TSA Liquid Rules (2026): 3-1-1 Limits, Exceptions & Examples
Liquids are the single most common reason carry-on bags are pulled aside at US airport security. The TSA liquid rules themselves are short — 3.4 ounces, one quart bag, one bag per person — but the edge cases are not: peanut butter counts as a liquid, a half-empty bottle still fails, and a bottle of duty-free whisky can be fine on one connection and confiscated on the next.
This guide explains the 3-1-1 rule as TSA applies it in 2026, the exceptions you are entitled to, how liquids work in checked luggage, and what changes when you fly outside the United States.
| The 3-1-1 rule in one table | |
|---|---|
| 3 | Containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less each |
| 1 | All containers in one clear, resealable quart-size bag (about 1 liter, roughly 7 x 8 in) |
| 1 | One bag per passenger, placed in a bin unless your lane says otherwise |
| Applies to | Carry-on bags only. Checked bags have no 3.4 oz limit. |
What TSA Counts as a Liquid
TSA's working definition is broad: if you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it or spray it, it is treated as a liquid. That covers the obvious items — water, shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, mouthwash, perfume — and many that travelers do not expect:
- Toiletries: toothpaste, gel deodorant, liquid foundation, mascara, hair gel, contact lens solution, hand sanitizer.
- Food: peanut butter and other nut butters, jam, honey, syrup, yogurt, hummus, salsa, dips, soft cheese spreads, soups, sauces and salad dressing.
- Gifts and souvenirs: snow globes, bottled sauces, olive oil, wine and spirits.
Each of these must follow 3-1-1 in your carry-on unless an exception below applies. When in doubt, either decant it into a travel-size container or put it in your checked bag.
Items that are not liquids
Solid versions of the same products are not restricted and do not need to go in the quart bag: bar soap, solid deodorant, solid perfume, lipstick and lip balm sticks, shampoo and conditioner bars, toothpaste tablets, and solid foods such as bread, cakes, whole fruit and hard cheese. Powders (makeup, protein powder, baby powder) are allowed, but containers larger than about 12 oz (350 ml) may be pulled out for extra screening.
The Container Size Is What Counts
TSA officers check the volume printed on the container, not how much is inside. A 6 oz tube of toothpaste that is almost empty is still a 6 oz container and will be refused. Buy or reuse containers that are labeled 3.4 oz / 100 ml or smaller — unlabeled containers are judged by eye, which is less predictable.
A quart-size bag typically holds six to nine travel-size bottles. It has to close fully; a bag that is stuffed open can be rejected and you may be asked to remove items.
Exceptions: Medication, Babies and Medical Needs
Several categories are allowed above 3.4 oz "in reasonable quantities for your trip". They do not have to fit in your quart bag, but they must be declared to the officer at the start of screening and will usually be tested separately.
| Item | Allowed over 3.4 oz? | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription and over-the-counter liquid medication | Yes | Declare it; keep it separate from the quart bag. Labels help but are not required by TSA. |
| Breast milk | Yes, even if the child is not traveling | Can be screened by X-ray or another method if you prefer. |
| Infant formula, toddler drinks, baby food pouches | Yes, in reasonable quantities | Officers may test containers; you may be asked to open them. |
| Ice packs and gel packs | Yes if frozen solid | Partially melted packs must follow 3-1-1 unless used for medical or infant needs. |
| Liquid nutrition, saline, gels for medical devices | Yes | Declare at the start of screening. |
Frozen liquids in general (for example a frozen water bottle) are allowed through the checkpoint only if they are completely solid when screened. Slush or a layer of water at the bottom means the item is treated as a liquid.
Duty-Free Liquids and International Connections
Liquids bought in a duty-free shop after security on your departure flight are fine for that flight. The problem comes when you land in the US and have to clear security again for a connecting domestic flight. TSA allows duty-free liquids over 3.4 oz in your carry-on on that connection only if:
- they were bought at an international duty-free shop within the last 48 hours,
- they are sealed in a transparent, tamper-evident bag by the retailer, and
- the original receipt is visible inside the bag.
If the bag has been opened, or the items are not in a tamper-evident bag, they must be moved to your checked luggage before the connecting checkpoint. Many travelers repack bottles into their checked bag after collecting it at customs, which avoids the issue entirely.
Liquids in Checked Luggage
The 3.4 oz limit does not apply to checked bags, but a few other limits do:
- Alcohol: drinks over 24% and up to 70% alcohol (48–140 proof) are limited to 5 liters per passenger, in unopened retail packaging. Drinks under 24% (most wine and beer) have no TSA quantity limit. Anything over 70% alcohol, such as some grain alcohol or 151-proof rum, is prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags.
- Toiletry aerosols: hairspray, shaving foam and spray deodorant are allowed, subject to FAA limits of 18 oz (500 ml) per container and 70 oz (2 liters) in total per person.
- Non-toiletry aerosols: spray paint, most cooking sprays in large cans and other flammable aerosols are generally prohibited.
Pack bottles in sealed plastic bags and pad them with clothing. A leaking bottle of shampoo or wine inside a suitcase is not covered by most airlines' baggage liability. Your checked bag still has to stay inside the size and weight limits — see our checked bag size and weight guide.
Do I Still Have to Take Liquids Out of My Bag?
It depends on the lane, not on the rule:
- Standard lanes with older X-ray machines: remove the quart bag and place it in a bin.
- Lanes with CT (computed tomography) scanners: you can often leave the quart bag inside your carry-on. Follow the signs or the officer's instructions, which vary by airport.
- TSA PreCheck lanes: keep the liquids bag inside your carry-on.
In every case the 3.4 oz container limit still applies. CT scanners change how bags are screened, not how much liquid you may carry.
Liquid Rules Outside the United States
Almost every country uses a 100 ml rule modeled on the same principle, but the details differ, and your return flight is screened under the departure country's rules:
| Region | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States (TSA) | 3.4 oz / 100 ml, one quart bag | Applies at all checkpoints, including CT lanes. |
| Canada (CATSA) | 100 ml, one 1-liter bag | Same principle as TSA. |
| European Union & UK | 100 ml, one 1-liter bag | Some airports with approved next-generation scanners accept larger containers. Rules vary by airport and have changed several times since 2024, so assume 100 ml unless your departure airport confirms otherwise. |
| Australia | 100 ml on international flights | Domestic flights do not apply the liquids limit. |
| Most of Asia & Middle East | 100 ml, one 1-liter bag | Some airports also screen at the boarding gate. |
What Happens If Security Finds a Liquid Over the Limit?
The officer will give you a choice: return to the check-in counter and put the item in a checked bag, hand it to someone who is not traveling, take it back to your car, or leave it at the checkpoint to be discarded. TSA does not hold items for collection. If you are short on time, the item is usually lost — so the cheapest fix is to check your bag before you leave home.
Packing Checklist
- Use containers labeled 3.4 oz / 100 ml or smaller.
- Fit them all in one clear quart bag that closes completely.
- Pack medication, baby formula and breast milk separately and declare them.
- Switch to solid toiletries where you can — they do not count.
- Put full-size bottles, alcohol and aerosols in your checked bag.
- Keep the quart bag at the top of your carry-on so you can remove it quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule?
Containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, all in one clear quart-size bag, one bag per passenger, in your carry-on.
Can I bring a larger bottle if it is only partly full?
No. The size printed on the container is what counts.
Are medications and baby formula exempt?
Yes, in reasonable quantities. Keep them out of the quart bag and declare them at the start of screening.
Has TSA lifted the 3.4 oz limit at airports with CT scanners?
No. CT scanners may let you keep the bag inside your carry-on, but the container limit is unchanged.
Can I bring an empty water bottle?
Yes. Empty bottles are allowed through security, and you can refill them airside.
How much alcohol can I pack in checked luggage?
Up to 5 liters per passenger of drinks between 24% and 70% alcohol, in unopened retail packaging. No TSA limit below 24%; anything over 70% is prohibited.