking.
Here are 11 clever ways to measure common kitchen amounts using everyday objects and estimation tricks.
☕️ 1. Use a Standard Coffee Mug
Most mugs hold 8–10 oz. Fill one up and visually divide into halves or quarters. For example:
- Half full = ~1/2 cup
- 3/4 full = ~3/4 cup
- Just under full = ~1 cup
🧣 2. Drinkware with Ounce Markings
Wine glasses, shaker bottles, and baby bottles often have ounce lines on the side. Match the amount to common conversions:
- 8 oz = 1 cup
- 4 oz = 1/2 cup
- 2 oz = 1/4 cup
✊ 3. Use Your Hand
- Palm = 3 oz of meat
- Fist = ~1 cup
- Thumb = 1 tablespoon
- Tip of thumb = 1 teaspoon
Great for portion control and quick estimating on the go.
☕ 4. Use a Yogurt Cup or Applesauce Cup
Most single-serve yogurt and applesauce containers hold 4 oz—or exactly 1/2 cup.
Two of them? One cup. Use the empty container to scoop other ingredients.
🚜 5. Use a Baby Bottle
Not just for babies! Most baby bottles have precise volume markings in both ounces and milliliters. They’re perfect for measuring liquids like oil, water, or milk.
🍎 6. Compare with Eggs or Bananas
- 1 large egg = ~1/4 cup liquid
- 1 mashed banana = ~1/2 cup
Helpful when portioning for baking or comparing other foods.
🥐 7. Use a Tablespoon as a Mini Scoop
Even without a full spoon set, 1 tablespoon repeated 16 times = 1 cup. So:
- 8 tbsp = 1/2 cup
- 4 tbsp = 1/4 cup
⚡ 8. Reuse Food Cans or Jars
- Tomato paste cans often hold 6 oz
- Tuna cans = ~5 oz
- Baby food jars = ~4 oz
Wash and reuse them as makeshift scoops.
⚖️ 9. Use a Kitchen Scale
When in doubt, weigh it out. Just Google the weight equivalent (e.g., “1 cup flour = 120g”) and measure with a food scale.
🪨 10. Visualize Common Objects
- Tennis ball = 1/2 cup
- Golf ball = 1/4 cup
- Deck of cards = 3 oz of meat
These are good for eyeballing quick portions.
🧺 11. Use Measuring Beakers or Funnels
If you have a science kit or funnel with markings, those ml or oz lines are great for measuring liquids.
Final Thoughts
Measuring doesn’t have to be precise to be practical. With a little creativity and some household hacks, you can confidently continue cooking—even if your measuring tools have gone MIA.
Also check out:
- How to Measure 3/4 Cup Without a Measuring Cup
- Kitchen Measurement Conversion Chart (Printable)
- Why Measuring by Weight Is More Accurate Than Volume
Anne James—lovingly known as Jelly Grandma—is a professional canner, seasoned home cook, and lifelong preserver of traditional Southern skills. With over 55 years of hands-on experience in canning, gardening, cooking, and quilting, Anne brings generations of wisdom to every guide she writes.
Featured in both local media and by national brands like Hershey, Anne now shares her knowledge through PreservingSweetness.com and her YouTube channel, helping others rediscover the “old ways” of living well and making things from scratch.