What can I pack in my carry-on through TSA security at a major US airport?

Summary

The steps

1. 1

   Sort your liquids, gels and aerosols before you pack

   The TSA 3-1-1 rule — published at tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-aerosols-gels-rule — governs every liquid, gel, aerosol, cream and paste in your carry-on. Each container must hold 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less. All containers must fit inside one quart-size clear zip-top bag. Each passenger is allowed one such bag. Containers larger than 3.4 oz must go in your checked bag or be disposed of before the checkpoint.

   Do this

   Check every bottle, tube and spray can for its volume — 3.4 oz / 100 mL is the hard limit per container.,Gather all carry-on liquids into one quart-size clear zip-top bag and confirm everything fits with the bag sealed.,Move any oversized containers to your checked bag before you leave home.

   Example

   A 4 oz bottle of shampoo must go in checked baggage. A 3 oz travel-size bottle of the same shampoo can go in your quart bag.

   Best practice

   Pack your quart bag at the very top of your carry-on so you can pull it out quickly at the checkpoint. Confirm current rules at tsa.gov before travel.
2. 2

   Declare and separate medications and medically necessary liquids

   Medically necessary liquids, medications and creams are exempt from the 3.4 oz limit under TSA policy (tsa.gov FAQ: traveling with medication). This exemption covers prescription and over-the-counter medications in liquid, gel or cream form, as well as breast milk, infant formula, toddler drinks and baby-food pouches — and the ice or gel packs used to keep them cold. The child does not need to be travelling with you for these exemptions to apply. Liquids may be tested; declining X-ray screening means additional screening will be required.

   Do this

   Inform the TSA officer at the start of screening that you are carrying medically necessary liquids or medications.,Remove those items from your bag and place them in a bin for separate screening.,Use clear labels on prescription bottles where possible to speed the process.

   Example

   A traveller carrying a 6 oz bottle of prescription liquid medication removes it from their bag at the checkpoint, tells the officer it is medically necessary, and places it in a separate bin.

   Best practice

   Pack medications in their original, labelled containers where practical. Keep them near the top of your bag for easy access.
3. 3

   Handle electronics correctly for your lane type

   In standard lanes, TSA guidance (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/laptops) requires you to remove laptops and any electronics larger than a phone and place them in a separate bin. In CT-scanner lanes — which TSA has been deploying at large hub airports — laptops and liquids can stay in your bag, but every carry-on item must still go into a bin individually. Look for signage at the checkpoint or ask an officer which type of lane you are in.

   Do this

   Standard lanes: remove your laptop and place it flat in a separate bin.,CT-scanner lanes: leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, but place the whole bag in a bin.,If an officer asks you to separate additional items, do so promptly.

   Example

   A traveller in a standard lane removes their laptop and places it in its own bin, then places their quart liquids bag on top of their carry-on in a second bin.

   Best practice

   Regardless of lane type, pack electronics and your liquids bag at the top of your carry-on so they are easy to reach.
4. 4

   Pack lithium batteries and power banks in carry-on only

   Spare lithium batteries and power banks are prohibited in checked baggage under FAA hazardous materials guidance implementing 49 CFR Part 175 (faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lithium-batteries). If your carry-on bag is gate-checked at the jet bridge, remove your spare batteries and power banks before handing the bag over. Capacity limits: up to 100 Wh allowed without restriction; 101–160 Wh requires airline approval, maximum two spare batteries; over 160 Wh forbidden on any aircraft. Individual airlines may set stricter limits.

   Do this

   Check the watt-hour (Wh) rating printed on each battery or power bank.,Pack all spare batteries and power banks in your carry-on, not your checked bag.,If your carry-on is gate-checked, remove batteries and power banks and carry them onto the plane.,Contact your airline before travel if you are carrying batteries rated 101–160 Wh.

   Example

   A traveller with a 130 Wh camera battery contacts their airline before the trip to confirm approval, then packs the battery in their carry-on. When their bag is gate-checked, they remove the battery and carry it on.

   Best practice

   Keep spare batteries in their original packaging or a dedicated battery case to prevent short circuits.
5. 5

   Know what TSA PreCheck changes — and what it does not

   TSA PreCheck (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening) changes the checkpoint process, not the permitted items list. In a PreCheck lane, you keep your belt and light jacket on, and your laptop and 3-1-1 liquids bag stay inside your carry-on. The same rules on prohibited items, lithium batteries under 49 CFR Part 175, and liquid limits apply in PreCheck lanes as in standard lanes.

   Do this

   Look for the TSA PreCheck lane if your boarding pass shows the PreCheck indicator.,Keep your belt and light jacket on; leave your laptop and liquids bag in your carry-on.,Follow all standard rules on prohibited items, medications and lithium batteries.

   Example

   A PreCheck member walks through the dedicated lane with their laptop in their bag and their belt on. The process is faster, but the same items are allowed or prohibited as in any other lane.

   Best practice

   Even in a PreCheck lane, pack your bag so that if an officer asks you to separate an item you can do so quickly.
6. 6

   Understand what CLEAR does at the checkpoint

   CLEAR is an identity-verification service available at many large and medium hub airports. It uses biometric data — fingerprints or iris scans — to confirm your identity, allowing you to skip the document-check queue. CLEAR does not replace TSA security screening (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification). After your identity is verified through CLEAR, you proceed to the standard TSA checkpoint and go through the full X-ray and body-scanner process. All carry-on packing rules apply exactly as they do for any other traveller.

   Do this

   Use CLEAR to move quickly through the identity-verification step.,After CLEAR, proceed to the TSA checkpoint and follow all standard or PreCheck packing and screening rules.,Do not assume CLEAR provides any exemption from security screening requirements.

   Example

   A traveller uses CLEAR's iris scanner to verify their identity and skips the ID-check line. They then enter the standard TSA lane, remove their laptop and liquids bag, and proceed through the X-ray as normal.

   Best practice

   CLEAR works best when combined with TSA PreCheck: CLEAR handles identity verification quickly, and PreCheck streamlines the physical screening process.
7. 7

   Use the bag-it / leave-it / check-it table before you zip up

   Before closing your carry-on, run through the table in the 'Bag it, leave it or check it' section of this guide. For items not listed, use the TSA 'What Can I Bring?' search tool at tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all — it is the authoritative source and is updated regularly. When in doubt, check it before you leave home, not at the checkpoint.

   Do this

   Review the table for every item you are unsure about.,For anything not listed, search tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all before packing.,Move any 'Check it' items to your checked bag before you reach the airport.

   Example

   A traveller is unsure about a full-size bottle of sunscreen. The table shows it must be checked (over 3.4 oz). They transfer it to their checked bag the night before travel.

   Best practice

   Do your packing check the evening before travel, not at the airport. Items confiscated at the checkpoint cannot be recovered.
8. 8

   Do a final carry-on check at home, not at the checkpoint

   The checkpoint is not the place to reorganise your bag. Pack deliberately: liquids bag at the top, electronics accessible, medications declared and separated, batteries in carry-on. If you are unsure about any item, check tsa.gov before you leave — confiscated items are not returned.

   Do this

   Pack your quart liquids bag and place it at the top of your carry-on the night before travel.,Confirm any unusual items (medications, batteries, sports equipment) against tsa.gov in advance.,At the checkpoint, have your boarding pass and ID ready before you reach the front of the line.

   Example

   The evening before a flight, a traveller lays out everything they plan to pack, checks the liquids bag, confirms their power bank is under 100 Wh, and places medications in a labelled pouch at the top of their bag.

   Best practice

   A five-minute check at home prevents a five-minute delay at the checkpoint — and prevents losing items you cannot get back.

Why getting your carry-on right matters at a hub airport

Bag it, leave it or check it — the quick-reference table

What this guide does not cover

Pack once, clear first time

FAQ

How big can my liquid containers be in a carry-on bag?

Each individual liquid, gel or aerosol container must hold 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less under the TSA 3-1-1 rule (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-aerosols-gels-rule). All containers must fit inside one quart-size clear zip-top bag; each passenger is limited to one such bag. Containers larger than 3.4 oz must go in checked baggage or be disposed of before the checkpoint. Confirm at tsa.gov before you travel.

Can I bring prescription medication in my carry-on in amounts larger than 3.4 oz?

Yes. Medically necessary liquids, medications and creams are exempt from the 3.4 oz limit under TSA policy (tsa.gov FAQ: traveling with medication, at tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/i-am-traveling-medication-are-there-any-requirements-i-should-be). Declare them to the TSA officer at the start of screening and remove them from your bag for separate inspection. Clear labels are recommended. Liquid medications may be tested; declining X-ray screening means additional screening will apply.

Do I have to take my shoes off at TSA security?

No — not for domestic flights at US airports. The Department of Homeland Security ended the shoes-off requirement for domestic screening effective July 8, 2025. You may keep your shoes on in both standard and TSA PreCheck lanes. Requirements can change; check tsa.gov before your trip.

Does TSA PreCheck mean I can bring larger liquids or prohibited items?

No. TSA PreCheck (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening) changes the checkpoint process — you keep belts, light jackets, laptops and 3-1-1 liquids inside your bag — but it does not change what items are permitted. The same rules on liquids, prohibited items and lithium batteries under 49 CFR Part 175 apply in PreCheck lanes as in standard lanes.

Can I pack a power bank or spare lithium battery in my checked bag?

No. Under FAA hazardous materials guidance implementing 49 CFR Part 175 (faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/lithium-batteries), spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel carry-on only — never in checked bags. If your carry-on is gate-checked at the jet bridge, remove spare batteries before handing the bag over. Batteries above 160 Wh are forbidden on any aircraft; 101–160 Wh requires airline approval, maximum two spares.

What does CLEAR do at the airport, and does it replace TSA screening?

CLEAR is an identity-verification service that uses biometric data (fingerprints or iris scans) to confirm who you are, allowing you to skip the ID-check queue. It does not replace TSA security screening (tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification). After CLEAR verifies your identity, you still proceed through the full TSA checkpoint — X-ray, body scanner and all carry-on rules, including the 3-1-1 rule and 49 CFR Part 175 battery restrictions, still apply in full.