Before You Go: TSA Carry On Liquids Cheat Sheet
Jani’s Bin Basics:
☐ Every container is 3.4 ounces or smaller
☐ Everything fits in one quart sized bag
☐ The bag actually zips closed
☐ Liquids bag is easy to reach, not buried under three sweaters
☐ Water bottle is empty, not full of regret at the checkpoint
Confused about what TSA considers a liquid? This cheat sheet covers the 3-1-1 rule, what belongs in your quart sized bag, which items are exempt, and what’s better off in checked luggage.
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.
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.
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.
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:
☐ 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.
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.
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.
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.
Large containers of protein powder, powdered drink mix, baby powder, or similar products are usually easier to pack in checked luggage.
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
Quick Packing Tricks
☐ Use travel sized containers rather than full sized bottles
☐ Do not fill containers all the way to the top (cabin pressure will encourage shampoo to explore your toiletry bag)
☐ Place the quart bag where you can reach it easily
☐ Double check products labeled in grams rather than ounces or milliliters, grams measure weight, not liquid volume, and the packaging still needs to comply
☐ When 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. 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.
Happy travels!
XOXO, Jani
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.
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.
Did you know?
For the full walkthrough on getting through security without breaking a sweat, visit the Traveler’s Handbook for the complete guides.
Related Traveler’s Handbook Articles
Journeys With Jani: Traveler’s Handbook 
Leave a comment