What is the 3 ounce airline rule? (2023)

What is the 3 ounce airline rule?

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

After the Feds foiled a liquid explosive plot in 2006, officials tested explosives and determined the amount of liquid needed for a serious blast. In fact, 3.4 ounces is the maximum amount of liquid that poses little to no risk to travelers.

Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols.

Toothpaste is considered a liquid by the TSA (Transport Security Agency), even though it's technically a paste. In fact, all pastes, gels, waxes, and lotions are also classified as liquids. And even today, these substances are still restricted by the 3-1-1 rule in hand luggage due to safety threats.

These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.

Deodorant can be considered a liquid when flying if it is in a gel or aerosol form. If your deodorant is solid, though, the TSA will let you bring a standard stick of solid deodorant with you in your carry-on luggage.

Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They're fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.

Mascara is considered a liquid, as is anything deemed 'spreadable. ' (Consult this handy searchable list for the full run-down of what is allowed in checked baggage and carry-ons.) Also keep in mind that sharp objects, like razors, might be subject to restrictions.

Don't forget, lip gloss and mascara count as liquids!

What is not allowed in a carry-on bag?

Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

Checked Bags: Yes

Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

You are only allowed to bring one quart-sized (dimensions: 7” x 8”) bag where you'll store all your 3.4 ounces liquid containers. ⍟ 1 = Refers to the maximum number of persons per quart size bag. Each person flying may only carry up to 1 quart size bag.

Checked Bags: Yes

Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

If the toothpaste is in larger volumes, you should put it in your check-in baggage. Although it is not required, for safer choice, we highly recommend you place your toothpaste in a clear bag that can easily be removed from your carry-on during the screening process.

To recap: All liquids (including gels like toothpaste) and some foods that are considered liquids need to be in separate containers that hold no more than 3.4 ounces.

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol.

The TSA prohibits containers with more than 3.4 ounces of liquid in carry-on luggage, so if you have a liquid or semi-liquid antiperspirant, be sure to check the quantity on the container. For example, many stick deodorants and antiperspirants come in sizes under 3.4 ounces, so it's fine to bring in your carry-on bag.

If your liquids are stored in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, even if there's only 3.4 ounces left inside the bottle, you can't bring them through security. Completely empty bottles, such as your reusable water bottle, are allowed through the TSA checkpoint since (spoiler alert!)

Sanitizing Wipes: Wet wipes, in any quantity, can be carried on. This includes baby wipes! Disinfectant sprays: You are allowed to have sprays in your carry-on bag as long as they do not exceed 3.4 oz. Pack larger sizes in your checked luggage.

What makeup needs to go in a clear bag?

Any liquid toiletries or makeup will have to abide by the TSA liquid rule. This means that each makeup container must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller, and all containers must fit inside a one quart (one liter) clear zip top bag.

No, makeup wipes and baby wipes are not considered liquids. Carry it – wipes are not liquids, so load up on what you need. Carry it and use it– air in the plane can get dry; stay moisturized. Carry it – Mascara is small enough to fit easily in your quart-sized bag.

Checked Bags: Yes

page. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

The Department for Transport defines liquids as “including creams, lotions, oils, perfume, mascara and lip gloss”. The Civil Aviation Authority confirmed this for us, advising that they would “recommend putting cream-based makeup products in the plastic bag provided for liquids.”

Solid Makeup

Powder-like substances greater than 12 oz. / 350 mL must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. They may require additional screening and containers may need to be opened. For your convenience, we encourage you to place non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in checked bags.

Because the TSA considers the nut spread a liquid, plane passengers must limit the amount they bring in their carry-ons. Like all other liquids, passengers are limited to 3.4 oz or less of peanut butter in their carry-on bag, but can also put the snack in their checked baggage.

Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Does my suitcase count as a carry-on?

What counts as a carry-on? Generally, a small rolling suitcase, duffel bag, or larger backpack will count as a carry-on bag. Garment bags count as carry-ons, as long as they follow the dimensions specified by the airline.

The TSA rules for a pat down are simple: if your hair sets the alarm off during screening, passengers will receive a pat-down by a same-sex officer. All hairstyles are subject to inspection, including braids.

Only razors where the blade is fully and permanently enclosed and razor cartridges are allowed in hand baggage. The following items are some of those that are considered as liquid and must be placed inside your resealable bag: hairspray and other aerosol items.

TSA has no restrictions on bringing vitamins in pill form and powder supplements in your checked luggage or carry-on bags. You can pack these items in their original packaging or transfer to pill organizers. You won't need to declare or show them to TSA agents when going through security.

The TSA liquids rule is also called the 3-1-1 rule, since you're allowed to bring: 3.4-ounce container. 1 quart-sized Ziploc bag. 1 bag per passenger.

Do Toiletry Bags Need to Be Clear? TSA does not specify that toiletry bags need to be clear. However, when traveling with liquids, using a TSA approved clear liquid bag will help expedite the TSA process so agents can see everything easily without further inspection.

Stick deodorant is fine in any size. Well, almost any size… Powders and crystals are good to go as well. Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.

Tools 7 inches or shorter (measured from end to end when assembled) may be allowed in carry-on baggage. Power tools and all tools longer than 7 inches (measured from end to end when assembled) are prohibited in carry-on baggage; these items must be packed in your checked bags.

Any liquids carried in hand luggage must be in containers no larger than 100ml (3.4 fl oz) and placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag no larger than 20 cm x 20 cm (7.9 inches x 7.9 inches).

Yes, You Can Take Bar of Soap on a Plane

Because soap bars are considered solids, they aren't subject to the same rules as liquid items. In other words, you can pack your favorite soap bar without worrying about a TSA agent throwing it away at the checkpoint.

How do you travel with prescription toothpaste?

TSA makes exceptions for liquid prescriptions, and that includes prescription toothpaste. So if your doctor or dentist has prescribed special toothpaste, you can bring a tube that's larger than 3.4 ounces. But it must be clear that it's a prescription, and you should bring a note from the prescribing doctor or dentist.

According to the TSA, limiting containers to what can fit inside a quart-size bag prevents what former TSA administrator Kip Hawley once called a “critical diameter” to blow anything up. The size of the container precludes enough of a potentially explosive liquid from being carried on board.

A terrorist plot named the 2006 Transatlantic Liquid Bomb Plot is why we have the 3.4-ounce limit in place for bringing liquids on airplanes. The plot involved a group of people carrying liquid explosives to assemble bombs in the air.

It's called the 3-1-1 rule because your liquids must be no more than 3.4 ounces (that's the 3), they have to fit into 1-quart bags (there's the 1) and you're only allowed one (that's the final 1) of the bags.

Anything more will have to go in a checked bag or risk being tossed out. If your liquids are stored in containers larger than 3.4 ounces, even if there's only 3.4 ounces left inside the bottle, you can't bring them through security.

Can you bring a water bottle on a plane? CATSA and TSA regulations state the following: You can bring a water bottle, or container of water in your carry on. As long as it's in a 100 ml (3.4 oz.) or smaller container.

You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.

The main rule to remember is that you must not take any more than 100ml of a restricted liquid into the cabin of a plane, and those liquids should be placed into individual 100ml containers. Any liquid that you need more than 100ml of should be packed in your hold luggage.

Safety Razors: Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade. They're fine to pack in your carry-on without the blade. The blades must be stored in your checked luggage. The same applies for straight razors.

Mascara is considered a liquid, as is anything deemed 'spreadable. ' (Consult this handy searchable list for the full run-down of what is allowed in checked baggage and carry-ons.) Also keep in mind that sharp objects, like razors, might be subject to restrictions.

Does deodorant count as a liquid TSA?

Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.

Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

You are only allowed to bring one quart-sized (dimensions: 7” x 8”) bag where you'll store all your 3.4 ounces liquid containers. ⍟ 1 = Refers to the maximum number of persons per quart size bag. Each person flying may only carry up to 1 quart size bag.