An improved methodology using an inexpensive bench top pulsed NMR instrument has been developed for measuring hydrogen contents of a broad range of hydrocarbon process streams. This new methodology expands the range of samples which can be routinely analyzed for hydrogen to include all materials that are liquids at less than or equal to 60 degrees C. Both weight-normalized and density-normalized approaches are described and have precisions on the order of 0.05 wt %. The density-normalized technique enables precision measurement of hydrogen contents in total liquid product samples from pilot units that have Light ends and contain waxy solids at room temperature. This is a significant advantage in accurately determining hydrogen consumption for a large number of refinery processes. The density-normalized technique has an advantage in sample handling but requires a density measurement at the temperature of the NMR measurements.