TSA Liquid Restrictions: What You Can Bring and the Limits You Need to Know

Whether you're someone who travels light with just a carry-on or prefer to check a bag, understanding the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) liquid limits is crucial for all U.S. air travelers. However, figuring out which of your toiletries, foods, and other items qualify as 'liquid'—and how to pack them efficiently—can be quite tricky. This guide will clarify the TSA's regulations regarding liquids, highlight common exceptions, and provide tips to help ensure your next airport security experience is hassle-free.

What are the TSA liquid restrictions?

According to the TSA’s liquid regulations—commonly referred to as the 3-1-1 rule—travelers may bring liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less in their carry-on luggage. Each passenger can have one quart-sized bag, which can hold approximately nine 3.4-ounce containers. Any excess must be packed in checked luggage or it will be discarded.

If your liquids are housed in bottles larger than 3.4 ounces, even if there's only a small amount remaining, you cannot bring them through security.

You can bring completely empty bottles, like your reusable water bottle, through the TSA checkpoint since (spoiler alert!) they don’t hold any liquids at that time.

Permitted Toiletries for Your Carry-On

The TSA permits the following common toiletries in your carry-on, provided they are in containers of 3.4 ounces or less:

• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shampoos and conditioners
• Lotions and sunscreen
• Gel hair products
• Aloe vera
• Perfumes
• Lip gloss
• Hairspray

In other words: yes, you are allowed to take toothpaste, deodorant, and sunscreen through TSA checkpoints, but only if they are in travel-sized containers.

Powders and powder-like substances, such as baby powder and certain makeup products, are not restricted in your carry-on. However, if you're carrying more than 12 ounces (350 milliliters) of powder, you’ll need to place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening, and it may undergo additional checks. So, it's wise to allow extra time at the security checkpoint if you think this might apply to you.

Packing Tips for Your Toiletries in a Carry-On

Especially if you lack TSA PreCheck, it’s beneficial to store all your toiletries in a clear plastic toiletry bag that is quart-sized (or smaller) for screening. Although advancements in airport technology mean that fewer air travelers (in both PreCheck and non-PreCheck lines) will need to remove their liquids from their carry-on, having all your liquids in one bag is still advisable in case you get selected for further inspection. For a step up from a standard Ziplock, we recommend the Clarity Jetset Case from Truffle ($88), which features a clear window panel and is similar in size to a quart-sized bag.

Since the TSA classifies toothpaste as a liquid, paste, or gel, many of us tend to throw those small one-ounce tubes into our carry-on bags. If you prefer to avoid the tricky-to-recycle packaging, consider using toothpaste tablets, which are an eco-friendly option not bound by the 3-1-1 rule. We recommend Humankind’s fluoride toothpaste tablets ($12), which look like little mints and become paste when crushed between your teeth. Matador has also introduced a reusable toothpaste tube ($10) that you can fill and refill with your regular toothpaste.

For travel toiletries that are simple to repackage (like shampoo or body wash), think about investing in reusable bottles or containers to keep your favorite brand on hand. Here are some of our top TSA-approved toiletry bottles:

GoToob

Buy Now: GoToob three-pack of 3.4-ounce bottles, $30, rei.com

These user-friendly, leak-proof silicone tubes are perfect for shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and body washes. The GoToob range comes in various sizes from 1.7 to 6 ounces and is easy to clean between uses.

Matador FlatPack

Purchase Now: $13 for a single unit or $35 for a set of three, matadorup.com

Cadence

Purchase Now: $14 for one or $74 for a set of six, keepyourcadence.com

Cadence’s refillable travel containers are compact, leak-proof “capsules” that snap together using magnets. At 0.56 ounces each, they are ideal for small amounts of makeup and toiletries—perfect for a weekend’s worth of shampoo or just enough under-eye cream for a week.

Foods are subject to liquid restrictions

The TSA’s 3-1-1 rule also pertains to food, so ensure that any items considered liquids, gels, or pastes (such as yogurt, peanut butter, pâté, jams, or that delicious pimento cheese spread you attempted to bring back from Charleston) are under 3.4 ounces or placed in your checked luggage. There are exceptions, such as frozen foods and baby juice, and the TSA’s website is the most reliable source for checking specific items.

Exceptions to TSA’s liquids policy: Full-sized liquids permitted through security

The TSA has several key exceptions to its liquids policy. You are allowed to carry full-sized bottles of the following:

Hand sanitizer: In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the TSA currently permits travelers to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in their carry-on bags, which will be screened separately.

Medication: You are permitted to carry medically necessary liquids, aerosols, and gels through security. This also includes ice or gel packs needed to keep your medications chilled. While you don’t have to place these items in a resealable plastic bag, you should take them out of your luggage and inform the TSA officer about what you have packed.

Baby formula and breast milk: Similar to medication, you can bring freezer packs to maintain these items at a cool temperature. Be sure to remove them from your luggage and notify an agent when passing through security. Additional baby-related exceptions include gel or liquid-filled teethers and canned or jarred baby food.

Ultimately, the final judgment on whether an item is permitted through the checkpoint is made by the TSA officer.

If you’re ever uncertain about a specific item, the TSA’s website features a useful, searchable list of prohibited and allowed items that is worth consulting before you travel. You can also text the TSA with any questions you may have.

This article was first published in 2022 and was last updated on March 21, 2023, with new information.