The 3.4-ounce liquid rule at airport security
You can bring liquids, gels, and aerosols through TSA security only if each container holds 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. This limit applies to each individual item, not to your total amount. A 3.4-ounce bottle of shampoo is allowed; a 4-ounce bottle is not, even if you only plan to use part of it.
These containers must fit inside a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. You remove the bag at security and place it in the bin with your shoes and electronics. The TSA officer will X-ray it separately. You can pack larger bottles in your checked luggage with no ounce restriction.
The rule covers anything that flows, spreads, or sprays: toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, cologne, deodorant, peanut butter, yogurt, honey, and jam all count as liquids under TSA rules, even if they are thick or solid at room temperature.
Key Takeaways
- Each liquid, gel, or aerosol container in your carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller.
- All containers must fit inside one quart-sized clear plastic bag, which you remove at security.
- Thick or solid items like peanut butter, cream cheese, and sunscreen count as liquids under TSA rules.
- You can pack full-size bottles of liquids in checked luggage with no ounce limit.
- Powders in containers larger than 12 ounces may be opened and tested at security, so smaller containers move faster.
What counts as a liquid at airport security
The TSA defines liquids broadly to include anything that is not a solid or powder. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion are obvious examples. Less obvious items that still count: mascara, liquid eyeliner, foundation, concealer, lip gloss, and nail polish. Perfume and cologne are liquids. Sunscreen, even thick cream sunscreen, is a liquid.
Food items that are liquid or gel-like also count: peanut butter, almond butter, hummus, yogurt, jam, jelly, honey, maple syrup, and pesto all require the 3.4-ounce container limit in carry-on bags. Solid foods like cheese, chocolate bars, and crackers do not count as liquids and have no ounce restriction.
Aerosols—anything in a spray can—count as liquids even if the container is small. A 2-ounce spray deodorant is allowed; a 5-ounce spray deodorant is not. Shaving cream, hair spray, and insect repellent in aerosol form all follow the 3.4-ounce rule.
How to pack liquids for the security line
Buy or bring a clear quart-sized plastic bag. A quart is 32 ounces by volume, but you are not filling it to the top—you are fitting your 3.4-ounce containers inside it. The bag must be clear so the officer can see inside without opening it.
Place each 3.4-ounce container in the bag. You can fit multiple containers as long as each one is 3.4 ounces or smaller and they all fit inside the bag without forcing it closed. Seal the bag. At security, remove the bag from your carry-on before you reach the scanner, and place it in the bin with your shoes, belt, and electronics.
The officer will X-ray the bag. If everything looks correct, you repack it into your carry-on and move forward. If a container looks larger than 3.4 ounces or the officer cannot tell the size, they may open it and measure it. Containers with labels clearly showing the ounce or milliliter amount move through faster because the officer can verify the size without opening them.
Powders and solid items with no ounce limit
Powders—including makeup powder, protein powder, baby powder, and powdered sugar—do not have a 3.4-ounce limit. You can bring any amount of powder in your carry-on bag. However, if a powder container is larger than 12 ounces, the TSA may open it and test it at security to confirm it is actually powder and not a concealed liquid or gel.
Solid foods and non-liquid items have no ounce restriction in carry-on bags. You can bring full-size jars of peanut butter, but only if they are checked luggage. In carry-on, peanut butter counts as a liquid and must be 3.4 ounces or less. Solid chocolate, cheese, bread, fruit, and vegetables have no limit and do not need to go in the liquid bag.
Medications in liquid or gel form (like liquid ibuprofen or gel capsules) are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit if you declare them to the officer. Bring them in a separate bag from your other liquids and tell the officer they are medications. You do not need a prescription, but having one makes the process faster.
What happens if a container is over 3.4 ounces
If the TSA officer finds a container larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on bag, they will not allow it through security. You have three options: throw it away, check it in your luggage if you have time to go back to the ticket counter, or leave it with a friend or family member who is not traveling.
The officer will not measure the liquid inside or give you a chance to use some of it to get under the limit. The rule is based on container size, not how full it is. A half-empty 5-ounce bottle is still not allowed. Many travelers throw away expensive products at security because they did not check the ounce size before packing.
To avoid this, measure or read the label on every liquid container before you pack. If you are unsure whether something counts as a liquid, ask the officer when you reach security rather than packing it and hoping. They can tell you when ready whether it is allowed.
Checked luggage has no ounce limit for liquids
Anything you pack in a checked bag—the bag that goes under the plane—can be any size. You can bring full-size bottles of shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, cologne, and food items with no ounce restriction. This is the best option if you want to travel with your regular-size products without buying travel sizes.
Pack liquids in the center of your checked bag, surrounded by clothes or towels, so they do not leak onto other items if a bottle breaks during handling. Some travelers wrap bottles in plastic bags or place them in a separate toiletries bag inside the checked luggage for extra protection.
The only restriction on checked luggage is that certain hazardous materials—like flammable liquids, strong oxidizers, and some aerosols—are not allowed at all, even in checked bags. These are rare for typical travel items, but if you are packing something unusual, check the TSA website or ask at the ticket counter before you check your bag.
International flights and different country rules
The 3.4-ounce rule applies to flights departing from U.S. airports, regardless of your destination. If you are flying from the United States to another country, follow the 3.4-ounce limit through U.S. security.
If you are flying from another country to the United States, that country's security rules explore at departure. Many countries follow the same 3.4-ounce limit, but some have different rules. Check the security rules for the airport where you are departing before you pack. When you arrive in the United States and go through U.S. security (if you are connecting), the 3.4-ounce rule applies again.
If you buy liquids in a duty-free shop after passing through security, you can bring them on the plane in your carry-on, even if they are larger than 3.4 ounces. The shop will place them in a sealed bag with a receipt. Keep the bag sealed and do not open it until after you land.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full-size deodorant stick in my carry-on?
Yes, if it is a solid stick deodorant. Solid deodorant is not a liquid and has no ounce limit. Spray deodorant and gel deodorant count as liquids and must be 3.4 ounces or smaller. Check the label or the product type before you pack.
What if my toothpaste tube says 5.1 ounces but it is mostly empty?
It is not allowed. The TSA measures by container size, not by how much product is inside. A half-empty 5-ounce tube will be confiscated. Buy a travel-size tube (3.4 ounces or smaller) or pack your regular tube in checked luggage.
Do I need to remove the liquid bag if I have TSA PreCheck?
No. TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, but they still must remove the liquid bag and place it in the bin. The 3.4-ounce rule applies to all passengers.
Can I bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it after?
Yes. An empty bottle has no liquid in it, so it is allowed through security. Fill it at a water fountain or bottle-filling station after you pass through the checkpoint. Many airports have these stations near the gates.
What if I forgot my liquids are in my carry-on and reach security?
Tell the officer when ready. If the containers are 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a quart-sized bag, you can repack them and go through. If they are too large, you will have to throw them away or check your bag if there is time. It is faster to check your bag than to throw away expensive items.