What is the difference in dry measuring cups versus wet measuring cups?

Answer 1

Yes there is a difference and the difference is that the line for the liquid cup is under the the top of the cup. For the dry measuring cup the line is the top of the cup. So because of the there is about a 16% difference, the liquid measuring cup being larger.

Answer 2

"They are physically the same size.

You can use the same "1 cup" measuring cup to measure dry or liquid goods."

According to other sites (I was researching this same question) there are indeed two different types. The "liquid" cups have a line or mark on the inside, below the rim, so that you don't need to handle a brimming cup. Not knowing this, and filling a "liquid" cup to the rim, would result in too much of the liquid being used.

As for measuring a dry ingredient in a "liquid" cup, since it's not possible to use the back of a knife to level the contents at this line below the rim, it would be more difficult to get an accurate measurement.

If you have only a "dry" cup, it can certainly be used for liquid, you just need to have a steady hand. I have never seen a set of liquid cups*; since I can still move a brimming cup from counter to mixing bowl without spilling, I don't plan to hunt down a set of them.

*Yesterday I asked at a Sur le Table store about this, and the young clerk was not aware of this. Thank God for the web!

To summarize, they are NOT physically the same size, but used as intended either will measure identical amounts of liquid. The liquid cups are NOT handy for accurately measuring a dry ingredient.