TSA’s 311 Rule: How Much Liquid Can Go In Your Carry-On

Man at airport security putting wallet, phone, belt, and toiletries in plastic bag in white tray atop rollers — If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, you may need to take your toiletries out of your carry-on bag.

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With airlines’ checked bag fees rising, flying with only a carry-on will save you a bit of cash and time spent waiting at baggage claim. When you’re packing your sunscreen and face wash, be sure to adhere to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) liquid limit for carry-on baggage. In short: (Nearly) all liquids must under 3.4 ounces to get through airport security in the United States and most other countries.

Could this change in the future? In July 2025, after nearly 20 years, TSA ended the shoe rule, allowing passengers to keep their shoes on during airport security screenings. That same month, this led then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to say, “The liquids—I’m questioning. So that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be.” Since then, multiple government shutdowns have left TSA agents unpaid and lines at airport security long and slow. The most recent shutdown ended on April 30, 2026, but it remains to be seen how the departure of more than 1,000 TSA agents will affect the busy summer travel season.

With TSA’s ongoing tribulations in mind, knowing what you can and cannot carry through airport security in the USA is essential. But which toiletries, foods, and other items even count as liquid? Use this guide to understand TSA’s rules for liquids, what’s exempt from the rule, and Afar’s recommendations for TSA-approved toiletry bottles.

What is the TSA liquid limit?

The TSA’s liquid limit for carry-ons—known as the 3-1-1 rule—allows 3.4-ounce (100 milliliter) liquids to be carried by one passenger in one quart-size bag (one liter internationally). If your liquids are stored in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, even if only 3.4 ounces remain in the bottles, you can’t bring them through security. Completely empty bottles of any size, such as your reusable water bottle, are allowed through the TSA checkpoint.

Do you still need to take liquids out when going through TSA?

Passengers not enrolled in TSA PreCheck or Clear should be prepared to take our their clear bag of liquids when going through airport security, but it may not be necessary. With the rollout of CT scanners at U.S. airports, TSA says, “The goal is to keep laptops and 3-1-1 liquids inside of the bag during checkpoint screening.” As of last July, these CT scanners—which provide security screeners with a 3-D image of what’s in your bag—were in 255 airports across the country.

If you do have TSA PreCheck or Clear, you do not need to take any liquids out of your bag. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, enrolling in TSAPreCheck or Clear is one of the easiest ways to get through airport security faster. Even if the line is long, it moves faster because travelers don’t need to take anything out of their bags. And some airports have rolled out an even faster way to get through airport security lines: TSA PreCheck Touchless ID, a facial recognition system that eliminates the need for physical identification at security checkpoints at more than 60 airports.

The liquids you can bring through TSA and those you can’t

Former TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told Afar, “A good rule of thumb is that if you can spill it, spray it, spread it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s a liquid, gel, or aerosol.” You can pack almost any liquid in your carry-on and bring it through airport security in the U.S. as long as it’s 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. This includes:

Toothpaste
Deodorant
Shampoos and conditioners
Lotion
Sunscreen
Gel hair products
Aloe vera
Perfumes
Hairspray

Powders and powder-like substances, including baby powder and some makeup items, aren’t restricted in your carry-on bag. But if you’re carrying more than 12 ounces (350 milliliters) of a powder, you’ll need to place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening, and it may be subject to additional screening. If, for example, you’re carrying a full bottle of baby powder, it’s a good idea to budget an extra few minutes at the security checkpoint.

Exceptions to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule

TSA has several important exemptions to its liquids rule, including:

Medication: You’re allowed to bring medically necessary liquids, aerosols, and gels through security. This also includes the ice or gel packs you may need to keep your medications cool. You are not required to store these items in a plastic, resealable bag, but you should remove them from your luggage and let the TSA agent know what you’ve packed.

Baby formula and breast milk: As with medication, you can bring freezer packs to keep these items cool, and you should remove them from your luggage and notify an agent when you go through security. More baby-related exceptions? Gel or liquid-filled teethers and canned or jarred baby food.

If you’re unsure about bringing a specific item through U.S. airport security, TSA’s website has a handy, searchable list of prohibited and allowed items You can also text TSA with your questions.

Can you bring snacks through TSA?

overhead photo of three plastic tupperwares filled with foods like sandwiches, dried fruit, grapes, a hard boiled egg, corn on the cob, and other crudites. — Sandwiches and cut-up fruit and vegetables make for great plane snacks. Whole corn on the cob less so.

Yes, you can bring snacks and foods through TSA, but the 3-1-1 rule applies to liquids, gels, and pastes (like yogurt, peanut butter, hummus, pâté, jams, or that tasty pimento cheese spread you tried to bring home from Charleston). These all need to be less than 3.4 ounces or packed in your checked bag. There are some exceptions, like frozen foods and ice packs (which must be fully frozen unless they’re medically necessary gel ice packs) and baby food. TSA’s website is the best resource to check for specific items.

How to pack toiletries in your carry-on like a pro

If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, pack all of your liquid toiletries in a quart-sized clear plastic bag for screening. Although improved airport technology means that far fewer air passengers will have to take their liquids out out of their carry-ons, it’s still necessary to have all of your liquids in one bag just in case you get pulled aside for additional screening. We’re fans of the humble reusable zip-top or silicone bag—they’re among the things Afar editors always pack.

Since toothpaste is considered a liquid, paste, or gel by TSA, many travelers pack those tiny one-ounce tubes. Consider ditching those disposables, which are hard to recycle, and trying toothpaste tablets, an eco-friendly alternative that’s not subject to the 3-1-1 rule. Bite and the Humble Co. both sell toothpaste tablets with and without added fluoride (from $9 for 60 tablets). Even easier is Matador’s reusable toothpaste tube ($11), which you can fill (and refill) with your regular toothpaste.

For travel toiletries that are easy to top up (like shampoo or body wash), invest in reusable bottles or containers so you can always keep your preferred brand on hand without creating more plastic waste. These are two of our favorite TSA-approved toiletry containers:

GoToob+

Buy now: humangear GoToob+ three-pack of 3.4-ounce bottles, $34, rei.com

These easy-to-fill, leakproof silicone tubes are BPA-free and ideal for shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and body washes. GoToob’s line comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1.7 to 6 ounces, and are easy to clean between refills.

Matador FlatPack

Buy now: $15 for one or $40 for three, matadorequipment.com

Each three-ounce, TSA-approved bottle is made from a durable, waterproof, nylon-based fabric. Like GoToob, they’re leakproof and easy to fill, but thanks to their flexible, fabric-like design, they will shrink to their contents, taking up less space in your pack. Read about how Afar contributor Maggie Fuller is “flat-out obsessed” with these toiletry bottles.

This article was originally published in 2022 and most recently updated on May 28, 2026, with current information.

Jessie Beck

Jessie Beck is a San Francisco–based writer, video creator, and associate director at Afar magazine. Specializing in Northern California travel, she covers wine, food, outdoor adventure, and boutique hotels, drawing on more than a decade of experience. Jessie is also an expert travel gear reviewer and a firm believer in carry-on-only travel.