Oil dipstick giving different readings

[DGXR]

Read the top side, which will be the side on which the level appears lower if it's unambiguous on both sides.

This. Or as wpod stated:

The lowest reading on the dip stick is correct.

 

[Gebo]

You gotta think about it. It hurt my head until I got it.

The lowest reading on the dipstick is the correct accurate reading. The high reading can't be correct. How
did the oil level pass the lower reading? It climbed up the stick on the side of the stick that was closest to
the filler tube.

 

[Ws6]

I was wondering why oil levels are different when checking your oil with the dipstick. Of course I'm checking the vehicle on level ground and after its been off for a couple of hours. If I insert the dipstick with the hash marks facing the engine, ill get a reading half way between empty and full. Then if i insert the dipstick with the hash marks facing away from the engine it will show the oil is over filled past the full line. Maybe someone can give me some clarification, thanks in advance.

Dipsticks are not precision instruments. They are idiot lights with a slight gradient to them. Think of them this way and life is better.