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The vehicle must running when you check it.
Accuracy is best when vehicle is HOT

 

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The majority of the truth with respect to the level was identified when cold.

With the letters on the dipstick facing the radiator, the line on the dipstick only covered about 1/4 of the dipstick vertically. Only the end of that 1/4 line met up with the pretty consistently solid rear of the dipstick.

I am going to rely on the rear of the dipstick when the letters are facing the radiator when checking hot based on that.

The safe play is to use the lowest indicated reading. Also, although it is more difficult to see the fluid level when the engine is hot. The hot reading is the one that is more meaningful bc it is where the level is speced out to be when the fluid is hot. One thing that helps is to leave the dipstick out of the engine for several minutes before the reading is taken. THOROUGHLY wipe of the dipstick. The time allows the liquid on the inside of the dipstick tube to run off.

And only take one reading. If unsure..keep the dipstick out a few minutes before taking another reading/