The TSA's Basic Rules for Carry-On Items

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows most everyday items in your carry-on bag, but liquids, gels, and aerosols follow a strict rule: each container must hold 3.4 ounces or less, and all containers must fit inside a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. Electronics larger than a laptop, tools longer than 7 inches, and anything that could be used as a weapon are prohibited. Beyond those restrictions, you can bring clothing, books, toiletries in solid form, food that is not liquid or gel, and most personal items.

The TSA does not limit how many solid items you can pack — only the size and weight your airline allows for carry-on bags. Most airlines permit one standard carry-on bag (usually 22 by 14 by 9 inches) plus one personal item like a purse or backpack. Check your airline's website before you pack, because some carriers have stricter dimensions or weight limits than others.

Key Takeaways

  • Liquids and gels must be 3.4 ounces or smaller per container, and all must fit in one quart-sized clear plastic bag.
  • Solid toiletries like deodorant sticks, solid perfume, and lip balm are allowed in unlimited quantities.
  • Electronics including laptops, tablets, and cameras are permitted, but must be removed and screened separately at security.
  • Knives, tools longer than 7 inches, lighters, and flammable items are prohibited in carry-on bags.
  • Your airline sets the size and weight limits for carry-on bags, so verify those limits before packing.

Toiletries and Personal Care Items You Can Bring

Solid toiletries have no size or quantity restrictions in carry-on bags. This includes solid deodorant, solid perfume, bar soap, toothpaste in solid form, and lip balm. Powder-based products like loose eyeshadow, powder blush, and talc are also allowed, though TSA may open and inspect them.

For liquid and gel toiletries — shampoo, conditioner, lotion, liquid soap, toothpaste in a tube, sunscreen, and moisturizer — each container must be 3.4 ounces or smaller. Pack them all in one clear quart-sized plastic bag. You can bring multiple containers as long as each one is under 3.4 ounces and they all fit in the bag. Medications in liquid or gel form (like liquid vitamins or gel capsules) are exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule if you declare them to TSA, but it is faster to pack them in checked luggage if you have it.

Electronics and Chargers

Laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, and smartphones are all allowed in carry-on bags. You must remove laptops and large electronics from your bag at security screening so they can be X-rayed separately. Chargers and cables for any of these devices are permitted. Power banks (portable battery chargers) are allowed, but lithium-ion power banks larger than 100 watt-hours are prohibited, and you cannot pack them in checked luggage.

Headphones, smartwatches, and portable speakers are permitted. Hair dryers, electric shavers, and other heat-based grooming tools are allowed as long as they do not contain flammable gas. If you are traveling internationally, check the destination country's rules, because some nations restrict certain electronics at entry.

Food and Beverages

Solid foods are allowed in carry-on bags with no restrictions — sandwiches, fruit, nuts, cheese, crackers, and chocolate all pass through security. Peanut butter, hummus, jam, and other thick spreads are treated as gels and must follow the 3.4-ounce rule. Soups, yogurt, honey, and peanut butter are prohibited unless they are 3.4 ounces or smaller.

You cannot bring liquids or gels through security, including water, juice, coffee, or any beverage. You can buy a drink after you pass security, or bring an empty water bottle and fill it at a fountain or refill station past the checkpoint. Frozen items like ice cream or frozen gel packs are prohibited because they are considered gels when they begin to thaw.

Items That Are Prohibited in Carry-On Bags

Weapons and weapon-like items are never allowed: knives of any length, box cutters, razors, scissors longer than 4 inches, and tools longer than 7 inches (including screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers). Firearms, ammunition, and explosives are prohibited. Lighters and lighter fluid are not allowed, though one book of safety matches is permitted.

Flammable items including paint, gasoline, and certain cleaning products cannot be packed in carry-on or checked bags. Sporting equipment with sharp edges — like ski poles, ice skates, and baseball bats — is prohibited in carry-on but may be allowed in checked luggage depending on your airline. Lithium batteries larger than 100 watt-hours and spare batteries must go in checked luggage or be left behind.

What to Pack in Your Personal Item

Your personal item (a purse, small backpack, or laptop bag) can hold anything that fits inside it and meets carry-on rules. Most travelers use this space for items they need during the flight: medications, glasses, a book or tablet, headphones, a phone charger, and a change of clothes in case luggage is delayed. Keep your ID and boarding pass in an straightforward-to-reach pocket.

If you are bringing a laptop or tablet, pack it where you can remove it quickly at security. Medications should stay in their original labeled containers. A small toiletries bag with your 3.4-ounce liquids and gels fits easily in a personal item, so you do not have to dig through your carry-on at the gate.

How to Pack Efficiently for TSA Screening

Place your quart-sized bag of liquids and gels on top of your carry-on where you can pull it out quickly at security. Remove your laptop and large electronics before you reach the scanner. Wear slip-on shoes and minimal metal jewelry to speed up the screening process. Keep your ID and boarding pass in your hand or an outer pocket.

Pack heavier items at the bottom of your carry-on and lighter items on top. This makes the bag easier to lift into the overhead bin and less likely to tip over. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, check the TSA website or call your airline before you pack — it is faster than repacking at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a full-size bottle of shampoo if I check a bag?

Yes. The 3.4-ounce limit applies only to carry-on bags. In checked luggage, you can pack full-size bottles of shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, and other liquids and gels with no size restriction. Make sure bottles are sealed and packed where they will not leak onto your clothes.

Are solid perfume and cologne allowed in carry-on?

Solid perfume is allowed in unlimited quantity. Liquid cologne must follow the 3.4-ounce rule and fit in your quart-sized bag. If you want to bring a full bottle of cologne, pack it in checked luggage instead.

Can I bring my phone charger and power bank on the plane?

Yes, phone chargers are always allowed. Power banks under 100 watt-hours are permitted in carry-on bags only — they cannot go in checked luggage. Check your power bank's label for the watt-hour rating before you pack.

What happens if I accidentally pack a prohibited item?

TSA will confiscate it at security. You cannot retrieve it later. If you realize you have a prohibited item before you reach the checkpoint, you can leave it at a trash bin or ask a TSA officer where to dispose of it safely.

Do I need to remove my tablet from my bag at security?

Yes, tablets must be removed and screened separately, just like laptops. E-readers like Kindle devices may not need to be removed — TSA will tell you at the checkpoint if yours does.