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This DIY Way to Level a Shelf Only Needs a Measuring Cup

If you’re hanging a shelf and don’t have a level handy, there’s a really simple DIY trick to get it right. All you need is a measuring cup from the kitchen.

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If you’re hanging a shelf and don’t have a level handy, there’s a really simple DIY trick to get it right. All you need is a measuring cup from the kitchen.

Whether you’re installing a new shelf or adjusting an existing one, making it perfectly level is important. A properly leveled shelf is more stable and less likely to wobble or sag, providing a secure surface for your items.

Measuring cup on shelfPin

 

Plus, an uneven shelf can make a whole room look bad. And items on an uneven shelf may slide or roll off, which defeats the whole purpose of a shelf.

Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a level to do it. I learned this trick from a professional contractor who assured me it would work as well as using a level.

Some of this may seem really obvious to you once you start reading it, but I’m going to go through it step by step anyway.

Supplies Needed

To level a shelf using this method, you’ll need the following supplies:

  1. A cup or small container filled with water
  2. A pencil

The Measuring Cup Method of Leveling

Follow these simple steps to level a shelf using a cup of water:

1. Place the Shelf

Brace the shelf against the wall a couple of inches below where you want it.

2. Place the Measuring Cup

Take a measuring cup, fill it to the halfway point with water and set it on the middle of the shelf.

3. Identify the High and Low Sides

Look at the cup of water on the shelf and observe where the water settles. The side of the shelf where the water gathers is the low side, and the opposite side is the high side.

4. Adjust the Shelf Supports

If the shelf is adjustable, locate the supports or brackets that hold the shelf in place. Gently raise or lower the supports on the high side of the shelf to bring the water closer to level.

5. Check the Level

After making your adjustments, check if the water in the measuring cup is now level. If not, repeat step 2 until the shelf is perfectly balanced.

6. Mark the Adjustments

When the water is level with the line on the cup, use a pencil to draw lightly on the wall to either side of the cup, at the water level. This is why you placed the shelf a couple of inches lower than you want it – the water line should be where you actually want the shelf to go.

7. Make More Dots

Move the glass along the shelf, keeping the water level, and make some more dots or small lines with your pencil until you’ve mapped out the whole area where the shelf will hang. Now you can use a ruler to draw a line all the way across.

8. Working with Brackets

To locate where to hammer or drill in the brackets, set the shelf on the floor and attach the brackets in the same position they will be when attached. If you can, bring the shelf with the brackets up to the line on the wall and use your pencil to sketch where any nails or screws should go into the wall for the brackets.

If you can’t hold it against the wall, instead measure how far the brackets are from the end of the shelf and use a ruler to map positions on the wall.

9. Install the Shelf

Follow instructions on your shelf for installing the brackets and the shelf. Be sure to tighten any screws or bolts that hold the supports in place to ensure the shelf remains stable.

10. Recheck the Level

Give the shelf a final check with the level to confirm it’s perfectly balanced.

11. Erase the Pencil Lines

Once the shelf is up, the pencil lines will most likely be hidden, so you can skip this step. If they’re visible, just erase them.

This method really will give you as good results as using a level!

Bonus Tip:

Can’t see the water? Use any colored beverage. You can also use a powder like flour. Using opaque substances makes it a tiny bit harder to see what you’re doing when you go to make the pencil marks on the wall, but it can still work.

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Last Updated:

April 2, 2025

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