Liquids, gels, and aerosols have a strict limit of 3.4 ounces per container
The TSA's 3-1-1 rule sets a hard limit: each container of liquid, gel, or aerosol can hold no more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). This applies to items like shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, peanut butter, yogurt, and anything else that flows or spreads. One container of 3.4 ounces is allowed; a container of 3.5 ounces will be confiscated.
All containers must fit into a single quart-sized clear plastic bag—roughly 7 inches by 8 inches. You can pack one bag per person. If you have five 3.4-ounce bottles of lotion, they all go in the same bag, and the bag goes in your carry-on. Checked bags have no ounce limit on liquids and gels, so if you need full-size bottles, pack them below the plane instead.
Solid items—deodorant sticks, lip balm, peanut butter, cream cheese, butter—do not count as liquids under the 3-1-1 rule, even if they are soft. A full-size stick of deodorant or a jar of peanut butter can go in your carry-on without restriction. The distinction is whether the item flows or spreads at room temperature.
Key Takeaways
- Liquids, gels, and aerosols in carry-on bags are limited to 3.4 ounces per container, and all containers must fit in one quart-sized clear plastic bag.
- Solid items like deodorant sticks, lip balm, and peanut butter have no ounce limit in carry-on bags because they are not classified as liquids.
- Checked bags have no ounce restrictions on liquids or gels, so full-size bottles can go in luggage that travels in the cargo hold.
- Common items that count as liquids include shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, toothpaste, lotion, yogurt, and honey.
- If you are unsure whether an item is a liquid, the TSA website has a searchable database of thousands of products.
What counts as a liquid under TSA rules
The TSA defines liquids broadly to include anything that flows, pours, or spreads. This covers obvious items like water, juice, and soup, but also less obvious ones: honey, peanut butter, yogurt, jam, and hummus all count as liquids. Aerosols—spray bottles of deodorant, hairspray, or sunscreen—count too. Gels include toothpaste, hair gel, and aloe vera.
Creams and ointments are liquids under TSA rules. This includes moisturizer, sunscreen, lip balm if it is in a pot (not a stick), and any salve or cream. If you can squeeze it or spread it, it is treated as a liquid for the 3-1-1 rule.
Powders are not liquids. Powder sunscreen, powder deodorant, face powder, and talc powder have no ounce limit in carry-on bags. The same applies to solid cosmetics: eyeshadow palettes, blush, and pressed powder can be any size.
How to pack liquids for the security checkpoint
Before you arrive at the checkpoint, remove your quart-sized bag from your carry-on and have it ready. The TSA will ask you to place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt separately so it can be screened. This speeds up the process and reduces the chance of a container being flagged.
Label your containers clearly if they are not already labeled. A bottle labeled "shampoo" moves through screening faster than an unlabeled one. If a container is leaking, seal it in a plastic bag before packing it in your quart bag.
If you are traveling with a child, the same 3-1-1 rule applies to baby formula, breast milk, and juice. These are exceptions to the normal liquid rule—you can bring more than 3.4 ounces of formula or breast milk if you declare it at the checkpoint. Bring it in your carry-on, not your checked bag, so you can access it during the flight.
Items that are often misunderstood
Solid deodorant sticks, even soft ones, do not count as liquids and have no ounce limit. A full-size stick of antiperspirant can go in your carry-on. Spray deodorant and gel deodorant, however, are aerosols and gels—they must follow the 3.4-ounce rule.
Peanut butter, almond butter, and other nut butters are classified as liquids by the TSA because they spread. A 16-ounce jar cannot go in your carry-on; you must pack it in checked luggage or buy a small 3.4-ounce container. The same applies to Nutella, honey, and jam.
Solid chocolate, candy, and food items that do not flow are not liquids. You can pack a full-size chocolate bar, granola bar, or cheese in your carry-on. Wet foods like yogurt, pudding, or soup must follow the 3.4-ounce rule.
Checked baggage has different rules
Liquids, gels, and aerosols in checked bags are not subject to the 3-1-1 rule. You can pack full-size bottles of shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, and other liquids in your checked luggage without restriction. There is no ounce limit and no need for a quart-sized bag.
However, some items are forbidden in checked bags entirely, regardless of size. Flammable liquids like lighter fluid, paint thinner, and some nail polish removers cannot go in checked or carry-on bags. Aerosol cans of certain types—like some insecticides—are also prohibited. The TSA website lists prohibited items by category.
If you are checking a bag and want to avoid any hassle, pack all your liquids there instead of your carry-on. This eliminates the need to measure containers or worry about the quart-sized bag at the checkpoint.
International flights and other countries' rules
The 3-1-1 rule applies to flights departing from U.S. airports, including connecting flights. If you are flying from the United States to another country, your carry-on liquids must follow the 3.4-ounce limit through the U.S. checkpoint.
Other countries have their own rules. The European Union, Canada, and Australia have similar restrictions—usually 3.4 ounces per container in a clear bag. However, some countries are stricter or have different rules for specific items. Before you travel internationally, check the rules of the country you are departing from and any countries where you will connect.
If you are connecting through a U.S. airport on an international flight, you will go through U.S. security screening. Any liquids you purchase after that checkpoint in a duty-free shop can go in your carry-on for the next flight, as long as they are in a sealed duty-free bag.
How to learn about a specific item is allowed
The TSA has a searchable database called "What Can I Bring?" on its website. Type in the name of any item—sunscreen, peanut butter, contact solution, whatever you are unsure about—and the database tells you whether it is allowed in carry-on bags, checked bags, or both. It also explains the rules for that specific item.
If the item is not in the database or you want to be certain, you can ask the TSA directly on social media or through its website. The TSA responds to questions about specific items, and the answer is usually faster than you expect.
When in doubt, pack questionable items in your checked bag. Liquids in checked luggage are almost never a problem, and you avoid the risk of having something confiscated at the checkpoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full-size bottle of shampoo in my carry-on?
No. A full-size bottle is typically 8 to 16 ounces, which exceeds the 3.4-ounce limit. You must either pack it in your checked bag or buy a travel-size container of 3.4 ounces or smaller for your carry-on.
Do I need to remove my quart-sized bag at security if I only have one small container?
Yes. The TSA requires all liquids to be in a quart-sized bag and removed for screening, regardless of how many containers you have. This is part of the standard screening process.
Can I bring toothpaste in my carry-on?
Yes, if it is 3.4 ounces or smaller. Most travel-size toothpaste tubes are 0.85 to 1.5 ounces, so they fit easily. Standard full-size tubes are usually 5 to 6 ounces and must go in checked luggage.
What happens if I forget to pack my liquids in a quart-sized bag?
The TSA officer will ask you to remove the liquids from your carry-on. If they fit in a quart-sized bag, you can usually pack them on the spot. If you do not have a bag, the officer may confiscate the items or allow you to check your bag instead.
Are there any liquids I can bring more than 3.4 ounces of in my carry-on?
Yes. Baby formula, breast milk, and juice for a child are exceptions—you can bring more than 3.4 ounces if you declare them at the checkpoint. Medications in liquid form are also exempt if they are for your personal use and you declare them.