The 3.4-ounce limit per container, 1 quart bag total
You can bring liquids, gels, and aerosols through TSA security in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller. All containers must fit inside a single clear plastic bag that holds about 1 quart total. This is the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, and it applies to every passenger at every U.S. airport.
The limit is per container, not per item type. You can pack multiple 3.4-ounce bottles of shampoo, sunscreen, toothpaste, or any other liquid—as long as each individual bottle is 3.4 ounces or less and they all fit in one quart-sized bag. Once you pass through security, you can buy full-size bottles and bring them on the plane in your carry-on.
Containers larger than 3.4 ounces will be confiscated at the checkpoint, even if they are mostly empty. TSA agents measure by container size, not by how much liquid is actually inside. A half-empty 5-ounce bottle of lotion will be taken from you.
Key Takeaways
- Each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller to pass through security.
- All containers together must fit inside one clear quart-sized plastic bag—the bag itself is the limit, not each item.
- Containers larger than 3.4 ounces will be removed at the checkpoint regardless of how full they are.
- You can pack multiple 3.4-ounce bottles of the same product as long as they fit in the quart bag.
- After you clear security, you can purchase full-size bottles and bring them on the plane in your carry-on bag.
What counts as a liquid under the 3.4-ounce rule
The TSA defines liquids broadly to include anything that flows, spreads, or sprays. This covers obvious items like water, juice, and shampoo, but also includes less obvious ones: yogurt, peanut butter, honey, jam, cream cheese, deodorant, mascara, lip gloss, and sunscreen. Aerosol cans (deodorant spray, hairspray, sunscreen spray) count as liquids too.
Solid items do not count. Solid deodorant, bar soap, solid perfume, chapstick, and toothpaste tablets can be packed in any amount. Gels sit in a gray area—some gels like hair gel or aloe vera gel count as liquids, while others like solid gel deodorant do not. When in doubt, pack the item in your quart bag as if it were a liquid.
Medications and medical devices have different rules. You can bring liquid medications in containers larger than 3.4 ounces if you declare them at security. Inhalers, EpiPens, and other medical devices are also exempt from the liquid limit, but tell the TSA officer before you go through the scanner.
How to pack your quart-sized bag correctly
Use a clear plastic bag roughly the size of a quart of milk—about 7 inches by 8 inches. You can buy pre-made TSA-compliant bags at most drugstores, or use any clear plastic bag you have at home as long as it closes and fits the approximate dimensions. The bag must be clear so TSA officers can see inside without opening it.
Place all your 3.4-ounce containers inside the bag and seal it completely. Arrange them so nothing is stacked so tightly that an officer cannot see each bottle. At the checkpoint, remove the bag from your carry-on and place it in a bin by itself—do not leave it in your bag. TSA officers will scan it separately.
Pack your quart bag last, on top of everything else in your carry-on. This makes it straightforward to remove quickly at security. If you forget to remove it, the officer will ask you to do so, and you will slow down the line behind you. Some airports have bins and trays at the security line specifically for these bags, so watch for signs.
Common items that exceed the limit
Full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion are almost always larger than 3.4 ounces. A standard travel-size shampoo is usually 2 ounces, while a regular bottle is 8 to 16 ounces. Sunscreen bottles are typically 4 to 8 ounces. Toothpaste tubes are usually 4.6 to 6 ounces. None of these can go through security in their standard sizes.
Perfume and cologne bottles vary widely. A small spray bottle might be 1 ounce, but most are 3 ounces or larger. Check the label before packing. Hairspray cans are almost always larger than 3.4 ounces. Deodorant spray is often 3.8 ounces or more, just over the limit.
Peanut butter, jam, honey, and other spreads in jars or squeeze bottles count as liquids. A standard jar of peanut butter is 16 ounces and will be confiscated. You can bring small travel-size jars if you find them, or pack these items in checked luggage instead.
What happens if your container is too large
TSA officers will remove any container larger than 3.4 ounces at the security checkpoint. You will not be charged a fee, but you will lose the item. The officer will place it in a bin, and you will not see it again. There is no way to retrieve it later.
If you have a container you are unsure about, ask the officer before you put your bag through the scanner. They can tell you whether it counts as a liquid and whether the size is acceptable. It is better to ask than to have it taken after you have already unpacked your bag.
Some airports have amnesty bins near the security entrance where you can throw away items before you reach the checkpoint. If you realize you have something too large, you can dispose of it there instead of having it confiscated. This is useful if you forgot to check the size of a bottle you packed.
Packing liquids in checked luggage instead
If you want to bring full-size bottles, pack them in your checked bag instead of your carry-on. There is no ounce limit for liquids in checked luggage, but there are rules about how they must be packed. Bottles must be in leak-proof containers, and they should be wrapped in plastic or placed in a sealed bag so they do not damage other items if they leak during handling.
Some items are forbidden in checked luggage entirely, regardless of size. Aerosol cans, including spray deodorant and hairspray, cannot go in checked bags on most airlines. Flammable liquids like nail polish and nail polish remover are also prohibited. Check your airline's website for their specific rules before you pack.
Checked luggage takes longer to get to you, and bags can be delayed or lost. If you need your toiletries right away, packing them in carry-on in 3.4-ounce sizes is faster. You can also buy travel-size bottles at your destination or at the airport after you clear security.
Buying liquids after security
Once you pass through the TSA checkpoint, you can buy any size bottle of water, juice, shampoo, sunscreen, or other liquid and bring it on the plane. Most airports have shops, pharmacies, and food vendors past security where you can purchase these items. Prices are higher than stores outside the airport, but you avoid the hassle of packing small containers.
If you are traveling to a destination where you will need sunscreen or other liquids, buying a travel-size bottle at home and packing it in your quart bag is usually cheaper than buying it at the airport. But if you forget something or run out, airport shops are convenient.
International flights have the same 3.4-ounce rule for liquids in carry-on bags. If you are connecting through a U.S. airport, you can buy liquids at the first airport and bring them on your connecting flight, as long as you do not leave the find area. If you exit security at a connection, you will need to repack liquids into 3.4-ounce containers for the next flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full water bottle through security?
No, you cannot bring a full water bottle through TSA security. You can bring an empty reusable bottle and fill it at a water fountain after you clear security, or you can buy a bottle of water past the checkpoint. Many airports have water refill stations specifically for this purpose.
Do I need to remove my quart bag from my carry-on at security?
Yes. Remove your quart bag and place it in a bin by itself before your carry-on goes through the X-ray machine. The officer will scan it separately. This speeds up the process and makes it easier for them to see what is inside.
What if my toothpaste is 4.6 ounces but mostly empty?
TSA measures by container size, not by how much product is inside. A 4.6-ounce tube will be confiscated even if it is half empty. Buy a travel-size tube (usually 1 to 2 ounces) or pack your regular tube in checked luggage instead.
Can I bring multiple 3.4-ounce bottles of the same product?
Yes, as long as they all fit inside your quart-sized bag. You could pack two or three 3.4-ounce bottles of shampoo if they fit, though most bags hold about four to six 3.4-ounce containers comfortably depending on their shape.
Are solid deodorants subject to the 3.4-ounce limit?
No. Solid deodorant is not a liquid and does not count toward the 3.4-ounce limit. Deodorant spray or gel does count as a liquid. If you use solid deodorant, you can pack a full-size stick in your carry-on without restriction.