Yes—on most flights the 100 ml liquids limit still applies; a few airports with new scanners allow more, and rules can differ by route.
Where The 100 Ml Rule Stands Right Now
Here’s a fast snapshot by region. Always check both departure and return airports before you pack. Policies vary by airport and can shift during equipment roll-outs.
| Region / Country | Carry-On Liquid Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 100 ml (3.4 oz) per container; one quart-size bag | 3-1-1 rule still active; larger bottles go in checked bags. See the TSA link below. |
| United Kingdom | Mostly 100 ml; select airports allow up to 2 litres | Airport-specific. Some sites with CT scanners let you keep liquids in your bag. |
| European Union / EEA | Generally 100 ml | New detection tech is being certified; adoption depends on each airport’s roll-out. |
| Canada | 100 ml | Matches the familiar model at most checkpoints. |
| Australia & New Zealand | 100 ml | Standard limit for carry-on; airline pages list any local tweaks. |
| Middle East & Asia | Commonly 100 ml | Major hubs follow the 100 ml cap; duty-free in STEBs helps during transfers. |
Still Restricted To 100 Ml On A Plane? Regional Reality Check
United States: 3-1-1 Remains The Baseline
In the U.S., the well known 3-1-1 rule stays in force. Each traveler may bring travel-size containers up to 3.4 oz (100 ml) in one clear quart-size bag. Anything bigger rides in checked baggage unless it qualifies for a specific screening exception. Many lanes now use CT scanners that let you keep liquids and electronics inside your bag, but the size cap doesn’t change. See the TSA liquids page for the exact wording.
United Kingdom: Some Airports Permit 2 Litres
The UK began a phased upgrade to CT screening. A handful of airports now let passengers carry liquids in containers up to 2 litres and leave them inside the bag. Others still apply the familiar 100 ml cap. The official guidance is to confirm the current rule for the exact airport, because roll-outs don’t land on the same date everywhere. The government’s summary page is here: Liquids in hand luggage. For a live airport example, see Edinburgh Airport’s security page, which sets a 2 litre limit on site.
European Union And EEA: Standard Cap With Gradual Change
Across the EU and EEA, the 100 ml limit still appears at most checkpoints. Aviation bodies approved testing paths for systems that can screen larger volumes, paving the way for wider shifts. Airports need certified machines in place before any local rule change. That means timing differs by country and field, and mixed rules can show up during transfers.
What Counts As A Liquid, Gel, Paste, Or Aerosol
If it can spill, spray, spread, pump, or pour, treat it as a liquid at screening. That list covers drinks, soups, sauces, oils, honey, jam, soft cheese, yogurt, puddings, nut butters, face creams, serums, mascara, foundation, hair gel, pomade, toothpaste, mouthwash, contact-lens solution, and vape juice. Sprays and foams count as well. A 150 ml can that’s half full still breaks the limit for carry-on.
Items That Catch People Off Guard
- Peanut butter and chocolate spread count as liquids in the lane.
- Snow globes count as liquids unless the globe is tiny and fully within 100 ml.
- Protein shakes and smoothies sit with the liquids, even when they look thick.
- Stick deodorant is usually fine; gels and sprays belong in the liquids bag.
- Candle tins with soft wax can trigger liquid rules; place them in checked bags.
Exceptions That Allow More Than 100 Ml
Screeners allow larger quantities in a few clear cases. Pack them for quick inspection and declare them at the checkpoint.
Medicine And Medically Needed Liquids
Prescription liquids, liquid nutrition, saline, and related items may exceed 100 ml. Bring only what you need for the trip, keep labels visible where possible, and be ready for extra screening. A simple note or prescription label speeds the check. In the U.S., these fit outside the 3-1-1 bag after you alert the officer.
Quick Documents That Help
Pharmacy labels, clinic letters, or printouts from your patient portal back up your claim and reduce back-and-forth at the belt. A small zip pouch keeps everything together so you can present it without digging.
Infant Food And Milk
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby foods can go past the 100 ml line in carry-on. Tell the officer, keep them separate from your other liquids, and expect those containers to be screened. Ice packs and gel packs used to keep these items cool are usually fine after inspection.
Duty-Free Purchases In STEBs
Liquor and perfume bought after security can travel through your connection when sealed inside a Secure Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) with the receipt. Keep the bag sealed until you reach your final stop. Security agents may re-screen items at transfer points; a broken seal can lead to refusal.
Taking 100 Ml On A Plane: Packing That Avoids Snags
Carry-On Tactics
Pick travel sizes that list 100 ml or 3.4 oz on the bottle. Use a sturdy quart-size bag with a tight seal. Group your liquids by daily use so you can reach one small kit mid-flight without rummaging. If your airport allows 2 litres, you can keep items in the bag, yet flying home from a 100 ml airport brings the small-bottle rule right back. Pack to the stricter end when any segment lands at a standard checkpoint.
Checked-Bag Tactics
Place full-size bottles in a leak-proof pouch or dry bag near the top of your suitcase. Pad pressurized cans and pump bottles inside shoes or soft clothing. Lock lids with tape or a stretch cap. Aerosols follow airline limits on size and count; leave the trigger locks in place. Fragile glass rides best inside the middle of the bag, wrapped and centered.
Real-World Kits That Work
Weekend city break: one 100 ml face wash, one 100 ml shampoo, one 100 ml body wash, 30 ml moisturizer, 10 ml perfume, 30 ml sunscreen, small toothpaste, balm stick. That set fits a single quart bag with room for a tiny hair product.
Five-night business run: two 100 ml bottles you refill at the hotel, 30 ml hair product, 30 ml aftershave, 10 ml fragrance, small mouthwash, lens solution in a 60–100 ml bottle. Extra full-size bottles travel in the checked case if you bring samples home.
Family trip with infants: infant milk and food ride outside the 100 ml cap after you declare them; keep them separate and ready. Pack a spare set in checked luggage to cover delays.
Route Math: One Itinerary, Many Rules
Your path can flip the rule on you mid-journey. Say you depart from an airport that permits 2 litres, then connect through one that holds the 100 ml cap. Security at the transfer point will apply the stricter cap, which can force you to surrender bottles picked up at the start. The reverse also applies: starting at a 100 ml airport sets the limit from the outset.
Simple Rule Of Thumb
Match your packing to the strictest checkpoint on your route. That includes the return leg and any side trips. If you plan to buy duty-free, ask for STEBs and keep the seal intact until you arrive.
What Goes Where: Quick Reference
Use this table to sort common items. Size caps refer to carry-on. Airlines or countries may add brand-specific limits for aerosols and flammables.
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Water, soda, juice | Up to 100 ml unless the airport allows 2 litres | No size cap; pack to prevent leaks |
| Toiletries (shampoo, lotion) | 100 ml containers in one quart bag | Any size; seal caps and bag |
| Perfume / cologne | 100 ml unless bought duty-free in a sealed STEB | Any size; cushion glass |
| Aerosol deodorant / hairspray | 100 ml can or travel size | Allowed with airline size/quantity limits |
| Contact-lens solution | 100 ml or larger if medically needed | Any size |
| Baby milk & food | Allowed in needed amounts after screening | Any size |
| Peanut butter, soft cheese | 100 ml container | Any size |
| E-cig liquid | 100 ml container; devices in carry-on only | Spare liquid can go in checked bags |
| Sports gels & liquid nutrition | 100 ml, or larger when medically needed | Any size |
How To Breeze Through Security
Build A Two-Bag System
Keep a “flight kit” in your personal item with lip balm, hand cream, sanitizer in a 60–100 ml bottle, and a small toothbrush. Everything else lives in the larger bag. On long trips, refill from the checked bottles at your hotel.
Label And Pre-Portion
Buy a small set of leak-proof bottles and label them. Fill them to 90–95 ml to avoid meniscus errors on rigid bottles. A travel jar works well for face cream and sunscreen sticks, keeping your zip bag compact.
Label Tips That Save Time
Use simple abbreviations: “SH” for shampoo, “BW” for body wash, “FW” for face wash. Place the label near the base so a high-fill bottle doesn’t hide it. Keep a short note in your notes app listing what’s in the kit to speed repacking.
Know When 2 Litres Helps
If your airport allows 2 litres, keep your routine bottles in your carry-on on the way out. For the return, transfer what you’ll need into 100 ml containers or plan to check the larger ones. That way you gain comfort one way and avoid losses on the way back.
Edge Cases People Ask About
Frozen Liquids
Ice packs and frozen drinks often melt by the time you reach the lane. Expect them to be screened as liquids. Medical ice packs carried for cooling medicine or baby milk are usually fine when declared.
Solid Toiletries
Bar soap, solid shampoo, and balm sticks don’t count as liquids. These free up space in your zip bag and remove leak risk. Many brands sell “bar” versions of popular products that pass easily.
Powders
Baby powder, protein powder, and spices are not liquids, yet larger quantities may be pulled for extra checks. Pack powders in original containers and keep totals modest in carry-on. If you bring big tubs, checked bags handle them better.
Spray Sunscreen And Bug Spray
Sprays belong in the liquids group. A 100 ml travel can is fine for carry-on. Family-size cans ride in checked bags, cushioned inside clothing. Many travelers switch to lotion or stick formats to save room in the quart bag.
How This Guide Was Built
Policy details come from official sources and live airport notices. For the U.S., see the Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 page. For the UK, see the government liquids page. For a current airport with a 2 litre limit, see Edinburgh Airport security. Rules can change, so check your exact airports before you fly.
The Bottom Line For Smart Packing
Yes, the 100 ml cap still rules the sky on most routes. Some UK airports now clear up to 2 litres, and more fields worldwide are testing new scanners. Until upgrades are consistent across your full itinerary, pack as if the strict cap applies. That simple habit protects your gear, your wallet, and your schedule.