Batteries are allowed on planes, but the rules depend on the type and quantity
You can bring batteries on a plane, but the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have specific rules about which ones, how many, and where they go. The main rule: batteries must be in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. This applies to most common batteries you'd travel with—lithium-ion batteries in phones and laptops, alkaline batteries in flashlights, and rechargeable batteries in cameras.
The reason for the carry-on rule is fire safety. Lithium batteries can overheat and catch fire if damaged or short-circuited, and checked baggage is harder to monitor and fight fires in during flight. Crew members in the cabin can respond to problems in carry-on bags; they cannot reach checked luggage.
Different battery types have different limits. Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) have no quantity limit in carry-on or checked bags. Lithium batteries—the kind in phones, laptops, and power banks—are limited to two spares in carry-on only. Lithium batteries installed in devices (your phone, laptop, camera) are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags without limit.
Key Takeaways
- All batteries except those installed in devices must go in carry-on luggage, never checked baggage.
- Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) have no limit and can travel in carry-on or checked bags.
- Spare lithium batteries are limited to two per person in carry-on luggage only.
- Batteries installed in devices—phones, laptops, cameras, power banks—can go in carry-on or checked bags without limit.
- Damaged, recalled, or defective batteries are prohibited entirely and cannot fly.
Lithium batteries: the ones with strict limits
Lithium batteries come in two forms: lithium-ion (rechargeable) and lithium-metal (non-rechargeable). Both have the same carry-on limit: two spares per person. This means two extra batteries you're not currently using in a device.
The limit applies to batteries you pack separately—not the one in your phone or the one in your laptop. If you're bringing a spare battery for your camera, a power bank, or a backup phone battery, that counts as one of your two allowed spares. If you're bringing two spare batteries, you've hit the limit.
Lithium batteries must stay in carry-on luggage. They cannot go in checked bags at all. If you accidentally pack a spare lithium battery in checked luggage, TSA will find it during screening and remove it. Your flight may be delayed while this happens.
The watt-hour (Wh) rating matters for very large batteries. Batteries under 100 Wh are unrestricted. Batteries between 100 and 160 Wh require airline approval before you board. Batteries over 160 Wh are prohibited. Most phone and laptop batteries fall well under 100 Wh, so you won't need to check this unless you're traveling with industrial or specialty equipment.
Alkaline and other common batteries
Alkaline batteries—AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt—have no quantity limit. You can pack as many as you need in carry-on or checked luggage. These are the batteries in flashlights, remote controls, and hearing aids. They're considered safe because they're less likely to short-circuit and catch fire than lithium batteries.
Rechargeable NiMH batteries (the kind you charge in a charger, common in older cameras and devices) also have no limit. Button-cell batteries, like those in watches and hearing aids, are allowed without restriction.
The key difference: if the battery is not lithium-based and not installed in a device, you can pack it freely. Alkaline batteries are the safest bet for unlimited quantity.
Batteries already installed in your devices
Batteries built into devices—your phone, laptop, tablet, camera, smartwatch, or power bank—are treated differently from spare batteries. You can bring as many devices with built-in batteries as you want in carry-on or checked luggage. There is no limit.
This means your phone, laptop, and camera can all travel with you without counting toward any battery limit. The restriction only applies to spare batteries sitting loose in your bag.
Power banks are considered devices with built-in batteries, so you can bring them in carry-on or checked bags. However, TSA recommends carrying them in carry-on so you can monitor them during the flight.
How to pack batteries safely for air travel
Pack spare batteries in carry-on luggage in a clear, straightforward-to-access location. Keep them in their original packaging if possible, or wrap the terminals (the metal ends) with non-conductive tape like painter's tape or electrical tape. This prevents the battery from short-circuiting if it touches metal objects or other batteries in your bag.
Do not pack spare batteries loose in a pocket or at the bottom of your bag where they could shift around. Do not pack them with metal objects like coins, keys, or jewelry that could bridge the terminals. Do not pack damaged, swollen, or recalled batteries at all.
If you're unsure whether a battery is lithium-based, check the device manual or the battery label. It will say "lithium-ion" or "lithium-metal" if it's a lithium battery. If it says "alkaline" or "NiMH", it has no limit.
Devices with batteries (phone, laptop, camera) can go in either carry-on or checked luggage. Most travelers keep them in carry-on to avoid damage and to use them during the flight.
Batteries that are not allowed on planes
Damaged, defective, or recalled batteries cannot fly at all. This includes batteries that are swollen, leaking, or visibly cracked. If a battery has been recalled by the manufacturer (Samsung Galaxy Note 7 batteries, for example), it is prohibited on all flights.
Batteries for e-cigarettes and vaping devices have special rules. The battery itself must be removed from the device and packed in carry-on luggage only, with terminals taped. The device without the battery can go in checked or carry-on luggage. Some airlines prohibit vaping devices entirely, so check your airline's policy before you pack.
Spare batteries for mobility aids like wheelchairs or scooters are allowed, but you must notify the airline in advance. These are often larger lithium batteries that exceed the standard limit, and the airline needs to approve them before you board.
What to do if TSA stops you at security
If TSA finds a battery in your checked luggage during screening, they will remove it and your flight may be delayed. You will not be able to retrieve the battery before your flight. To avoid this, double-check your bags before you leave for the airport and make sure all spare batteries are in your carry-on.
If you're unsure whether a battery is allowed, ask TSA at the security checkpoint before you go through screening. They can tell you whether your specific battery is permitted and where it should be packed.
If you're traveling internationally, check the rules for your destination country as well. Some countries have stricter battery rules than the United States. Your airline can tell you what applies to your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a power bank on a plane?
Yes. A power bank is a device with a built-in lithium battery, so it can go in carry-on or checked luggage. TSA recommends keeping it in carry-on so you can monitor it during the flight and use it to charge your phone.
Do I need to tell the airline about my batteries?
No, not for standard spare batteries or devices. You only need to notify the airline in advance if you're traveling with large lithium batteries for mobility aids or other specialty equipment that exceeds the standard limit.
What if my battery is swollen or damaged?
Do not pack it. Damaged batteries are prohibited on all flights. If a battery is swollen, leaking, or cracked, leave it at home or dispose of it safely before you travel.
Can I bring batteries in checked luggage?
Only alkaline batteries and batteries already installed in devices can go in checked luggage. Spare lithium batteries must be in carry-on only. If TSA finds a spare lithium battery in checked luggage, it will be removed and your flight may be delayed.
How many phone chargers can I bring?
You can bring as many chargers as you want. Chargers are not batteries and have no restrictions. The limit applies only to spare batteries themselves.