What the TSA allows in carry-on luggage
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) sets the rules for what flies in the cabin with you, and the list is longer than most people think. You can bring clothing, shoes, books, electronics, toiletries in containers 3.4 ounces or smaller, a laptop, a phone, headphones, a wallet, keys, and a reasonable amount of medication. You can also bring food that is solid — a sandwich, fruit, cheese, crackers — but not liquids or gels like peanut butter, yogurt, or honey.
The core rule is this: anything solid that is not a weapon, explosive, or flammable substance is usually permitted. Anything liquid, gel, cream, or paste must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller and fit inside a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. One bag per person. That bag goes through security screening separately.
Size limits for the bag itself vary by airline — most allow 22 by 14 by 9 inches, but some budget carriers enforce 18 by 14 by 8 inches. Check your airline's website before you pack, because a bag that fits one airline's overhead bin may not fit another's.
Key Takeaways
- Liquids and gels must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and packed in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag; solid foods have no size limit.
- Electronics including laptops, phones, tablets, and chargers are allowed, but laptops must come out of your bag at security screening.
- Medications in their original labeled containers are permitted, and you do not need to pack them in the liquids bag if they are solid pills or capsules.
- Carry-on size limits differ by airline, so verify your airline's dimensions before packing to avoid gate-checking your bag.
- Weapons, sharp objects, lighters, and flammable items are prohibited; tools longer than 7 inches are not allowed.
Electronics and chargers you can bring
Laptops, tablets, e-readers, phones, smartwatches, and portable chargers all go in your carry-on. Power cords and charging cables have no restrictions. Headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers are fine. You can bring a portable projector, a camera, a drone (but check with your airline about their specific drone policy), and a laptop stand.
At security screening, you will need to remove your laptop and place it in a separate bin. Tablets smaller than a standard notebook may stay in your bag depending on the scanner, but it is faster to remove them. Portable chargers with a capacity over 100 watt-hours are not allowed, and anything with a lithium battery larger than 160 watt-hours is prohibited — most phone chargers and power banks fall well under this limit.
If you are traveling with multiple devices, pack them where you can reach them quickly at security. A tech organizer pouch or a small bag within your carry-on saves time.
Toiletries and the 3.4-ounce rule
Shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, deodorant, perfume, and liquid makeup must each be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller. All of these containers go into one clear quart-sized plastic bag. The TSA provides these bags free at airport security, or you can bring your own.
Solid deodorant, solid perfume, lipstick, powder, and mascara do not count as liquids and do not need to go in the bag. Bar soap, solid shampoo bars, and solid conditioner bars are also unrestricted. If you are unsure whether something counts as a liquid or gel, the rule is straightforward: if it would spill or spread if the container tipped over, it is a liquid or gel.
Razors with the blade attached are not allowed; disposable razors with the blade built in are prohibited. A safety razor with a removable blade is also prohibited. You can bring an electric razor. If you need to shave during your trip, pack a razor in your checked bag or buy one at your destination.
Food and drinks you can pack
Solid foods pass through security with no restrictions. Bring a sandwich, fruit, vegetables, cheese, nuts, crackers, cookies, chocolate, granola bars, and dried fruit. You can pack a full meal if you want. Peanut butter, hummus, jam, honey, and other spreads are gels and must follow the 3.4-ounce rule if you want to bring them through security.
Empty water bottles are allowed through security; you can fill them at a water fountain or refill station after you pass the checkpoint. Bringing a full water bottle through security is not permitted. Alcohol in any amount is prohibited in carry-on luggage — it must go in checked baggage.
Baby food and breast milk are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit and do not need to go in the liquids bag, even though they are technically liquids or gels. Inform the TSA officer that you are traveling with these items.
Medications and medical devices
Prescription and over-the-counter medications in their original labeled containers are allowed in carry-on luggage with no size limit. Solid pills and capsules do not need to go in the liquids bag. Liquid medications like cough syrup or insulin must follow the 3.4-ounce rule unless you have a prescription label on the container, in which case they are exempt from the size limit.
Medical devices including inhalers, EpiPens, glucose meters, and insulin pumps are permitted. Syringes are allowed if they are accompanied by medication or a medical device. Mobility aids like canes, crutches, and walkers are allowed, though TSA may need to screen them separately.
If you are traveling with a significant amount of medication or medical equipment, arrive at security early and inform the officer about what you are carrying. Having a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor can speed up the process, though it is not required.
Items that are prohibited or restricted
Weapons of any kind are not allowed: guns, knives, box cutters, ice picks, and martial arts weapons are all prohibited. Tools longer than 7 inches are not permitted — this includes screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers. Lighters and lighter fluid are prohibited. Flammable items including aerosol cans (except one personal-use aerosol like deodorant or hairspray), paint, and fireworks are not allowed.
Sporting equipment has mixed rules. Baseball bats, cricket bats, and golf clubs are prohibited in carry-on but allowed in checked baggage. Ski poles, ski boots, and skis are prohibited in carry-on. Bicycles must be disassembled and packed in a bike bag or box. Fishing rods are allowed if they are 7 inches or shorter.
Certain items are restricted by airline policy rather than TSA rule — large musical instruments, for example, may require a seat purchase or must go in checked baggage depending on the airline. Check your airline's website for their specific rules on items that fall into gray areas.
How to pack efficiently for carry-on
Start by checking your airline's carry-on dimensions and weight limit. Most airlines allow one personal item (purse, backpack, or small bag) plus one carry-on roller bag. The personal item usually has no size limit as long as it fits under the seat in front of you.
Pack heavier items at the bottom and near the wheels of your roller bag. Place electronics and valuables where you can reach them quickly — you will need to remove your laptop at security. Use packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space. Keep your liquids bag easily accessible at the top of your bag so you can remove it quickly at security.
Wear your bulkiest item — a jacket or sweater — through the airport rather than packing it. This saves space and keeps you from having to remove it at security if your bag is tight on space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full-size bottle of shampoo if I buy it after security?
Yes. Once you pass through security, you can buy and carry any liquid in any size. This is why many travelers buy toiletries, beverages, and other liquids at airport shops after screening. You can bring these items onto the plane and into your destination.
Are gel insoles and gel ice packs allowed in carry-on?
Gel insoles are allowed because they are not in a container that would spill. Gel ice packs are prohibited because they are designed to melt and would spill if the container broke. If you need an ice pack, pack it in your checked bag or buy one at your destination.
Can I bring my laptop charger and power bank on the plane?
Yes, both are allowed. Laptop chargers have no restrictions. Power banks are allowed as long as they are 100 watt-hours or smaller — nearly all consumer power banks fall under this limit. Check the watt-hour rating on your specific model if you are unsure.
What if my carry-on bag is too big for the overhead bin?
The airline will gate-check it at no charge, meaning it will be loaded into the cargo hold and returned to you at baggage claim. To avoid this, measure your bag before you travel and compare it to your airline's stated dimensions. A slightly oversized bag may still fit, but airlines have the right to check it if it does not fit in the sizer frame at the gate.
Can I bring a vape or e-cigarette in my carry-on?
Vaping devices are allowed in carry-on luggage, but they are prohibited in checked baggage because the battery poses a fire risk in the cargo hold. You cannot use the device on the plane. Some airlines have additional restrictions, so check your airline's policy before you travel.