Yes, you can bring liquids in a carry-on if each bottle is 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and all containers fit inside one quart-size clear zip-top bag.
Airports move fast, and the rules around bottles, gels, and sprays can feel fussy. This guide keeps it simple. You’ll see what counts as a liquid, the 3-1-1 limits, the big exceptions, and easy packing tactics that keep your line time short. For the official baseline, see the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
What The 3-1-1 Rule Means
The rule breaks down like this: containers must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, all bottles together must fit in 1 clear quart-size bag, and each traveler gets 1 bag. Liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols follow the same limit. Keep the bag at the top of your carry-on so you can pull it out quickly if asked.
| Item Type | You Can Bring | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toiletries (shampoo, lotion, toothpaste) | Yes, ≤3.4 oz per bottle | All bottles must fit in one quart-size bag |
| Aerosols (deodorant, hair spray) | Yes, travel size | Cap or valve cover helps avoid leaks |
| Makeup (liquid foundation, mascara) | Yes, travel size | Solid sticks don’t count toward liquids |
| Food spreads (peanut butter, hummus) | Yes, travel size | Treat as liquids if spreadable |
| Drinks from home | No, over 3.4 oz | Buy water after security instead |
| Contact lens solution | Yes, travel size | Medically necessary amounts can exceed with screening |
| Hand sanitizer | Yes, follow current airport signage | Rules can change; pack travel size for simplicity |
Bringing Liquids In Your Carry On: Rules That Matter
Pour bottles into travel containers that match the printed size. Labels on the bottles you carry are what officers see, not the amount inside. The quart bag needs to close flat; if it bulges, trim the kit.
Travel-size aerosols, gels, and creams ride in that same bag. Keep caps tight. If a can leaks at altitude, you’ll be glad the valve was covered.
Exceptions For Medical And Baby Needs
Medically necessary liquids can exceed 3.4 oz in “reasonable quantities” for your trip. Tell the officer at the start of screening and place those items in a separate bin. They may get extra checks or a quick test strip. See the official details in TSA guidance on liquid medications.
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food pouches may exceed 3.4 oz. You don’t need to travel with your child to carry breast milk. Cooling aids like ice packs and gel packs are fine; they may be screened on their own.
Duty-Free Liquids On Connections
Large bottles from duty-free stores can ride in your hand luggage during a U.S. connection if they’re in a sealed, clear STEB (tamper-evident bag), show no signs of tampering, and include the original receipt from the past 48 hours. Keep the bag sealed until you reach your final stop. If the seal is broken, expect it to be refused at the next checkpoint.
Alcohol, Aerosols, And Toiletries
Mini liquor bottles (nips) count as liquids; they must fit inside your quart-size bag. Anything over 70% ABV isn’t allowed in carry-on or checked bags. Personal-care aerosols in travel size are fine; larger cans belong in checked baggage, subject to airline caps.
What Counts As A Liquid
If you can pour it, pump it, smear it, or spread it, treat it as a liquid. That includes toothpaste, lip gloss, mouthwash, salsa, yogurt, jam, soft cheese, snow globes, and glow sticks. Mascara and liquid eyeliner count. Solid sticks like deodorant sticks, bar soap, lipstick, and balm don’t count toward the quart bag.
Packing Strategy That Speeds Screening
Keep the liquids bag at the very top of your carry-on so you can pull it out in one motion if asked. Many lanes won’t need it out; being ready still helps when lines spike.
- Create a “travel set.” Leave a dedicated quart bag packed year-round. Refill after every trip.
- Switch to solids where possible. Try bar shampoo, conditioner bars, and solid fragrance sticks to free space.
- Use leak-proof bottles. Choose true 100 ml/3.4 oz containers with printed volumes. Squeeze bottles with flip caps work well.
- Double-seal. Place your quart bag inside a second zip bag for backup. Cabin pressure can nudge caps open.
- Separate exceptions. Pack medical liquids and baby items outside the quart bag so you can declare them cleanly.
- Mind fragrances. Strong scents can bother seatmates. Keep sprays small and capped tight.
Real-World Scenarios And Easy Fixes
Here are common moments at the checkpoint and what tends to work best. Use this as a quick playbook when you’re packing late at night before an early flight.
| Scenario | Carry-On Outcome | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 12 oz bottle of body lotion in tote | Refused at security | Move to checked bag or pour into travel bottles |
| Full water bottle from home | Refused at security | Empty before the line; refill after you clear |
| Large jar of peanut butter for snacks | Refused if over 3.4 oz | Pack single-serve cups or check the jar |
| Breast milk with ice packs | Allowed with screening | Tell the officer and present items separately |
| Liquid meds in original bottles | Allowed with screening | Present early; keep a copy of the script if you have it |
| Duty-free whiskey on U.S. layover | Allowed if sealed in STEB | Keep the receipt, don’t open the bag until final stop |
| Snow globe souvenir | Refused if over 3.4 oz | Buy a small one or check it |
Mistakes That Get Items Pulled
Overfilling the bag. If the zipper strains, it’s too full. Trim until it closes flat. Officers look for a tidy quart bag.
Unmarked bottles. Plain squeeze tubes without volumes printed can slow things down. Printed sizes remove guesswork.
Loose liquids around the bag. A single lip gloss left in a pocket triggers extra checks. Keep all liquids together.
Breaking the duty-free seal early. Opening a STEB on a layover can make the bottle ineligible. Keep it sealed until you’re done flying.
Forgetting spreadables are liquids. Peanut butter, soft cheese, and dips get flagged often. Pack travel cups or move them to checked luggage.
Carry-On Liquids For Special Trips
Business travel. Keep a minimal kit: face wash, moisturizer, toothpaste, hair product, and a tiny scent. Top up after every trip so you’re always ready.
Camping or trekking. Go light: solid soap, solid sunscreen sticks, and travel bug repellent. Refill your water bottle after screening.
Long international runs. If you plan to shop at duty-free, buy liquids at the last airport before your final stop, ask for a fresh STEB, and save the receipt.
Simple Checklist Before You Go
- Set aside one quart-size clear zip-top bag.
- Pick only the liquids you’ll actually use on this trip.
- Move anything big to your checked bag or pour into travel bottles.
- Put all travel-size bottles, sprays, gels, and pastes in the quart bag.
- Place medical liquids and baby items in a separate pouch for declaration.
- Pack the quart bag at the very top of your carry-on.
- Keep receipts and seals intact for any duty-free liquids.
Why This Rule Exists
Security teams need a quick way to screen common liquids and spot outliers. Standard sizes and one bag per traveler make that scan fast. That speed keeps lines moving and gets you to the gate on time. When your kit follows the template, you spend less time at the bins and more time picking a good seat.
Final Tips That Save Time
Stick with small, labeled bottles. Keep your liquids grouped and easy to reach. Buy drinks after the checkpoint. For medical and baby needs, speak up early and expect an extra check. When in doubt, follow the 3-1-1 baseline and the medication rules. With a tidy quart bag and a little planning, carry-on liquids stop being a hassle and start being easy.