You must remove your shoes at TSA checkpoints, with limited exceptions

Yes, you have to remove your shoes at TSA security checkpoints in the United States. This is a standard screening requirement at all commercial airport security lines. The TSA screens shoes through X-ray machines because explosives can be concealed in footwear — this rule came into effect after a 2001 incident involving an attempted shoe bomb on a commercial flight.

The only people who can keep shoes on are those enrolled in TSA PreCheck, a paid trusted traveler program, or those traveling through airports with expedited screening lanes. Even then, you may be asked to remove them if the X-ray image is unclear or if you trigger additional screening.

Slip-on shoes speed up the process considerably. Laced boots, sandals with straps, or shoes that are difficult to remove and put back on will slow you down and frustrate the people behind you in line.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard TSA screening requires you to remove your shoes and place them in a bin for X-ray scanning.
  • TSA PreCheck members can keep shoes on during security screening, along with belts and light jackets.
  • Wear slip-on shoes to move through security faster and avoid holding up the line.
  • Even with PreCheck, a TSA officer can ask you to remove your shoes if they need a closer look at the X-ray image.
  • The shoe-removal rule applies at every commercial airport security checkpoint in the United States.

Who does not have to remove shoes

TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove their shoes during standard screening. This program costs $78 to $85 for five years and includes a background check and in-person interview at an enrollment center. PreCheck also lets you keep on a light jacket and belt, and you can leave laptops and liquids in your carry-on bag.

Children under 12 traveling with a PreCheck member can also keep their shoes on. However, TSA officers may still ask any traveler — PreCheck or not — to remove shoes if the screening image needs clarification or if you trigger additional security measures.

Military personnel in uniform, some federal law enforcement, and certain other government employees have their own expedited screening pathways, but these vary by airport and are not available to the general public.

What happens to your shoes during screening

Your shoes go into a plastic bin and travel through the same X-ray machine as your carry-on luggage and personal items. The machine scans the interior and exterior of the shoe for prohibited items or materials. This usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on how busy the checkpoint is.

You retrieve your shoes on the other side of the X-ray machine, after you have walked through the metal detector or body scanner. You can put them back on while standing in the area past the checkpoint, but do not block the flow of other travelers. Many people step to the side to tie laces or adjust socks before moving toward their gate.

Why the TSA screens shoes

Shoes are screened because explosives or other dangerous materials can be hidden inside them. The 2001 attempt to detonate a shoe bomb on American Airlines Flight 63 led directly to this rule. Since then, shoe screening has been a permanent part of airport security worldwide.

The TSA does not randomly decide which shoes to screen more carefully. All shoes go through the X-ray machine. If the image is unclear — for example, if the shoe has a thick sole or metal buckles that create shadows on the scan — a TSA officer may ask you to remove it again for a physical inspection or a second scan.

How to move through security faster with shoes

Wear slip-on shoes or shoes with minimal fasteners. Loafers, boat shoes, sandals without straps, and athletic shoes with pull-tabs are faster to remove and put back on than laced boots or shoes with buckles. Socks also matter — avoid thick wool socks or socks with grips on the bottom, which can be slow to remove.

Have your shoes off and in the bin before you reach the X-ray machine. Do not wait until you are at the front of the line to start unlacing. This keeps the line moving and reduces stress for everyone behind you.

If you travel frequently and find shoe removal annoying, TSA PreCheck is worth the cost. The program pays for itself in time saved after about 10 round-trip flights, and you keep shoes on at every checkpoint for five years.

Shoes and TSA PreCheck at different airports

TSA PreCheck works at more than 200 U.S. airports and some international airports where U.S. airlines operate. However, not every airport has a dedicated PreCheck lane. At smaller airports, PreCheck members may go through the same checkpoint as other travelers but still keep shoes on if the lane is staffed for PreCheck screening.

If you have PreCheck and arrive at an airport without a PreCheck lane, you go through standard screening and must remove your shoes. This is rare but can happen at regional airports or during very busy travel periods when PreCheck lanes are temporarily closed.

Check the TSA website or your airport's website before traveling to confirm whether PreCheck lanes are available at your departure and arrival airports.

What to do if you have a medical reason to keep shoes on

If you have a medical condition that makes it painful or impossible to remove your shoes — such as a severe foot injury, prosthetic device, or mobility issue — tell the TSA officer before you reach the X-ray machine. Explain the condition briefly and be prepared to show documentation if asked.

The TSA officer may ask you to remove the shoe for inspection, or they may allow you to keep it on and conduct additional screening instead. They may also ask a companion to help you, or they may use a private screening room. The goal is to screen you without causing harm or undue hardship.

Having a note from your doctor or a medical ID card can speed up this conversation, though it is not required. Be honest and direct about what you can and cannot do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear shoes through the metal detector?

No. You must remove your shoes before entering the metal detector or body scanner. Place them in a bin on the conveyor belt with your other items. The only exception is TSA PreCheck members at airports with PreCheck lanes, who can keep shoes on during the entire screening process.

What if my shoes set off the metal detector?

If your shoes have metal buckles, grommets, or reinforced soles, they may trigger the metal detector even after you have removed them. The TSA officer will ask you to place them in a bin and run them through the X-ray machine separately, or they may hand-inspect them. This adds a few minutes to your screening time.

Do I have to remove my socks?

No. You can keep your socks on while your shoes are scanned. However, if the X-ray image is unclear or if you trigger additional screening, a TSA officer may ask you to remove your socks as well so they can inspect your feet or the inside of your shoes.

Can I wear shoes through security if I am traveling internationally?

International airports outside the United States have their own security rules. Some countries require shoe removal; others do not. Check the security requirements for your departure airport before you travel. If you are departing from a U.S. airport for an international flight, standard U.S. shoe-removal rules explore.

Does TSA PreCheck work at all U.S. airports?

TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 U.S. airports, but not all of them have dedicated PreCheck lanes at all times. At smaller airports or during peak travel periods, PreCheck lanes may be closed. Call your airport ahead of time if you want to confirm that PreCheck screening is available on your travel date.