The 3.4-ounce limit per container, 1 quart bag total

You can bring liquids, gels, and aerosols through a TSA checkpoint only if each container holds 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) or less. All containers must fit inside a single clear plastic bag that holds no more than 1 quart total. You remove this bag at security and place it in a bin for screening.

This rule applies to carry-on bags only. Checked luggage has no liquid restrictions. The 3.4-ounce limit is per container, not per type of liquid — so you could theoretically bring ten 3-ounce bottles of shampoo if they all fit in your quart bag, though in practice the bag fills up fast.

The rule covers anything that flows, spreads, or sprays: toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, peanut butter, yogurt, honey, jam, and hand sanitizer all count. Solid items like lipstick, solid deodorant, or a bar of soap do not.

Key Takeaways

  • Each liquid, gel, or aerosol container must be 3.4 ounces or smaller to pass through security in your carry-on bag.
  • All containers together must fit inside one clear quart-sized plastic bag, which you remove at the checkpoint.
  • Checked baggage has no liquid limits, so pack full-size bottles there instead.
  • Solid items like bar soap, solid deodorant, and lipstick are not restricted and do not need to go in the bag.
  • The TSA provides free quart-sized bags at checkpoints, or you can bring your own clear plastic bag.

What counts as a liquid, gel, or aerosol

The TSA groups liquids, gels, and aerosols together because they all pose the same screening challenge. Liquids include water, juice, coffee, and any beverage. Gels include toothpaste, hair gel, and lotion. Aerosols include spray deodorant, spray sunscreen, and shaving cream.

Peanut butter, hummus, yogurt, and other spreadable foods count as gels. Honey, jam, and syrup count as liquids. Mascara and liquid eyeliner count as liquids. If you are unsure whether something will be allowed, the TSA website has a searchable tool where you can type the item name and see the rule.

Solid items pass through with no restrictions. A solid stick of deodorant, a bar of soap, a solid perfume, or a lipstick stick can go in your carry-on bag without measurement or bagging. Powders — including makeup powder, protein powder, and talc — are also allowed in carry-on bags, though TSA officers may open and test them at security.

How to pack your liquids bag correctly

Buy or collect a clear plastic bag that holds approximately 1 quart. A quart bag is roughly 7 inches by 8 inches. Place all your liquid, gel, and aerosol containers inside, making sure each one is 3.4 ounces or smaller. Seal the bag.

At the checkpoint, remove the bag from your carry-on and place it in a bin by itself or with other items the officer asks you to remove. Do not open the bag unless an officer asks you to. After screening, you can put the bag back in your carry-on or in your personal item.

If you do not have a bag, TSA checkpoints provide them free. You can also bring a sandwich bag or any clear plastic bag you have at home, as long as it closes and holds roughly 1 quart. The bag does not have to be a branded TSA bag.

Exceptions and items that bypass the rule

Medications in liquid form — including insulin, liquid vitamins, and cough syrup — do not count toward the 3.4-ounce limit and do not have to go in the quart bag. Tell the TSA officer that you are carrying medication before screening begins. You may be asked to open the container for inspection.

Baby formula, breast milk, and juice for a baby or small child are also exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule. You do not need to place them in the quart bag. Inform the officer that you are traveling with these items.

Duty-free liquids purchased after you pass through security — including alcohol and perfume — can go in your carry-on bag in any quantity, as long as they are in a sealed bag from the duty-free shop. Do not open the bag before boarding. If you open it, the contents become subject to the 3.4-ounce rule for any remaining flight segments.

What happens if you forget and bring a larger container

If a TSA officer finds a container larger than 3.4 ounces at the checkpoint, you have three options: leave it behind, check it in your luggage if you have time, or throw it away. You cannot bring it through security. Most travelers choose to throw it away rather than delay their trip.

TSA does not charge a fee or issue a citation for a single oversized container. The officer will straightforward remove it. If you are traveling with multiple violations or other prohibited items, the situation may escalate, but a single forgotten bottle of shampoo will not cause problems.

Packing liquids in checked baggage instead

Checked luggage has no restrictions on liquid quantity or container size. You can pack full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, and other toiletries in your checked bag without measurement or bagging. This is the easiest option if you need full-size products for a longer trip.

Fragile liquid containers should be wrapped in clothing or placed in a padded bag to prevent breakage during handling. Some airlines charge fees for checked bags, so factor that into your decision about whether to check liquids or buy travel-size containers at your destination.

If you are checking a bag and also carrying on a bag, you can split your liquids: travel-size containers in your carry-on quart bag, and full-size bottles in your checked luggage.

International flights and different country rules

The 3.4-ounce, 1-quart rule applies to flights departing from the United States. If you are flying internationally, the same rule applies when you depart the U.S., even if your final destination is outside the country.

Other countries have their own rules. The European Union, Canada, Australia, and other nations follow the same 100-millilitre (3.4-ounce) limit. If you are connecting through another country's airport, you may encounter different screening procedures, but the liquid limit is usually similar.

When you land in another country and repack your bag for a connecting flight, check that country's rules before heading to the next security checkpoint. Some countries are stricter about what counts as a liquid or how the bag must be packed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a full water bottle through security if I fill it after the checkpoint?

Yes. You cannot bring a full water bottle through security, but you can bring an empty bottle and fill it at a water fountain or refill station after you pass the checkpoint. Many airports have refill stations near gates specifically for this purpose.

Do solid deodorant and spray deodorant have different rules?

Yes. Solid stick deodorant is not restricted and does not go in your quart bag. Spray deodorant is an aerosol and must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and placed in your quart bag. If you use spray deodorant, buy a travel-size version or pack your full-size bottle in checked luggage.

What if my toothpaste tube says 5.1 ounces but is mostly empty?

The rule is based on the container size, not how much product is actually inside. A 5.1-ounce tube is not allowed in carry-on, even if it is nearly empty. You must use a tube labeled 3.4 ounces or smaller, or pack the larger tube in your checked bag.

Can I bring multiple quart bags if I have a lot of liquids?

No. You are limited to one quart-sized bag per person. If your liquids do not fit in one bag, you must either check some items or leave them behind. Packing a second bag will result in the officer asking you to remove items until everything fits in one bag.

Do I need to remove my liquids bag if I have TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck members do not have to remove their liquids bag at security. You can leave it in your carry-on and send the bag through the scanner with your other items. This is one of the main conveniences of TSA PreCheck membership.