You must remove your shoes at TSA security checkpoints in most cases, but some travelers can keep them on

TSA requires you to take off your shoes and place them in a bin for X-ray screening at standard security lines. The rule applies to nearly all passengers. However, if you are 75 years old or older, you may keep your shoes on if you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck. Travelers with a TSA Known Traveler Number (KTN) from PreCheck, NEXUS, SENTRI, or GOES also keep shoes on in PreCheck lanes, along with light jackets and belts.

The shoe screening rule exists because shoes can conceal prohibited items and explosives. TSA officers need to see the interior and sole of each shoe. Even if you have PreCheck, you will remove shoes in standard security lanes if you are not using a PreCheck checkpoint.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard TSA security lines require all passengers to remove shoes for X-ray screening.
  • TSA PreCheck members can keep shoes on, along with light jackets and belts, but only in designated PreCheck lanes.
  • Passengers 75 and older with TSA PreCheck can keep shoes on; those without PreCheck must remove them regardless of age.
  • Shoes must be placed in a bin and sent through the X-ray machine separately from your carry-on bag.
  • The shoe removal rule applies to all types of footwear, including sneakers, sandals, boots, and dress shoes.

What happens to your shoes during screening

When you reach the security checkpoint, place your shoes in an empty bin before you step into the metal detector or body scanner. TSA officers will send the bin through the X-ray machine along with your other belongings. The X-ray allows officers to see inside the shoe, including the sole and heel, where prohibited items could be hidden.

After screening, your shoes come out on the other side of the X-ray machine. You pick them up and put them back on in the area past the checkpoint. Do not put your shoes back on while you are still in the security line or near the metal detector—move to the designated area beyond the checkpoint where other passengers are also putting on their shoes and collecting their bags.

TSA PreCheck and shoe removal

If you have a TSA PreCheck membership, you can keep your shoes on during screening, but only when you use a PreCheck lane. PreCheck lanes are marked clearly at the checkpoint entrance. Not all airports have PreCheck lanes, and not all flights may have access to for PreCheck screening, so you may still need to remove your shoes at some airports or on some trips.

To use PreCheck, you must have enrolled in the program and received a Known Traveler Number (KTN). You provide this number when you book your flight. The TSA PreCheck program costs $78 to $85 for five years, depending on your location. Other programs that include PreCheck benefits are NEXUS ($120 for five years), SENTRI ($122.50 for five years), and GOES ($100 for five years).

PreCheck membership also allows you to keep on light jackets, belts, and hats during screening. You still remove heavier outerwear, laptops, and liquids from your bag.

Common mistakes that slow down shoe screening

The most common mistake is wearing shoes that are difficult to remove quickly. Laced boots, shoes with multiple buckles, or shoes that require untying take longer to remove and put back on. Wear slip-on shoes or shoes with velcro straps on travel days to move through the line faster.

Another mistake is placing shoes in a bin with other items. Put your shoes in their own bin so the X-ray operator can see them clearly. If you place shoes on top of your laptop or liquids bag, the officer may need to remove them and rescreening, which delays the line.

Do not put your shoes back on until you are completely past the checkpoint. Putting shoes on while standing in front of the metal detector or scanner blocks the line and may require you to step back and remove them again.

Shoes that may require extra screening

Thick-soled shoes, platform shoes, and boots with metal buckles or zippers sometimes trigger additional screening. TSA officers may ask you to remove the shoe so they can inspect it by hand or run a chemical test on the sole. This is normal and does not mean you have done anything wrong—the officer is straightforward checking the shoe more thoroughly because the X-ray image was unclear.

Shoes with metal inserts, orthotic devices, or medical braces may also require a hand inspection. If you wear custom orthotics or medical shoes, let the officer know before you place your shoes in the bin. The officer can then inspect them more efficiently and may be able to expedite the process.

What to do if you have a medical condition affecting your feet

If you have a foot injury, severe arthritis, or another condition that makes removing shoes painful or difficult, inform the TSA officer before you reach the checkpoint. Officers can accommodate medical needs by allowing you to remove your shoes in a private screening area or by conducting a hand inspection instead of X-ray screening.

You do not need a doctor's note, but having one can help explain your situation quickly. The officer's goal is to screen your shoes while respecting your medical needs. Be honest about what you can and cannot do—TSA officers work with passengers on these situations regularly.

Shoes and international travel

The shoe removal rule applies to all TSA checkpoints in the United States, including flights to and from international destinations. When you return to the United States from abroad, you will also remove your shoes at U.S. Customs and Border Protection screening, which is separate from TSA screening.

Other countries have different security rules. If you are flying internationally from a non-U.S. airport, that country's security agency sets the rules. Some airports outside the U.S. do not require shoe removal, while others have stricter requirements. Check with your airline or the airport's website before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove socks or orthotics when I remove my shoes?

No. You remove only your shoes. Keep your socks and any orthotic inserts or medical braces on your feet. If your orthotics are removable, you can leave them in your shoe as it goes through the X-ray, or remove them and place them in the bin with your shoe—either way is fine.

What if I am wearing shoes with a lot of laces or buckles?

Unlace or unbuckle them quickly and place them in the bin. If you are slow, the line may back up, but TSA officers understand that some shoes take longer. Wear slip-on shoes on travel days to speed up the process.

Can I wear shoes through the metal detector if I remove them right after?

No. You must remove your shoes before you approach the metal detector or body scanner. Place them in a bin and send them through the X-ray machine with your other belongings.

Do children have to remove their shoes?

Yes, children must remove their shoes at standard security checkpoints. Children under 12 with a TSA PreCheck membership can keep shoes on in PreCheck lanes. Infants and toddlers who cannot walk do not need to remove shoes.

What happens if I refuse to remove my shoes?

TSA officers cannot allow you through the checkpoint without shoe screening. If you refuse, you will not be able to pass through security and will miss your flight. If you have a medical reason, explain it to the officer—they can offer alternative screening methods.