TSA Liquids Rule: What You Can Bring

Direct answer: At U.S. TSA checkpoints, ordinary carry-on liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes belong in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, together in one quart-sized clear zip-top bag per passenger. Medically necessary liquids and infant or child nourishment have exceptions and separate screening procedures. Check the exact item and follow the officer's instructions; this is not a worldwide airport rule or a guarantee of admission.

You won't forget anything because I won't let you.

What does the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule mean?

Use these three checks before packing ordinary carry-on toiletries:

• Each container holds no more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).
• The containers fit together in one quart-sized clear zip-top bag.
• Each passenger has one such bag for their ordinary carry-on liquids.

The TSA liquids, aerosols and gels rule covers creams and pastes too. A half-empty full-size bottle does not become a travel-size container. Leave it at home or consider checked baggage if the item is permitted there; checked baggage is not permission to carry every liquid or hazardous product.

Keep the liquids bag easy to reach. Follow the instructions at your checkpoint about removing it. The TSA item lookup gives item-specific restrictions; the final decision rests with the TSA officer, and additional screening can still be required. For departures or connections screened outside the United States, check that airport's authority instead of assuming TSA rules apply.

Which everyday toiletries belong in the liquids bag?

For ordinary carry-on packing, check the size of each of these if you bring it:

• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Face or body wash
• Moisturizer or lotion
• Sunscreen

Choose only what you use, in containers within the limit. TSA's shampoo entry is one example of the 3.4-ounce carry-on limit. Aerosol toiletries and unusual products may have other restrictions as well, so use the exact item's guidance rather than this short list as a blanket permission.

If you prefer a ready-made organizer, check the size of the PACKISM clear toiletry bag against the quart-size requirement before using it. A product name or marketing label is not TSA approval.

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A Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag can organize your bathroom items after arrival. It does not replace the quart-size liquids bag or increase the checkpoint allowance.

What exceptions apply to medication and children's nourishment?

Keep these two categories separate from your ordinary toiletry allowance:

• Medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip
• Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby or toddler food, including puree pouches

TSA's liquid medication guidance allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, but requires you to declare them to officers for inspection. Tell the officer at the start and remove these items for separate screening. This is screening guidance, not medical advice or permission to import a medicine into another country.

TSA's traveling with children guidance allows the listed nourishment items over 3.4 ounces without fitting them into the quart-sized bag. Tell the officer at the start if carrying these amounts and remove them for separate screening. Breast milk and cooling accessories may travel without the child present. Cooling accessories have their own screening procedures, including when partly frozen or slushy; check the linked guidance for your situation.

Exceptions do not mean no screening. TSA may test or otherwise screen the items; if you have concerns about opening or X-raying them, notify the officer before screening and follow the alternative procedures offered. Do not treat an ordinary full-size cosmetic as a medical exception.

How can you pack your liquids without unpacking the whole bag?

Work through this short routine at home:

• Check each ordinary liquid container's capacity, not just how much remains inside.
• Put the compliant containers together in your one quart-sized clear zip-top bag.
• Keep exempt items separately accessible so you can identify them to the officer.
• Check unusual products and your departure or connecting airport's current instructions before leaving.

Solid alternatives can reduce what you need in the liquids bag. TSA lists solid deodorant as allowed in carry-on; check other products individually, particularly if their texture or form differs from the usual solid version.

Use compression packing cubes for non-liquid clothing so it stays separate from your toiletry kit. They are optional organization gear, not a substitute for the liquids bag.

Keep an Anker MagGo Power Bank 10K Slim in your carry-on or personal item, separate from the liquids bag. FAA PackSafe guidance requires power banks and spare lithium batteries in the cabin, including removal if a carry-on is gate-checked. Protect the terminals, check the battery label and airline limits, and do not travel with a damaged or recalled battery.

For the rest of your flight bag, use the carry-on packing list. The 10 packing mistakes guide covers broader planning errors. Cruise rules are separate from airport screening; use the cruise packing list for shipboard needs.

What should go on your practical liquids packing checklist?

This is a choose-what-you-need checklist, not a requirement to carry every item. Ordinary liquids must fit together within the allowance. The conditional items follow their own screening guidance rather than using up your ordinary quart-bag allowance.

Ordinary toiletries in compliant containers, if used

• Toothpaste in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less
• Shampoo in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less
• Conditioner in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less
• Face or body wash in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less
• Moisturizer or lotion in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less
• Sunscreen in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less

Bag and non-liquid basics, as needed

• One quart-sized clear zip-top liquids bag
• Optional hanging toiletry organizer for after arrival
• Solid soap, if it replaces a liquid you normally use
• Solid stick deodorant, if you use it
• Empty refillable water bottle

Conditional exception items, only if needed

• Medically necessary liquid medication for your trip
• Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks or baby/toddler food for your trip
• Cooling accessories needed for the exempt items above

TSA liquids FAQ

Does a half-empty full-size bottle count as travel size?

No. For ordinary carry-on liquids, the container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. A larger bottle does not qualify just because it is partly empty. Check the specific item before moving it to checked baggage.

Can I bring drinking water through TSA security?

Ordinary bottled water follows the 3.4-ounce carry-on container limit. An empty refillable bottle lets you get water after screening instead. Medically necessary liquids and the nourishment exceptions have separate procedures; confirm the category that applies to you.

Does solid deodorant need to go in the liquids bag?

TSA lists solid deodorant as allowed in carry-on without the ordinary liquid-size limit. Gel, liquid or spray products are different forms, so check the exact product type in TSA's item lookup rather than assuming all deodorant is treated alike.

Can medication or baby food exceed the ordinary liquid limit?

TSA allows medically necessary liquids in reasonable quantities for your trip and lists formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food as exceptions to the ordinary limit. Tell the officer at the start and remove these items for separate screening. Exceptions do not waive screening or destination import requirements.

Are duty-free liquids always allowed on a U.S. connecting flight?

No. TSA's inbound international exception requires an international purchase, a U.S. connection, a transparent secure tamper-evident retailer bag without signs of tampering, and the original receipt showing purchase within 48 hours. The liquids still must be screened and cleared; an item that alarms or cannot be screened may not be allowed in carry-on. Check your exact connection and other countries' rules rather than assuming every duty-free purchase qualifies.

Related Smart Packer lists

• Carry-on packing list
• 10 packing mistakes to avoid
• Cruise packing list

About the Author: Richard

Richard is the founder of The Smart Packer, a travel blog focused on helping people pack smarter for every type of trip. He has flown quite a few times commercially and has learned from the mistakes of forgetting the occasional item. He enjoys creating practical packing lists that make travel easier and less stressful.

His goal is simple. Help travelers stay organized so they can spend less time worrying about packing and more time enjoying the journey.