TSA Carry On Liquids Cheat Sheet

TSA Carry On Liquids Cheat Sheet

The 3-1-1 Rule

For most liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols packed in your carry on:

3
Each container must hold 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, or less.

1
All containers must fit inside one clear, quart sized, zip top bag.

1
Each traveler is allowed one liquids bag.

The container size is what matters, not how much product is left inside it. A half empty 6 ounce bottle is still a 6 ounce bottle, and TSA may send it straight to the trash can. (Transportation Security Administration⁠)

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What Counts as a Liquid?

TSA uses the term “liquids” rather generously. If it can pour, spread, spray, squeeze, smear, or squish, treat it like a liquid.

Toiletries

□ Shampoo
□ Conditioner
□ Body wash
□ Liquid soap
□ Toothpaste
□ Mouthwash
□ Lotion
□ Sunscreen
□ Face cream
□ Eye cream
□ Hair gel
□ Styling cream
□ Shaving cream
□ Liquid deodorant
□ Roll on deodorant
□ Aerosol deodorant
□ Perfume
□ Cologne
□ Contact lens solution

Makeup and Beauty Products

□ Liquid foundation
□ Cream foundation
□ Concealer
□ Mascara
□ Liquid eyeliner
□ Lip gloss
□ Cream blush
□ Gel brow products
□ Setting spray
□ Makeup remover
□ Cleansing balm
□ Nail polish
□ Nail polish remover

Solid makeup, including most powders, pencils, and lipstick, does not have to fit inside the liquids bag.

Food and Drinks

□ Water
□ Soft drinks
□ Coffee
□ Juice
□ Yogurt
□ Pudding
□ Applesauce
□ Peanut butter
□ Jelly and jam
□ Honey
□ Salsa
□ Sauces
□ Gravy
□ Dips
□ Cream cheese
□ Soft or spreadable cheese

Liquid and gel foods larger than 3.4 ounces generally cannot pass through the checkpoint in a carry on unless they qualify for an exception. Solid foods are usually allowed. (Transportation Security Administration⁠)

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What Does Not Go in the Liquids Bag?

These items are generally considered solid:

□ Bar soap
□ Solid deodorant
□ Shampoo bars
□ Conditioner bars
□ Solid sunscreen sticks
□ Lipstick
□ Lip balm sticks
□ Makeup pencils
□ Powder foundation
□ Powder blush
□ Eyeshadow
□ Face powder
□ Baby wipes
□ Makeup wipes
□ Solid snacks
□ Empty reusable water bottle

Pack an empty water bottle and fill it after security. There is no sense paying airport prices for something that falls freely from a fountain.

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Liquids That May Be Allowed in Larger Amounts

Certain items are exempt from the standard 3 1 1 limit when they are needed during the trip.

These may include:

□ Medically necessary liquids
□ Liquid medications
□ Breast milk
□ Infant formula
□ Baby food
□ Juice for infants or toddlers
□ Ice packs or freezer packs needed to keep exempt items cool

Tell the TSA officer about these items at the beginning of screening and remove them from your carry on if instructed. They may receive additional screening. (Transportation Security Administration⁠)

Medically necessary liquids do not have to fit inside the quart sized bag, but travelers should carry only a reasonable quantity for their trip.

Prescriptions should remain clearly labeled whenever possible. It also helps to keep medication together in an easy to reach pouch rather than buried beneath three sweaters and a paperback novel large enough to stun livestock.

Frozen items may pass through security if they are completely frozen when screened.

If they are partially melted, slushy, or have liquid pooled in the container, they must follow the 3 1 1 rule unless they qualify for an exemption. (Transportation Security Administration⁠)

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Duty Free Liquids

Liquids purchased after the security checkpoint may usually be carried onto your flight.

For international connections, larger duty free liquids can be more complicated. Keep them sealed in the tamper evident bag with the original receipt and check the requirements for every airport on your route.

A connection may require you to pass through security again, and another country’s security rules may differ from TSA rules.

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Powders Are Not Liquids, But Pay Attention

Powders do not belong in the quart sized liquids bag.

However, powder like substances larger than 12 ounces, or 350 milliliters, may need to be removed from your carry on for additional X ray screening. If security cannot clear the powder, it may not be allowed into the aircraft cabin. (Transportation Security Administration⁠)

Large containers of protein powder, powdered drink mix, baby powder, or similar products are usually easier to pack in checked luggage.

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Before You Zip the Bag

□ Every container is 3.4 ounces or smaller
□ Every liquid fits inside one quart sized bag
□ The bag closes completely
□ Labels are readable
□ Medications and medical liquids are easy to reach
□ Large liquids are packed in checked luggage
□ Your water bottle is empty
□ You checked questionable items through TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool

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Quick Packing Tricks

Use travel sized containers rather than taking full sized bottles.

Do not fill containers all the way to the top. Changes in cabin pressure can encourage shampoo to explore the inside of your toiletry bag.

Place the quart bag where you can reach it easily. Screening procedures vary by airport and equipment, and an officer may ask you to remove it.

Double check products labeled in grams rather than ounces or milliliters. Grams measure weight, not liquid volume, and the packaging still needs to comply with TSA requirements.

When you are unsure whether something counts as a liquid, assume it does and pack accordingly.

The Simplest Rule to Remember

If you can pour it, pump it, spray it, squeeze it, spread it, or smear it, put it in the liquids bag.

And if the container is larger than 3.4 ounces, put it in your checked bag or leave it at home.

TSA officers make the final decision about whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration⁠)

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Jani’s Tip

Do not wait until you reach the security line to discover that your fancy face cream is 3.7 ounces.

Pack the liquids bag at home. Close it completely. Then put the whole thing in an outside pocket where you can grab it without publicly unpacking your underwear in front of Concourse B.

A little preparation preserves both your products and your dignity.

Happy Travels!

XOXO, Jani

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Updated July 2026

TSA screening procedures and permitted items can change. Always check the official TSA website and the requirements of any international airports on your itinerary before traveling.

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