No—6 oz toothpaste exceeds the 3-1-1 carry-on limit; put it in checked bags. Carry-on tubes must be 3.4 oz (100 mL) or smaller.
What the 3-1-1 rule means
Toothpaste counts as a paste under the standard liquids rule. At screening, each traveler may bring one quart sized bag that holds small containers up to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters each. A 6 ounce tube sits above that cap, even when half used, so it cannot ride in the clear bag. Place it in checked luggage instead.
The cap applies to pastes, gels, creams, aerosols, and similar items. Mouthwash, lotion, sunscreen, hair gel, and contact solution share the same rule. Electric razors and toothbrush handles follow different rules since they are not liquids. Lithium batteries have their own limits and do not change toothpaste sizing.
Carry-on vs checked at a glance
| Item | Carry-on | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toothpaste, 3.4 oz / 100 mL or less | Yes, in quart bag | One liquids bag per traveler |
| Toothpaste, 6 oz tube | No | Pack in checked baggage |
| Toothpaste tablets or powder | Yes | Treated as solids |
| Mouthwash, travel size | Yes, in quart bag | Up to 3.4 oz per bottle |
| Electric toothbrush | Yes | Keep spare lithium cells in cabin |
| Dental floss | Yes | No liquid rule |
| Whitening strips | Yes | Leave in retail pouch |
Bringing 6 ounce toothpaste in carry-on — what rules say
A 6 ounce tube is not permitted in a carry-on because the labeled capacity is above 100 milliliters. Screeners judge the size by the maximum printed volume on the package, not by how much paste remains. A partly used tube still reads as a 6 ounce container, so it must travel in checked baggage.
What if the tube is half full?
That does not change the call. The label sets the size. Officers cannot measure contents at the belt, so they read the printed capacity. If it says 6 oz, it does not pass in the liquids bag.
Can I transfer paste into a small tube?
Yes. Move paste into travel bottles or tubes that list 3.4 oz or less, then place them in the quart bag. Food grade squeeze tubes and refillable silicone bottles work well. Mark the volume, tighten caps, and stand them upright to cut down on mess after cabin pressure changes.
Why the rule exists and how it is applied
Pastes and gels behave like liquids. They spread, fill a shape, and can mix with other substances. Checkpoints use X ray and other tools to assess these items. To keep lines moving, officers follow a simple size cap per container rather than weighing or sampling. That is why the printed size matters more than how much paste sits inside.
Officers have the final say at the lane. Pack neatly, use see through bags, and keep your liquids bag ready to pull if your airport still asks for it. Some scanners let you leave the bag inside, yet the 100 milliliter cap still applies unless your airport posts different rules.
Size math that keeps you safe
It helps to know a few quick numbers when you shop or refill.
- 100 milliliters equals 3.4 ounces.
- 6 ounces is about 177 milliliters.
- Many “travel size” tubes range from 0.75 oz to 3.4 oz.
- A quart bag holds many small containers, but each item must meet the per bottle cap.
Buy tubes with the size printed on the label. If a refill bottle has faint markings, add a small sticker with “100 mL” or the ounce value. Clear, legible labels reduce questions and speed your pass through the belt.
Why container size, not contents, controls
Container size is easy to verify at a glance. That keeps the line steady and consistent. If content level ruled the day, every half used tube would need a manual check. That would slow lanes and raise disputes. A printed capacity gives a clean, fast read for everyone.
Pack toothpaste the smart way
If you want paste in your cabin bag, pick small tubes from the start. Many brands sell 0.85 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz, and 3.4 oz options. For a long trip, bring two or three small tubes in your one quart bag. That spreads risk as well, since a single leak will not coat the rest of your kit.
Another route is to keep a small tube in your backpack and place a large spare in checked baggage. If your checked case goes a different way, the small tube covers your first night. If you travel carry-on only, go with tablets or powder and skip the liquids bag entirely.
Toothpaste tablets and powder
Tablets and powder count as solids at most checkpoints. They do not sit in the liquids bag and are not limited by the 3.4 ounce cap. Keep them in a clean, labeled container so they look like personal care items, not loose pellets. Bring only what you need for the trip and keep a spare pouch in case a lid pops open.
How to pack tablets
Pick a small hard case with a tight lid. Add a tiny food safe desiccant pack if you will visit humid places. Keep a few tablets in a pocket pill tube for the flight and short day trips. If you use powder, double bag it and add a label with the product name to avoid confusion.
Family travel tips
Each traveler gets one liquids bag. A family of four can carry four quart bags through the lane. Split items by person instead of stuffing one bag to the brim. That way every bag zips closed and lays flat on the belt. For kids, pre pack a small paste, a tiny lotion, and any child meds that your route allows.
Share the load
Give each person a tube that fits their needs. That prevents a single bag from bulging and lowers the chance of a leak. Recheck sizes the night before you fly, then put every bag near the top of each carry-on for quick access.
Checked baggage rules for toothpaste
There is no size cap for paste inside checked luggage in most regions. A 6 ounce tube can ride there with no issue. Pack to prevent leaks: tape the cap, place the tube in a zip pouch, and cushion it between soft items. If you pack an extra large pump bottle, use a screw top travel cap or place the pump in a rigid case to limit pressure bursts.
On trips with connections, bags move through belts and loaders more than once. Give toiletries a buffer zone. Keep paste and liquids near the edge of the case for easy repacking at your hotel. A small roll of tape in the kit helps if a cap cracks during the trip.
What official sources say
U.S. rules cap each carry-on liquid or paste at 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters inside a single quart bag for each traveler. Toothpaste is listed under that rule, and larger containers belong in checked baggage. Read the full description on the TSA liquids page.
Many countries use the same 100 milliliter cap. In the United Kingdom, the government page notes the 100 milliliter limit and states that a larger container cannot pass even when only part full. It also notes that some airports now allow up to two liters due to new scanners, yet that does not apply everywhere. See the guidance on UK hand luggage liquids.
Carry-on liquids kit that passes screening
A tidy kit speeds your trip through the lane. Use a sturdy quart bag with a wide zip that seals shut without strain. Line up tubes with labels facing out, not stacked on top of each other. Keep a small microfiber cloth in the bag to wipe off any residue after screening.
| Item | Max container | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Toothpaste | 3.4 oz / 100 mL | Pack two small tubes, not one big tube |
| Mouthwash | 3.4 oz / 100 mL | Use a leak proof screw cap |
| Face wash | 3.4 oz / 100 mL | Choose a flip top that locks |
| Sunscreen | 3.4 oz / 100 mL | Add a stick to save bag space |
| Lotion | 3.4 oz / 100 mL | Refill from a larger bottle at home |
| Hand sanitizer | Follow local cap | Rules can change by airport |
Trip length playbook
Overnight to weekend: One 1 oz tube is plenty for a solo trip. Tablets are even lighter and pack small. Pair with a mini mouthwash and a lip balm in the same bag.
One to two weeks: Two 1.5 to 2 oz tubes, or a pack of tablets, fits most travelers. If you share a bathroom with friends or family, give each person their own tube to cut down on mess and swapping.
Three weeks or longer: Carry a 3.4 oz tube in the quart bag and put a larger backup in checked baggage. If you fly with carry-on only, bring tablets and buy a small tube at your destination for backup.
Refill and labeling tips
Refilling saves space and cash. Use a small funnel and a stable surface. Fill below the brim to leave expansion room. Wipe threads before capping to stop slow leaks. If the new container has no printed size, add a clear sticker that shows “100 mL” or the ounce value in bold text.
Pick containers with firm walls. Super soft tubes can ooze under pressure. Flip top lids are quick in hotel bathrooms, while screw caps seal tighter in transit. Test a bottle at home by shaking it over a sink. A one minute shake is a quick stress check.
What to do at the lane if questioned
Stay calm and friendly. State that your tube is 100 milliliters or less and show the label. If a tube has a worn print, show the sticker you added. If the officer still doubts the size, you can ask for a lead officer to review the item. The final call rests with the officer team at that checkpoint.
Stay calm and ask nicely
Short, clear replies help. Keep your liquids bag unzipped on top of your carry-on so you can present it when asked. If a tube is pulled, do not argue in the lane. Step aside as requested, answer questions, and be ready with a backup plan if the item is not cleared.
Buy after security or at destination
Shops past the checkpoint sell travel size paste that you can bring on the plane without adding it to your liquids bag for that flight segment. Many hotels and guesthouses sell or provide small tubes as well. If you land late, a small tube from an airport shop can bridge the first night, and you can restock in town the next day.
Common mistakes that trigger bag checks
Travelers often toss a full size tube into a carry-on by habit during a rush to pack. That leads to a bin pull and a slow lane. Do a quick sweep of your dopp kit before you leave home. Pull large tubes and move them to checked baggage or a bathroom drawer.
Another pitfall is the oversized liquids bag. The cap is per container, but the entire bag must still zip closed. If you stuff the bag until it bulges, it can leak or pop open. Swap a liquid for a solid where you can, such as a deodorant stick over a gel, or a bar cleanser over a liquid wash.
Clear labeling helps. If you refill unmarked bottles, add a size sticker. Screeners read the label to judge the volume. A marked 90 milliliter bottle passes more smoothly than a blank bottle that looks large on the X ray.
Final check before you zip the bag
Pick small tubes for your carry-on, or choose tablets and skip the liquids bag. Place any 6 ounce toothpaste in checked baggage. Pack neatly, label sizes, and keep your liquids bag handy at the belt. With a clean kit and the right sizes, you will breeze through the lane and keep your teeth clean on the road.