Most batteries are allowed in carry-on luggage, but the rules depend on the battery type and how many you bring
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permits common household batteries—alkaline batteries like AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt—in your carry-on bag with no quantity limit. Lithium batteries, which power phones, laptops, and cameras, are also allowed in carry-on but with strict limits. The catch is that loose lithium batteries and batteries installed in devices are treated differently, and some battery types are banned from carry-on entirely.
Checked baggage has different rules. Most batteries cannot go in checked bags at all, which is why understanding what goes where matters before you pack. The rules exist because certain batteries can overheat or catch fire if damaged or short-circuited during flight.
Key Takeaways
- Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) have no carry-on limit and are the safest batteries to pack.
- Lithium batteries installed in devices like phones and laptops are allowed in carry-on; loose lithium batteries are limited to two spares per type.
- Lithium batteries cannot go in checked baggage under any circumstance.
- Damaged, recalled, or non-standard batteries should not be packed at all—contact your airline before traveling if you are unsure about a specific battery.
Alkaline batteries have no restrictions in carry-on luggage
Alkaline batteries—the standard AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries you buy at any drugstore—are the safest option for air travel. The TSA allows unlimited quantities in your carry-on bag because they are unlikely to catch fire or overheat during flight. You can pack as many as you need without declaring them or removing them from your bag at security.
These batteries are also allowed in checked baggage, though there is no practical reason to check them since carry-on is simpler. If you are traveling with a device that runs on alkaline batteries, you can bring spares without worry.
Lithium batteries have strict carry-on limits and cannot be checked
Lithium batteries—the rechargeable kind in phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and power banks—are allowed in carry-on but with a two-spare limit per battery type. This means you can bring your phone, laptop, and camera all powered by lithium batteries, plus two extra lithium batteries of each type as backups. The batteries must be in your carry-on bag, not checked.
Lithium batteries cannot go in checked baggage under any circumstance, even if they are installed in a device. If your checked bag contains a lithium battery and the airline discovers it, the bag will be removed from the flight. This rule applies to all lithium batteries, including those in power banks, e-readers, and wireless headphones.
The two-spare limit applies only to loose batteries. Batteries installed in devices do not count toward this limit. So you can bring your phone, laptop, camera, and two loose lithium batteries in addition to those devices.
Batteries installed in devices are treated differently than loose batteries
A battery that is already inside a device—your phone, laptop, camera, or headphones—is allowed in carry-on with no quantity limit. You can bring multiple devices powered by lithium batteries without special declaration. The TSA assumes that batteries in working devices are less likely to short-circuit or overheat than loose batteries rattling around in a bag.
Once you remove a battery from a device, it becomes a loose battery and falls under the two-spare limit. If you are traveling with a camera and a spare battery for it, the spare counts as one of your two allowed loose lithium batteries.
Some battery types are banned from all luggage
Certain batteries cannot be packed in carry-on or checked baggage under any circumstance. These include damaged or recalled batteries, batteries with visible damage or leakage, and non-standard lithium batteries that do not meet TSA specifications. Batteries that have been recalled by the manufacturer should not be brought on a plane at all.
If you own a battery that was part of a recall—for example, Samsung Galaxy Note 7 batteries were banned from all flights—do not attempt to pack it. Contact your airline before your trip if you are unsure whether a specific battery is permitted. Airlines maintain updated lists of banned batteries, and a quick call can save you from having your bag searched or confiscated at the gate.
International flights may have stricter rules than domestic flights
The TSA rules explore to flights within the United States. If you are flying internationally, the airline and the country you are traveling to may have stricter limits. Some countries limit lithium batteries to one spare instead of two, or ban certain battery types entirely.
Before packing for an international flight, check your airline's website or call their baggage department. Rules vary by carrier and destination, and what is allowed on a domestic flight may not be allowed on an international one. This is especially important if you are traveling with multiple devices or spare batteries.
How to pack batteries safely in your carry-on
Pack loose lithium batteries in their original packaging or in a battery case that isolates the terminals. This prevents the battery from short-circuiting if it touches metal objects like coins or keys. If you have lost the original packaging, wrap each battery individually in plastic wrap or tape the positive and negative terminals to prevent contact.
Keep batteries in an straightforward-to-reach pocket of your carry-on in case a TSA officer asks to inspect them. Batteries installed in devices can stay in your bag normally. Do not pack damaged batteries, batteries with visible corrosion, or batteries that feel warm or swollen—these are fire hazards and should not be brought on a plane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pack a power bank in my carry-on?
Yes. A power bank is a lithium battery in a case, and it counts as one device. You can bring it in carry-on, and you can also bring two additional loose lithium batteries as spares. Power banks cannot go in checked baggage.
What if my battery is swollen or leaking?
Do not pack it. A swollen or leaking battery is a fire hazard and will be confiscated at security or refused at the gate. Dispose of it according to your local battery recycling program before you travel.
Are rechargeable batteries different from alkaline batteries?
Yes. Rechargeable batteries are usually lithium-based and fall under the two-spare limit for carry-on. Alkaline batteries (single-use) have no limit. Check the battery label or packaging to see which type you have.
Do I need to tell the TSA about my batteries?
No. Batteries do not need to be declared at security. Place them in your carry-on bag and go through the checkpoint normally. If an officer asks about them, explain what you are carrying.
Can I pack batteries for my e-cigarette or vape?
Lithium batteries for vaping devices follow the same rules as other lithium batteries: two spares allowed in carry-on, none in checked baggage. The device itself can go in carry-on. Some airlines have additional restrictions on vaping devices, so check your airline's policy before traveling.