TSA · 2026 Guide
TSA Rules for Carry-On Liquids & Toiletries: The 3-1-1 Guide
The 3-1-1 liquids rule, the exceptions nobody tells you about, and what changed for 2026 — made simple.
Packing for a flight shouldn't end with your favorite shampoo in an airport trash bin. Most confiscated items come down to one misunderstood rule — the TSA “3-1-1” liquids rule — and a handful of exceptions people never hear about. This guide breaks down exactly what you can carry on, what has to be checked, and how to breeze through screening, with the small, flight-ready swaps that make it effortless.
Last reviewed: July 14, 2026. TSA rules can change and the final decision always rests with the officer at the checkpoint — confirm anything time-sensitive on TSA's official site before you fly.
The TSA 3-1-1 rule, explained
The rule that governs every liquid, gel, aerosol, cream, and paste in your carry-on is called 3-1-1 — and the name is the rule.
3.4oz (100 ml) per containerTSA reads the size printed on the bottle, not what's left inside — a half-empty 6 oz bottle still gets pulled.
1quart-size clear bagEvery container must fit inside one clear, resealable quart bag.
1bag per passengerThat's one bag per person — not per carry-on.
Anything larger than 3.4 oz should go in your checked bag. This is still the nationwide standard in 2026 — you can read it straight from the source on the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule page.
The easiest way to stay compliant is to stop gambling with full-size bottles. Our 3 oz refillable travel bottles (2-pack) are sized exactly to the limit, and the TSA-approved shower bag + 4 bottles gives you a decant-and-go kit that drops straight into the quart bag.
What counts as a “liquid” (the list that trips people up)
TSA reads “liquid” broadly. It's not just water and shampoo — it's anything that pours, spreads, sprays, smears, or oozes. Travelers routinely lose:
- Toothpaste and gel/spray deodorant
- Sunscreen, lotion, and moisturizer
- Foundation, mascara, liquid lipstick, and other cream/liquid makeup
- Hair gel, mousse, and pomade
- Peanut butter, yogurt, jam, salsa, dips, and soft cheeses
- Perfume, cologne, and aftershave
- Any beverage
If it's over 3.4 oz, it belongs in checked luggage. When in doubt, search the item on TSA's “What Can I Bring?” A–Z list. Prefer to skip the guesswork entirely? Every item in our TSA-approved travel-size toiletries collection is already under the limit and labeled for carry-on.
Solid swaps that skip the quart bag entirely
Here's the shortcut seasoned travelers use: solids and powders aren't liquids, so they don't count toward your quart bag at all. Swapping a few products frees up precious bag space:
- Bar soap, shampoo bars, and solid conditioner instead of bottles
- Stick or solid deodorant instead of gel/spray — try our aluminum-free deodorant
- Powder or pressed makeup instead of liquid foundation
- Solid perfume instead of spray
Browse everything that ships without touching your liquids allowance in our solid, no-liquid essentials collection.
How to pack a TSA-compliant liquids bag
- Gather every liquid, gel, aerosol, cream, and paste you plan to carry on.
- Decant or swap anything over 3.4 oz into travel-size bottles — or move the full-size version to your checked bag.
- Load one quart-size clear bag. Most people fit six to nine small bottles; you must still be able to seal it.
- Keep the bag near the top of your carry-on so you can grab it fast at the belt.
- Set aside medical and baby liquids separately — those get declared and screened on their own (see below).
A hanging toiletry bag keeps everything organized, and packing cubes make the rest of your bag just as easy to unpack if an officer needs a look. Not sure where to start? Our pre-built travel hygiene kits — like the TrekTote 20-Piece Travel Hygiene Kit, plus women's and men's premium kits — arrive checkpoint-ready.
Exceptions to the 3-1-1 rule
The 3.4 oz limit has real, TSA-sanctioned exceptions. In each case, take the items out of your bag and tell the officer at the start of screening so they can be checked separately.
Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter liquid medications are exempt from the 3.4 oz limit in “reasonable quantities” for your trip. No doctor's note is required, but keeping them in original, labeled packaging speeds things up. Details are on TSA's medical items page. Pack them somewhere accessible — a compact travel first-aid kit is a handy home for meds and essentials.
Baby formula, breast milk & toddler food
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food over 3.4 oz are allowed and do not need to fit in the quart bag — they're treated as medically necessary liquids. Ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs to keep them cold are allowed too, and you don't have to be traveling with your child to bring breast milk or supplies. Confirm the specifics on TSA's baby formula and breast milk pages, the 3-1-1 exemption FAQ, and the CDC's travel guidance. Flying with little ones? Our baby travel kit keeps the essentials in one grab-and-go pouch.
Duty-free liquids
Liquids bought at an airport duty-free shop can exceed 3.4 oz if they stay in the sealed, tamper-evident bag you're given and you keep the receipt — a narrow exception, not a loophole around the standard rule.
Powders, aerosols & other gray areas
Powders
Powders and powder-like substances over 12 oz (350 ml) in a carry-on may trigger additional screening, so consider checking large containers. Smaller amounts are fine.
Aerosols
Aerosol toiletries follow the same 3.4 oz carry-on limit; flammable or hazardous sprays are prohibited in either bag. Check any specific can on the A–Z list.
Empty & reusable water bottles
Empty containers are fine through security — bring a collapsible water bottle empty and fill it at a fountain past the checkpoint.
Menstrual products
Tampons and pads are unrestricted; liquid-based items follow 3-1-1. Our all-in-one travel menstrual kit keeps a period-ready kit in your bag.
What changed recently (2025–2026)
Update
You generally don't have to remove your shoes anymore. DHS ended the routine “shoes-off” policy on July 8, 2025, though officers can still ask individually — see the official DHS/TSA announcement.
Update
New CT scanners are speeding up some lanes. At airports with newer 3D computed-tomography scanners, you may be able to leave travel-size liquids and laptops inside your bag. The 3-1-1 size limit itself hasn't changed — assume 3-1-1 applies unless signage says otherwise.
Update
REAL ID is now required for domestic flights. Bring a REAL ID-compliant license (the one with the star) or another accepted ID like a passport; details on TSA's REAL ID page. A TSA-approved combination padlock is still the safe way to lock a checked bag.
Want a checklist tailored to your trip? Our Plan Your Trip service and the Travel Guide walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TSA 3-1-1 rule?
It limits carry-on liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes to containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all fitting inside one quart-size clear resealable bag, with one bag per passenger.
How many ounces of liquid can I bring on a plane?
Up to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) per container in your carry-on, as long as every container fits in a single quart-size bag. Larger liquids must go in checked baggage unless they qualify for a medical, baby, or duty-free exception.
Does deodorant count as a liquid?
Gel and spray deodorants count and must follow the 3-1-1 rule. Solid or stick deodorant is not a liquid and has no size limit in your carry-on.
Is toothpaste a liquid?
Yes. TSA treats toothpaste as a paste, so it must be 3.4 ounces or less to travel in your carry-on quart bag.
Can I bring medication larger than 3.4 oz?
Yes. Liquid medications are allowed over 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities. Declare them to the officer and keep them accessible; original labeled packaging helps.
Can I bring baby formula or breast milk over 3.4 oz?
Yes. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food are allowed over 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit in the quart bag. Cooling ice or gel packs are allowed too, and your child does not need to be with you.
Do I still have to take off my shoes at security?
Usually no. TSA ended the routine shoe-removal requirement on July 8, 2025, though an officer may still ask you to remove them for additional screening.
Do I have to take my liquids bag out of my carry-on?
At most checkpoints, yes — place the quart bag in a bin for screening. At lanes with newer CT scanners you may be able to leave it inside your bag; follow the signs and the officer's instructions.
Can I bring an empty water bottle through security?
Yes. Empty bottles pass through screening. Bring a collapsible bottle empty and fill it after the checkpoint.
Still not sure about a specific item? Our FAQ page has you covered.
Pack smarter, not heavier
Pack smarter with 3ozs
Solid Swaps
TSA-Ready Liquids
Grab-and-Go Kits
Skip the checkpoint stress. Every liquid we sell is already TSA-carry-on sized, and everything else — kits, bottles, organizers, and solid swaps — is chosen to move through security fast.