The TSA rules for carry-on items

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows most everyday items in your carry-on bag, but a few categories are restricted or banned entirely. The main rule is straightforward: nothing that could be used as a weapon or pose a safety risk on the aircraft. Liquids, gels, and aerosols follow a separate rule called the 3-1-1 rule, which limits how much you can bring.

Your carry-on bag itself has no official size limit from the TSA, but individual airlines set their own dimensions—usually around 22 by 14 by 9 inches. If your bag is too large, the airline will gate-check it (send it to the cargo hold) at no charge, though you lose the convenience of having it with you during the flight.

The TSA screens carry-on bags at security checkpoints. If an item is questionable, the officer can confiscate it. You cannot retrieve it after you pass through security, so it is worth knowing the rules before you pack.

Key Takeaways

  • Liquids, gels, and aerosols must follow the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container, all containers in one quart-sized clear bag, one bag per person.
  • Sharp objects like knives, box cutters, and ice picks are banned; scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches are allowed.
  • Tools like hammers, wrenches, and drills are prohibited, but small hand tools under 7 inches may be allowed depending on the tool.
  • Electronics including laptops, phones, and tablets are allowed and do not count toward liquid limits.
  • Sports equipment like baseball bats, golf clubs, and ski poles are banned from carry-on but can go in checked luggage.

The 3-1-1 rule for liquids, gels, and aerosols

Any substance that flows, spreads, or sprays counts as a liquid, gel, or aerosol for TSA purposes. This includes toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, deodorant, hairspray, and peanut butter. Each container must hold 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. A full-size bottle of shampoo, even if you only use a little, will be confiscated.

All your liquid containers must fit inside a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. One bag per person. You remove this bag at security and place it in the bin with your shoes and electronics. If you have a 3.4-ounce container of lotion and a 3.4-ounce container of sunscreen, both fit in the same bag. If you have five 3.4-ounce containers, only four fit in a quart bag, so the fifth will be confiscated.

Solid items do not follow the 3-1-1 rule. A stick of deodorant is solid and can be any size. A gel or spray deodorant must be 3.4 ounces or less. Medications in liquid form (like cough syrup) are allowed in reasonable quantities beyond the 3-1-1 limit if you declare them, but it is simpler to pack them in checked luggage.

Weapons and sharp objects you cannot bring

Knives of any size are banned from carry-on, including pocket knives, butter knives, and kitchen knives. Box cutters, razors, and ice picks are also prohibited. The only cutting tool allowed in carry-on is scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches, measured from the pivot point. Nail clippers and nail files are allowed.

Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and flares are banned from carry-on entirely. Lighters are banned from carry-on but one book of safety matches is allowed. Pepper spray and self-defense sprays are banned from carry-on but may be allowed in checked luggage under specific conditions—check with your airline before packing.

Baseball bats, golf clubs, ski poles, hockey sticks, and pool cues cannot go in carry-on. These items can be packed in checked luggage. Martial arts weapons like nunchucks, throwing stars, and brass knuckles are banned from both carry-on and checked luggage.

Tools and sporting equipment restrictions

Most tools are banned from carry-on because they could be used as weapons. Hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, drills, saws, and crowbars are all prohibited. However, a single small tool under 7 inches long may be allowed if it is not a knife or blade—a small wrench or a small screwdriver might pass, but the TSA officer has final say. If you need tools at your destination, pack them in checked luggage.

Sporting equipment rules vary by item. Bowling balls, baseball bats, and golf clubs are banned from carry-on but allowed in checked luggage. Tennis rackets, badminton rackets, and squash rackets are allowed in carry-on. Skis and snowboards can go in carry-on if they fit the airline's size limits, but ski poles cannot. Surfboards and bodyboards are typically allowed in carry-on if they fit the airline's dimensions, but check with your specific airline first.

Fishing rods, archery equipment, and spear guns are banned from carry-on. Camping equipment like tents, sleeping bags, and camp stoves are allowed in carry-on as long as the camp stove has no fuel in it and is empty and clean.

Electronics and power banks

Laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, headphones, and portable chargers are all allowed in carry-on. You will remove your laptop and large electronics from your bag at security and place them in a bin for X-ray screening, just like your shoes and liquids bag. Tablets smaller than a standard notebook may not need to be removed, depending on the security line.

Portable power banks (external batteries) are allowed in carry-on but not in checked luggage. The TSA limits power banks to 100 watt-hours. Most standard phone chargers fall well below this limit. If you have a very large power bank, check its watt-hour rating before you travel.

Drones are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage, but the battery must be removed and carried in carry-on only. Spare drone batteries must also go in carry-on. E-cigarettes and vaping devices are allowed in carry-on but not in checked luggage.

Food, medications, and personal care items

Solid food is allowed in carry-on with no restrictions. Sandwiches, fruit, cheese, crackers, cookies, and candy all pass through security. Peanut butter, jam, honey, and other spreads are considered gels and must follow the 3-1-1 rule—a small container of peanut butter is fine, but a full jar will be confiscated. Yogurt, pudding, and hummus are also gels and must be 3.4 ounces or less.

Medications in pill or tablet form are allowed in any quantity. Liquid medications like cough syrup or insulin are allowed in reasonable quantities beyond the 3-1-1 limit if you declare them at security. It is easier to pack liquid medications in checked luggage to avoid questions. Inhalers and epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) are allowed in carry-on.

Toiletries like toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, and sunscreen follow the 3-1-1 rule. Solid deodorant is allowed in any size. Razors with disposable cartridges are allowed if the blade is covered or in a protective case. Straight razors and safety razors are banned.

Items that may surprise you

Lighters are banned from carry-on but one book of safety matches is allowed. Candles are allowed in carry-on. Umbrellas are allowed. Flashlights are allowed. A small hammer or mallet under 7 inches may be allowed at the officer's discretion, but larger ones are banned.

Dry ice is allowed in carry-on in small quantities (2.2 pounds or less) if it is properly packaged and does not completely seal the container. Gel-filled bras and gel shoe inserts are allowed. Frozen food is allowed as long as it is completely frozen solid at the security checkpoint—if it has any liquid, it counts as a liquid.

Lighters shaped like guns or other weapons are banned. Toy guns and replica firearms are allowed in carry-on but may raise questions at security. Pack them in checked luggage to avoid delays. Binoculars, telescopes, and magnifying glasses are allowed.

What to do if you are unsure about an item

The TSA runs a service called AskTSA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram where you can ask about specific items before you travel. You can also call the TSA at 1-866-289-9673 or visit the TSA website and search their prohibited items list. If an item is not explicitly listed as banned, it may still be confiscated at the officer's discretion if it poses a safety risk.

When in doubt, pack the item in checked luggage instead. Checked luggage has fewer restrictions than carry-on—most items banned from carry-on are allowed in checked bags, with the exception of firearms, explosives, and a few hazardous materials. If you are traveling with something unusual, contact your airline directly, because some airlines have stricter rules than the TSA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a full-size bottle of shampoo if I only use a little bit?

No. The TSA measures the container size, not how full it is. A full-size bottle of shampoo, even if mostly empty, will be confiscated. You must transfer shampoo to a 3.4-ounce container or smaller, or pack the full bottle in checked luggage.

Are scissors allowed in carry-on?

Yes, but only if the blades are shorter than 4 inches, measured from the pivot point. Craft scissors and small office scissors usually may have access to. Larger scissors are banned from carry-on but allowed in checked luggage.

Can I bring a power bank on the plane?

Yes, power banks are allowed in carry-on only, not in checked luggage. The TSA limits them to 100 watt-hours. Most standard phone chargers are well below this limit. Check your power bank's specifications if it is very large.

What if my airline has a smaller carry-on size limit than the TSA allows?

Your airline's limit applies. The TSA has no official size restriction, but airlines set their own. If your bag exceeds your airline's dimensions, it will be gate-checked at no charge. Check your airline's website for their specific carry-on size limits before you pack.

Can I bring frozen food in my carry-on?

Yes, as long as it is completely frozen solid when you pass through security. If it has any liquid or is thawing, it counts as a liquid and must follow the 3-1-1 rule. Frozen items in checked luggage have no restrictions.