Photo by Mira Bozhko Unsplash

Measurements are all about precision, but the terms “dash,” “pinch,” and “smidgen” have always been a little vague. They do, however, have somewhat precise definitions, which can be helpful to know if you’re scaling up a recipe.


This is part of The Grown-Up Kitchen, Skillet’s series designed to answer your most basic culinary questions and fill in any gaps that may be missing in your home chef education.

Two Easy Ways to Poach an Egg Poached eggs are the super stars of brunch and the heroes of salads that eat like a meal, but many… Read more


Traditionally, a “pinch” simply meant the amount you could literally pinch between your forefinger and thumb, which usually falls somewhere between 1/16 and 1/8 of a teaspoon. A smidgen is half a pinch (1/32 of a teaspoon), and a dash is a liquid measurement that translates to to 1/8 of a teaspoon. These terms are handy to know, but don’t fret if you have tiny measuring spoons; these units are most commonly used for seasoning, so it’s very unlikely you’ll ruin anything by playing a little fast and loose with these amounts.