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

TSA officers will ask you to remove your shoes as part of standard screening at nearly every airport checkpoint in the United States. The rule applies to everyone passing through the metal detector or body scanner, with only a handful of exceptions. Shoes go into a bin on the conveyor belt, pass through the X-ray machine separately, and you put them back on after you clear the checkpoint.

The shoe removal rule has been in place since 2006 and applies nationwide. It is not optional — refusing to remove your shoes will stop you from moving forward through security. The process typically adds two to three minutes to your checkpoint time, depending on how quickly you can unlace and relace.

Key Takeaways

  • You must remove your shoes at TSA checkpoints unless you are under 12 years old, over 75 years old, or enrolled in TSA PreCheck.
  • Shoes must go through the X-ray machine in a bin, the same way as your carry-on bag.
  • Wear slip-on shoes or shoes that unlace quickly to move through security faster.
  • TSA PreCheck membership costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets you keep shoes on at participating airports.
  • Children under 12 and adults over 75 can keep shoes on during standard screening at most airports.

Who does not have to remove their shoes

Children under 12 years old can keep their shoes on during standard TSA screening. The rule applies to any child who has not yet turned 12, regardless of shoe type or size. A parent or guardian must still remove their own shoes.

Travelers age 75 and older can also keep shoes on at most airports. This exemption is part of TSA's Simplified Screening for Seniors program. You do not need to register in advance — just tell the officer your age when you reach the checkpoint.

TSA PreCheck members keep their shoes on at any airport where PreCheck screening is available, which includes most major U.S. airports. PreCheck also lets you leave laptops and liquids in your bag and keep your belt and light jacket on. The membership costs $78 to $85 for five years and requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center.

What happens to your shoes during screening

After you remove your shoes, place them in a bin on the conveyor belt. They will go through the X-ray machine along with your carry-on bag and other items. The officer monitoring the X-ray screen can see inside your shoes to check for prohibited items or threats.

Your shoes stay in the bin the entire time they are in the machine. You will see them come out the other side on the conveyor belt. Pick them up after you have passed through the metal detector or body scanner and moved past the checkpoint officer.

If the X-ray image is unclear, an officer may ask you to remove your shoes again for a physical inspection. This happens occasionally with thick-soled shoes, boots with metal buckles, or shoes with unusual construction. The inspection takes less than a minute.

How to move through security faster with shoes

Wear slip-on shoes or shoes that unlace quickly. Lace-up sneakers and boots take longer to remove and put back on than loafers, slides, or shoes with elastic. Many travelers change into slip-ons on travel days specifically to speed up the checkpoint process.

Wear socks or go barefoot if you prefer not to walk on the checkpoint floor. Some people remove their socks along with their shoes to avoid contact with the ground, but this is optional. The checkpoint floor is cleaned regularly but is not sterile.

Have your shoes ready to remove before you reach the officer. Start unlacing or preparing to slip them off while you are in line, so you can place them in the bin when ready when the officer directs you to do so. This small step saves time, especially during busy travel periods.

Shoes that may trigger extra screening

Thick-soled shoes, work boots, and hiking boots often require a second look because the X-ray image cannot see through the sole clearly. The officer may ask you to remove them again for a physical inspection or may run a swab test on the sole to check for explosive residue.

Shoes with metal components — buckles, chains, metal-tipped heels, or reinforced toes — can trigger the metal detector or show up as unclear shapes on the X-ray. Metal-studded boots and shoes with metal shanks fall into this category. You will still pass through security, but the process may take longer.

Shoes with unusual construction, hidden compartments, or thick padding may also require a second inspection. This includes orthopedic shoes, custom insoles, or shoes with built-in arch supports that show up as dense areas on the X-ray. The officer will explain what they are checking and why.

What you cannot bring in your shoes

You cannot carry prohibited items inside your shoes through the checkpoint. TSA officers can see inside shoes on the X-ray and will remove any item that is not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage. Common prohibited items include lighters, sharp objects, tools, and certain medications in liquid or gel form.

Money, jewelry, and other valuables should not be hidden in shoes. If an officer finds them, they will confiscate them or require you to place them in your carry-on bag. It is safer and faster to keep valuables in your pockets or bag where you can account for them.

Medications in liquid or gel form, including creams and ointments, must follow the 3.4-ounce liquid rule even if you keep them in your shoes. If you are carrying more than 3.4 ounces, it must go in checked baggage. Solid medications and pills can travel in carry-on or checked baggage without restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear sandals or flip-flops through TSA security?

Yes. Sandals and flip-flops must still be removed and placed in the bin, but they are quick to take off and put back on. Many travelers wear sandals specifically because they speed up the checkpoint process. You will still need to remove them even though they are minimal footwear.

What if I have a medical condition that makes it painful to remove my shoes?

Tell the TSA officer about your condition before screening begins. They may allow you to keep your shoes on and instead perform a physical inspection or additional screening. Bring documentation of your condition if you have it, though officers can make exceptions based on what you tell them.

Do I have to remove my shoes if I am wearing socks with holes in them?

Yes, you still must remove your shoes. The condition of your socks does not change the rule. Many people wear older socks on travel days or bring clean socks to change into after they pass through security if they are concerned about this.

Can I put my shoes back on before I leave the security area?

Yes. You can put your shoes on as soon as you have cleared the checkpoint and are past the final officer. You do not have to wait until you reach the gate or a seating area. Most people put their shoes on when ready after picking them up from the conveyor belt.

What happens if I refuse to remove my shoes?

You will not be allowed to pass through security. TSA officers cannot let you proceed without following the screening rules. If you refuse, you will have to leave the checkpoint and will not be able to board your flight.