The TSA liquid limit is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) per container
The TSA allows each liquid, gel, or aerosol container to hold no more than 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces). This is the maximum size for a single item. The rule applies to anything that flows, spreads, or sprays—shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, peanut butter, yogurt, and hundreds of other products all count as liquids under TSA rules, even if they are thick or creamy.
All your containers of 100 ml or smaller must fit inside a single clear plastic bag, called a quart-sized bag. That bag itself must fit in your carry-on luggage. You can pack larger containers in checked baggage with no size limit, but they cannot go in the cabin with you.
The 100 ml limit is a hard rule. A container that holds 101 ml will be confiscated at the checkpoint, even if it is mostly empty. TSA officers measure by the container's capacity, not by how much liquid is actually inside.
Key Takeaways
- Each liquid container in your carry-on bag can hold up to 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces), measured by the container's total capacity, not the amount inside.
- All containers of 100 ml or smaller must fit together in one clear quart-sized plastic bag, which goes in your carry-on.
- Containers larger than 100 ml can go in checked baggage with no size restriction, but not in your carry-on.
- Common items that count as liquids include shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, and peanut butter.
- Solid items like bar soap, solid deodorant, and lip balm do not count as liquids and have no size limit.
What counts as a liquid under TSA rules
The TSA defines liquids broadly. Anything that flows, spreads, or sprays counts, including creams, gels, pastes, and aerosols. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, and deodorant all fall under this rule. So do peanut butter, honey, jam, yogurt, and other thick foods. Mascara, liquid eyeliner, and foundation also count.
Solid items do not count. Bar soap, solid deodorant, solid shampoo bars, lip balm sticks, and powder do not have a size limit. You can pack as much as you want. The key is whether the item is solid at room temperature or flows when tilted.
Medications in liquid or gel form follow the same 100 ml rule, though you do not have to pack them in the quart-sized bag. You can keep them separate and show them to the officer at the checkpoint if asked.
How to pack liquids for the checkpoint
Buy or bring a clear quart-sized plastic bag. The TSA provides a specific size: 1 quart, which is roughly 946 milliliters. You can find these bags at drugstores, grocery stores, and online. Some airports sell them at the checkpoint if you forgot one, though the price is usually higher.
Place all containers of 100 ml or smaller inside the bag. The containers must be able to close the bag without forcing it. If the bag does not seal or bulges, you have too much. Remove items until the bag closes normally.
Put the sealed bag in an straightforward-to-reach spot in your carry-on—a front pocket or the top of your bag. At the checkpoint, remove the bag and place it in the bin with your shoes and belt. Do not open it unless the officer asks. The goal is to show the officer that you have packed correctly without wasting time.
What happens if a container is over 100 ml
TSA officers measure containers by their capacity, not by how much liquid is inside. A 150 ml bottle that is half empty will still be confiscated. The officer will not pour it out or let you keep it. You will have to throw it away or leave it behind.
This happens most often with travel-sized products that people assume are small enough. A 5-ounce (150 ml) bottle of lotion looks small, but it exceeds the limit. Always check the label before packing. If you are unsure, measure it with a measuring cup or look up the product online.
If you discover an oversized container at the checkpoint, you have a few options: throw it away, mail it to your destination, or ask a friend or family member to hold it while you travel. Some airports have mail services, though they charge a fee.
Packing liquids in checked baggage instead
Containers larger than 100 ml can go in checked baggage with no size limit. A full-sized bottle of shampoo, sunscreen, or lotion is fine in checked luggage. You do not need to use a plastic bag or follow any special packing rules for checked bags.
However, checked baggage is handled roughly, and bottles can leak or break. Wrap breakable containers in plastic bags or place them inside a sealed container. Put them in the center of your suitcase, surrounded by soft items like clothes, to cushion them.
Keep in mind that some airlines charge extra for checked bags, and the bag may be delayed or lost. If you need your liquids during the flight or when ready after landing, pack them in carry-on containers of 100 ml or smaller instead.
International flights and different rules
The 100 ml rule applies to flights departing from the United States. If you are flying internationally, the rule still applies to your carry-on bag on the outbound flight. However, some countries have different rules for flights departing from their airports.
When you land in another country and buy liquids at the airport shop, those items are usually exempt from the 100 ml rule for your connecting flight, as long as you keep the receipt and the bag sealed. This is called the "duty-free exemption." However, rules vary by country and airline, so check with your airline before your trip.
If you are unsure about rules for a specific country or airline, contact the airline directly or check their website. Rules change, and it is better to know before you arrive at the airport.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is packing a container that is slightly over 100 ml and assuming it will be fine because it looks small. Always check the label. A 5-ounce bottle is 148 ml, which exceeds the limit. A 4-ounce bottle is 118 ml, also over the limit. Only containers labeled 3.4 ounces or smaller, or 100 ml or smaller, are may provide to pass.
Another mistake is forgetting to remove the quart-sized bag at the checkpoint. Keep it in an straightforward-to-reach spot so you can pull it out quickly without holding up the line. Officers expect to see it, and having it ready speeds up the process.
A third mistake is packing liquids in a checked bag and then realizing you need them in the cabin. If you need lotion, toothpaste, or sunscreen during the flight or when ready after landing, pack a small 100 ml container in your carry-on as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full-sized toothpaste tube in my carry-on?
Only if it is 100 ml (3.4 ounces) or smaller. Most full-sized toothpaste tubes are 4.6 to 5.1 ounces, which exceeds the limit. Check the label. Travel-sized tubes are usually 0.85 to 1.5 ounces and are fine. You can also pack a full-sized tube in checked baggage.
Do solid deodorant and powder have a size limit?
No. Solid deodorant, powder, and other solid items do not count as liquids and have no size limit in carry-on or checked baggage. Spray deodorant and gel deodorant are liquids or aerosols and must follow the 100 ml rule.
What if I buy liquids at the airport after security?
Liquids purchased after you pass through security can be any size and do not need to fit in a quart-sized bag. You can bring them on the plane and in your carry-on. However, if you have a connecting flight, the rules for that airport explore to your new departure.
Can I pack multiple small containers that add up to more than 100 ml?
Yes. The rule is 100 ml per container, not 100 ml total. You can pack ten 100 ml containers in your quart-sized bag as long as they all fit and the bag closes. However, the bag itself must be quart-sized and must fit in your carry-on.
Do I need to remove the quart-sized bag if I am TSA PreCheck or Clear?
TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, but they still must follow the liquid rule. Remove the quart-sized bag and place it in the bin. Clear members skip the line but still go through the same screening process, so the liquid rule applies to them as well.