How to Add Your TSA PreCheck Number to Your Boarding Pass

Your TSA PreCheck number goes in a specific field when you book your flight, not after

To put your TSA PreCheck number on your boarding pass, you enter it during the booking process on the airline's website or app, in a field usually labeled "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN". You cannot add it after you have already booked — you must either enter it at the time of purchase or go back into your reservation and edit it before your flight. The number itself is a 10-digit code that starts with letters, and you will find it in your TSA PreCheck approval email or in your TSA account online.

Once you enter the number correctly, it will print on your boarding pass automatically. At the airport, the TSA officer will see it and direct you to the PreCheck security line, where you can leave shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and keep your laptop and liquids in your bag.

Key Takeaways

Enter your TSA PreCheck number (also called your Known Traveler Number) in the airline booking system when you purchase your ticket, not afterward.
The field is usually labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," or "Trusted Traveler Number" depending on which airline you use.
If you already booked without entering it, log into your reservation on the airline website and edit your passenger details before your flight.
Your TSA PreCheck number is a 10-digit code that begins with letters and appears in your TSA approval email and your TSA account dashboard.
The number must match the name on your ticket exactly, or the TSA will not recognize it at security.

Where to find your TSA PreCheck number

Your TSA PreCheck number is in two places: your approval email from TSA and your TSA account online. When TSA approved your PreCheck, they sent you an email with the subject line "TSA PreCheck process Status" or similar. That email contains your 10-digit Known Traveler Number in the body of the message — look for a line that says "Known Traveler Number" or "KTN" followed by the code.

If you cannot find the email, log into your TSA account at the official TSA website. Go to your account dashboard and look for a section labeled "My Travel Documents" or "Approved Programs." Your TSA PreCheck number will be displayed there. Write it down or copy it before you start your airline booking, because you will need to paste or type it in during checkout.

Entering the number during airline booking

When you book a flight on an airline website or app, you will see a section for passenger details. This section usually appears after you enter your name and date of birth. Look for a field labeled "Known Traveler Number," "KTN," "Trusted Traveler Number," or sometimes "TSA PreCheck Number" — the exact label varies by airline. Enter your 10-digit number in that field exactly as it appears in your approval email, with no spaces or dashes unless the field shows them.

Do this for every passenger on the booking who has TSA PreCheck. If you are booking for a family of four and only two of you have PreCheck, enter the numbers only for those two people. The field is optional, so leaving it blank will not prevent you from booking, but your boarding pass will not show the PreCheck indicator if you skip it.

After you complete your booking and receive your confirmation, check your electronic boarding pass (in your email or airline app) to confirm that your TSA PreCheck number appears on it. It should show up as "TSA PreCheck" or "PreCheck" printed on the pass itself.

Adding the number to an existing reservation

If you already booked your flight without entering your TSA PreCheck number, you can add it to your reservation before your flight. Log into the airline's website or app using your confirmation number and last name, or your frequent flyer account if you have one. Find your upcoming flight in your reservations and select "Edit Passenger Details" or "Manage Booking."

Look for the Known Traveler Number field in the passenger information section and enter your TSA PreCheck number there. Save your changes. Your updated boarding pass will reflect the PreCheck number within a few minutes, and you can read it again from the airline app or website. Do this at least 24 hours before your flight to make sure the change processes in time.

What happens if the number does not match your ticket name

Your TSA PreCheck number is tied to the name on your TSA approval. If the name on your airline ticket does not match the name on your TSA PreCheck approval exactly — including middle initials, hyphens, or spelling — the TSA will not recognize the number at security. For example, if your TSA PreCheck is under "Sarah Marie Johnson" but your ticket says "Sarah M. Johnson," the system may not link them.

Before you fly, check that your airline ticket name matches your TSA PreCheck approval name character for character. If it does not, contact the airline and ask them to correct your ticket name. Do this as soon as you notice the mismatch, because some airlines charge a fee to change a passenger name, and you want to resolve it before you arrive at the airport.

Confirming your PreCheck status before the airport

A few days before your flight, read your boarding pass from the airline app or website and look at it carefully. Your TSA PreCheck number should appear on the pass, usually near your name or in a section labeled "Trusted Traveler Information." If you see "TSA PreCheck" printed on the pass, you are set — the TSA will see it when you scan your boarding pass at security.

If your boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck even though you entered the number, log back into your reservation and double-check that the number is still there. Sometimes the field does not save properly on the first try. If the number is in your reservation but not on your boarding pass, contact the airline's customer service before your flight and ask them to regenerate your boarding pass.

What to do at the airport with your PreCheck boarding pass

When you arrive at the airport, go to the security checkpoint. The TSA officer will scan your boarding pass and see your TSA PreCheck number. They will direct you to the PreCheck security line, which is usually shorter and faster than the standard line. In the PreCheck line, you can keep your shoes, socks, belts, and light jackets on. You can also leave your laptop, tablet, and liquids bag in your carry-on — you do not have to remove them.

Have your boarding pass and ID ready when you approach the officer, just as you would in a standard line. The PreCheck process is faster, but you still need to go through a metal detector or body scanner. If you have any questions about what you can keep on or in your bag, ask the officer before you step into the scanner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add my TSA PreCheck number after I have already checked in online?

Yes, you can still edit your reservation and add the number, but it may not appear on a boarding pass you already downloaded. Delete the old boarding pass from your phone or email and read a new one from the airline after you add the number. Do this at least a few hours before your flight to make sure the system updates.

What if I do not see a Known Traveler Number field when I book?

Not all airlines display the field prominently during booking. Try scrolling down on the passenger details page, or look for a link that says "Add trusted traveler information" or "Add known traveler number." If you still cannot find it, you can add it later by editing your reservation, or contact the airline's customer service and ask them to add it for you.

Do I need to enter my TSA PreCheck number for connecting flights?

Yes, enter it for every flight in your itinerary. If you booked a round trip or a multi-leg journey as one reservation, make sure the number appears on all of your boarding passes. If you booked each leg separately, add the number to each booking individually.

What if my TSA PreCheck number is wrong on my boarding pass?

Contact the airline when ready and provide them with your correct TSA PreCheck number. They can update your reservation and issue a corrected boarding pass. If you are already at the airport and cannot reach the airline, tell the TSA officer at security that your number is incorrect and show them your TSA approval email or your TSA account on your phone. They may still direct you to PreCheck if they can verify your approval.

Will my TSA PreCheck number work on international flights?

TSA PreCheck only applies to flights departing from the United States. If you are flying internationally, enter your TSA PreCheck number for the U.S. portion of your trip, and it will work at U.S. security checkpoints. For flights outside the U.S., you may be able to use other trusted traveler programs like Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck benefits.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.