Measuring Cups and Spoons

A measuring cup is a kitchen gadget used primarily to measure the volume of liquid or bulk solid cooking ingredients such as flour and sugar, especially for volumes from about 50 mL (2 fl oz) upwards. The cup will usually have a scale marked in cups and fractions of a cup, and often with fluid measure and weight of a selection of dry foodstuffs.
Measuring cups may be made of plastic, glass, metal and even Progressive Collapsible .

Most chefs' will tell you that you need to measure accurately. If you are an experienced baker or cook, you most likely have learned when accuracy is important.   I myself have found only a few cases where accuracy is important.  There is also a difference between dry measure and liquid.  When using a Measuring Cup , keep in mind that these types of measuring cups tend to be most accurate when used to measure amounts that are close to their maximum capacity. Just try to pour one cup liquid into a one cup dry measuring cup, it may run over.
Measuring Dry Ingredients
You should use nested graduated measuring cups to measure dry ingredients like flour, sugar, oatmeal, and cocoa. Dry measuring cups are designed so that they can be leveled off by sweeping a straight edge, like the back of a knife, across the top.
Here are a couple more things to keep in mind when measuring dry ingredients:
1. Brown sugar tends to hold a lot of air between its sugar crystals and that air needs to be squeezed out in order to get an accurate measurement. For this reason, brown sugar is 'packed' when it's measured. Fill the measuring cup and pack it down and refill until the cup is level.
2. Butter and margarine should be measured based on the markings lines shown on the sides of the paper wrapping.
3. Semi-solid foods such as peanut butter, sour cream, mayonnaise and shortening should be packed into measuring cups to remove all air bubbles until they are level with the top of the cup. An easier way to measure these types of ingredients is to use a plunger style measuring cup
Measuring Liquid Ingredients
Liquid ingredients should be measured in a clear liquid measuring cup with a pour spout. These types of measuring cups are typically made of plastic or glass and have extra room at the top for the liquid to slosh around.
For accuracy, place the measuring cup on a level surface. Then, assuming that you're using traditional glass or plastic measuring cup, bend to view the cup at eye level as you pour the liquid ingredient into the cup to the point where the surface of the liquid against the side of the cup matches the line on the cup indicating the amount to be measured.

A measuring spoon is a spoon kitchen gadget used to measure an amount of an ingredient, either liquid or dry, when cooking. Measuring Spoon may be made of plastic , metal,  or other materials. They are available in many sizes, including teaspoon and tablespoon. In the U.S., a measuring spoon is typically sold in a set of various number of pieces, especially four or six. This usually includes ¼, ½, and 1 teaspoons and 1 tablespoon.  There are several different kinds available. Decorative Measuring Spoons , Adjustable and practical.  By all means, don't use your flatware (teaspoon or tablespoon) as a substitute for measuring spoons.  As these very in size so will make the measurement inaccurate.

Measuring cups are also used to measure washing powder, liquid detergents or bleach, usually with a measuring cup not also used for food.