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Measuring cups and spoons for blind and low vision cooks use large print, high-contrast colors, or raised braille and tactile markings so the size can be read by sight or by touch instead of squinting at thin etched lines.
Part of our Adaptive Daily Living series, which covers tools that make everyday tasks easier to do independently.
Standard measuring sets are hard to read even for people with mild vision loss. The markings are small, silver on silver, and often worn off after a few trips through the dishwasher. I looked through specialty retailer catalogs and organization resources to sort the accessible options by how you actually read them, and picked five that cover the real range of needs.
Here’s what I’m covering below:
- Large print vs. high contrast vs. braille: which one fits which person
- A quick comparison of the five picks
- Full reviews with who each is best for
- Who else benefits
- How to choose
- Answers to common questions
I haven’t tested these myself. This is research from retailer listings, specs and blindness-organization guidance, so check current listings before you buy.
Quick Comparison
| Product | How You Read It | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Large Print Measuring Cups & Spoons, 8-Piece Set (Black) | Large print, high contrast | Best everyday set for low vision |
| EZ Large Print Measuring Cup and Spoon 11-Piece Set | Large print | Best for a fuller kitchen set |
| Braille Measuring Cups and Spoons Set | Braille and raised tactile | Best for fully blind cooks |
| Bold Line Liquid Measurer (1, 2 or 4 Cup) | Bold printed lines | Best for liquids |
| OXO Measuring Cup and Spoon Set (SoftWorks) | High-contrast markings, soft grip | Best for comfort and a mainstream look |
What Actually Matters
- Match the reading method to the vision. Large print works if you still see shapes and high-contrast text. Braille and raised markings suit people who read by touch. Not every blind cook reads braille, so tactile sizing (different shaped or sized cups you can tell apart by hand) matters as well.
- Dry and liquid are different jobs. Dry ingredients need cups you can level off. Liquids need a clear-sided measurer with bold lines you can see from above, or a liquid level indicator if you can’t see the line at all.
- Contrast beats size. Black text on white, or white on black, reads better than large text in a low-contrast color.
- Price doesn’t track usefulness. Specialty retailers list large print sets from about $3 to $9 and braille sets from about $10 to $19. The cheapest large print set is often the right one for someone with some sight.
- Printed markings can wear. Molded or raised markings last longer than printed ones.
The 5 Best Measuring Cups and Spoons for Blind and Low Vision
1. Large Print Measuring Cups & Spoons, 8-Piece Set (Black)
Price range: $ | Reading method: Large print, high contrast
This is the one I’d start with if you still have some sight. Big numbers on a contrasting color make each size readable at a glance without lifting the cup to the light.
Why it’s a top pick: Low cost, simple, and readable for most people with low vision.
Best for: Cooks with low vision who want an affordable, no-learning-curve set.
2. EZ Large Print Measuring Cup and Spoon 11-Piece Set
Price range: $ | Reading method: Large print
A larger set that adds extra sizes to the basics, so you aren’t stopping mid-recipe to improvise with a size you don’t own.
Why it’s a top pick: More pieces for about the same money, covering more recipes.
Best for: Anyone outfitting a kitchen from scratch.
3. Braille Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Price range: $$ | Reading method: Braille and raised tactile markings
Sets with braille and raised markings let a blind cook identify each size by touch. They come in several colors, which helps people who combine touch with whatever sight they have.
Why it’s a top pick: The only option on this list a fully blind cook can read independently.
Best for: Blind cooks who read braille, or anyone who prefers to identify sizes by touch.
4. Bold Line Liquid Measurer (1, 2 or 4 Cup)
Price range: $ | Reading method: Bold printed lines
Liquid measuring is where most people with low vision struggle, because you read the line from the side. Bold lines make the level easier to find.
Why it’s a top pick: Fixes the hardest measuring task for low vision cooks at very low cost.
Best for: Measuring water, milk, oil and broth.
5. OXO Measuring Cup and Spoon Set (SoftWorks)
Price range: $$ | Reading method: High-contrast markings, soft grip
A mainstream brand with clearer markings and comfortable handles. It doesn’t look like a medical aid, which some people prefer.
Why it’s a top pick: Readable markings and a grip that’s easier on sore hands.
Best for: Cooks with mild vision loss or arthritis who want a set that blends in.
Who Else Benefits
- Older adults whose eyesight has changed but who don’t think of themselves as having low vision
- People with arthritis, who benefit from easy-grip handles
- Anyone cooking in dim light
- Caregivers setting up a safer kitchen
How to Choose
- Some sight: start with a large print set (picks 1 or 2).
- No usable sight: a braille or tactile set (pick 3), plus a liquid level indicator for pouring.
- Liquids give you trouble: add the bold line liquid measurer (pick 4).
- Sore hands: look at the OXO set (pick 5).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best measuring cups for someone with low vision?
Sets with large, high-contrast printed numbers are the best fit for most people with low vision. Black print on white, or the reverse, is easier to read than thin etched markings on metal.
Do braille measuring cups exist?
Yes. Several sets mark each size with braille and raised dots so a blind cook can identify them by touch.
How can a blind person measure liquids?
Many use measuring cups with fixed sizes they fill to the brim, or a liquid level indicator that beeps or vibrates when the liquid reaches the sensor.
Are large print measuring spoons expensive?
No. Specialty retailers list large print sets from roughly $3 to $9, so they cost little more than standard sets.
Can I use regular measuring cups if I mark them?
Yes. Bump dots or raised tape can mark standard cups, though purpose-made sets are more durable and easier to read.
Final Thoughts
Pick the set that matches how you read: large print for some sight, braille or tactile for none, and a bold line measurer for liquids. For more cooking techniques from people who cook without sight, see the National Federation of the Blind’s cooking techniques guide.
If you’re building out an accessible kitchen, pair these with a talking kitchen scale and a liquid level indicator.