Where to find your TSA PreCheck or Known Traveler Number

Your TSA PreCheck number — also called your Known Traveler Number or KTN — appears on your approval letter, in your TSA PreCheck account online, and on your actual TSA PreCheck card if you received a physical one. The fastest way to retrieve it is to log into your TSA PreCheck account at universalenroll.dhs.gov using your email and password. Your number will display on your account dashboard.

If you cannot access your online account, check your email for the approval letter TSA sent when your PreCheck was granted. That letter contains your number in the body of the message or as a separate document. If you have the physical TSA PreCheck card, your number is printed on the front.

For those who enrolled in person at an enrollment center, you may have received a temporary number at the time of your appointment. That temporary number works when ready for flights, even before your card arrives in the mail.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck number is visible in your account at universalenroll.dhs.gov if you log in with your email and password.
  • The approval email TSA sent you contains your number, so check your inbox or spam folder if you cannot find it.
  • Your physical TSA PreCheck card displays the number on its front, and you can use it to look up the number if you have the card in hand.
  • If you received a temporary number at an enrollment center appointment, that number is valid for flights right away.

Logging into your TSA PreCheck account online

Go to universalenroll.dhs.gov and select "Sign In" at the top right. Enter the email address you used when you enrolled and your password. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot Password" and follow the steps to reset it using your email.

Once you are logged in, your account dashboard will show your process status and your Known Traveler Number. The number is typically displayed prominently near the top of the page. Write it down or take a screenshot for your records.

If your account shows "process Pending" or "Conditional Approval," your number may not yet be visible. In that case, check back in a few days or contact the enrollment center where you applied for a status update.

Checking your approval email from TSA

When TSA approves your PreCheck process, they send an email to the address you provided during enrollment. The subject line usually reads something like "TSA PreCheck process Approved" or "Your TSA PreCheck Status." Open that email and look for your Known Traveler Number in the body of the message or in an attached document.

If you cannot find the email, check your spam or junk folder — approval emails sometimes get filtered there. Search your email for "TSA PreCheck" or "Known Traveler Number" to locate it faster. If you still cannot find it, log into your online account instead, which is the more reliable method.

Using your TSA PreCheck card to find your number

If you received a physical TSA PreCheck card in the mail, your Known Traveler Number is printed on the front of the card. It appears below your name and is typically a 10-digit number. You can read it directly from the card whenever you need it.

Keep your card in a safe place, but know that you do not need the physical card to use TSA PreCheck at the airport. Your number alone is enough — you can enter it when you book a flight or add it to your airline profile, and you will receive PreCheck benefits at security.

What to do if you cannot locate your number

If you have looked in your email, checked your online account, and do not have your physical card, contact the TSA PreCheck enrollment center where you applied. You can find the center's phone number by visiting the TSA website and searching for enrollment centers in your area. Have your name, date of birth, and the email address you used to enroll ready when you call.

The enrollment center can confirm whether your process was approved and provide your number over the phone. They may also be able to reissue your card if it was lost or never arrived. Processing a reissue typically takes two to four weeks.

Adding your number to airline and travel accounts

Once you have your Known Traveler Number, add it to your frequent flyer profiles with the airlines you fly most often. Log into each airline's website, go to your profile settings, and look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "TSA PreCheck," or "Security Information." Paste your number there and save.

You can also enter your number when you book a flight. During the booking process, most airlines ask for your Known Traveler Number in the passenger information section. Entering it at booking ensures TSA PreCheck appears on your boarding pass, which is what TSA officers look for at security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forgot the email address I used to enroll?

Contact the enrollment center where you applied with your name and date of birth. They can look up your account and either confirm your email or help you reset it. You may need to provide a government-issued ID to verify your identity.

Is my Known Traveler Number the same as my TSA PreCheck number?

Yes. Known Traveler Number and TSA PreCheck number are the same thing — different names for the same 10-digit identifier. You will see both terms used on TSA websites and by airlines.

Can I use my TSA PreCheck number before my card arrives?

Yes. Your number is active as soon as your process is approved, even if your physical card has not arrived yet. You can enter it when booking flights or add it to your airline profile when ready.

What if my approval email says I have a temporary number?

A temporary number works for flights right away. Your permanent number will be included in a follow-up email or will appear in your online account once your background check is fully complete. Both numbers work the same way at the airport.

Do I need my TSA PreCheck number to go through security?

You do not need to show your number at security — TSA officers look for it on your boarding pass. As long as your number is on your ticket, you will be directed to the TSA PreCheck lane. The airline adds it to your boarding pass when you have entered it in your booking or profile.