Yes, you can bring a small toothpaste on a plane — as long as the tube is 3.4 oz/100 ml or less and fits in one quart-size liquids bag; bigger tubes ride in checked bags.
Carry-On Toothpaste Rules At A Glance
Toothpaste counts as a paste under the liquids rule that also covers gels and creams. Here’s the quick view for carry-on and checked bags so you can pack with zero fuss.
| Item | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Standard toothpaste (gel/paste) | ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 ml, inside 1-quart bag | No size cap; cap the tube and bag it |
| Toothpaste tablets | Allowed; keep dry (no liquid pre-mix) | Allowed |
| Powdered toothpaste | Allowed; large amounts can get extra screening on some routes | Allowed |
| Prescription dental gels | Allowed in larger sizes when declared as medically needed | Allowed |
What The 3-1-1 Rule Means For Toothpaste
The liquids rule limits each container to 3.4 oz (100 ml). All your small liquids must fit in one clear, resealable quart-size bag. Toothpaste is named under this rule on the TSA 3-1-1 liquids page, so treat every tube like any other liquid item in your kit.
How Big Can A Tube Be?
Any tube at or under 3.4 oz / 100 ml is fine in your carry-on liquids bag. A 4 oz tube doesn’t qualify for carry-on even if it’s half empty; the printed container size is what counts. UK guidance spells this out clearly: containers larger than 100 ml can’t pass security even when part full — see the UK liquids rules.
Does The Quart Bag Need To Close?
Yes. Your liquids bag must close flat with a simple zip. If it won’t close, expect items to be pulled aside. Keep the bag near the top of your carry-on so you can place it in a tray without digging.
Can I Pack Toothpaste In Checked Luggage?
Yes. Checked bags don’t have the 3.4 oz / 100 ml cap for toothpaste. Seal the cap tight, wrap the tube in a small pouch or cling film, and cushion it in the middle of clothing. If you’re packing more than one full-size tube, split them across different pouches so a single leak doesn’t reach the rest of the bag.
What Counts As Toothpaste At Screening
Screeners group toothpaste with other pastes, gels, and creams. That includes whitening pastes, sensitivity pastes, kids’ pastes, and gel strips sold in tubes. Twist-up sticks that smear like a paste are treated the same way for carry-on limits.
What About Toothpaste Tablets?
Dry chewable tablets are a neat workaround because they aren’t a liquid. Keep them in a small bottle or tin. If you pre-mix them with water before the checkpoint, the mix becomes a liquid and has to sit in your quart bag.
Where Do Powdered Pastes Fit?
Small jars of powder are fine in carry-on. On some inbound flights to the U.S., powders above 12 oz / 350 ml can get extra screening, so keep dental powders in modest jars to speed things along. A travel-size jar paired with a small tube gives you plenty of brushing days.
Half-Full Tubes, Multipacks, And Travel Kits
Security looks at the container’s printed capacity, not how much paste is left. A 125 ml tube labeled that way can’t enter your liquids bag even if squeezed down. Travel multipacks are fine as long as each tube is at or under 100 ml and everything fits in the one quart bag. Pre-made amenity kits count each liquid inside them separately; remove the kit and place it in a tray so the liquids are visible.
Duty-Free Toothpaste And Connections
Dentifrice isn’t a common duty-free buy, but the rule matters for connections. Liquids over 100 ml purchased airside can pass screening only when sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt and when the next airport accepts those bags. U.S. guidance still advises putting any item over 100 ml in checked luggage even if sealed. If you’ll re-clear security on a connection, pack for the strictest checkpoint on your route.
Regional Notes And Why They Matter
Most airports worldwide still follow the 100 ml limit and the single 1-quart or 1-liter bag. A handful with newer CT scanners now allow larger containers, but the change isn’t universal and can differ by terminal. If one airport on your trip still uses the 100 ml cap, that checkpoint sets the bar. Packing to the stricter rule keeps your kit safe across every leg.
Toothpaste Sizes: Ounces To Milliliters
Labels can be confusing because some list weight in grams and others list fluid ounces. The liquids rule is about container volume. When in doubt, pick tubes that show ounces or milliliters clearly, or choose a travel-size four-pack so you’re never pushing the limit. Use the quick chart below to pick a tube that meets the carry-on cap at a glance.
| Tube Label | Volume For 3-1-1 | Carry-On OK? |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 oz / 15 ml | Under limit | Yes |
| 0.85 oz / 25 ml | Under limit | Yes |
| 1.0 oz / 30 ml | Under limit | Yes |
| 1.5 oz / 45 ml | Under limit | Yes |
| 2.5 oz / 75 ml | Under limit | Yes |
| 3.0 oz / 90 ml | Under limit | Yes |
| 3.4 oz / 100 ml | At limit | Yes |
| 4.0 oz / 118 ml | Over limit | No (carry-on); checked only |
| 6.0 oz / 177 ml | Over limit | No (carry-on); checked only |
Kids’ Toothpaste, Dental Gels, And Medical Needs
Kids’ pastes follow the same size cap. Fluoride gels and prescription dental pastes can exceed 3.4 oz in carry-on when treated as medically needed items. Tell the officer at the start of screening and keep them ready for separate inspection. Pack only what you need for the trip and keep labels visible to speed the check.
Taking A Small Toothpaste On A Plane — Common Variations
Searching “bring a small toothpaste on a plane,” “taking a mini toothpaste in carry-on,” or “small toothpaste in hand luggage” all points to the same rule set: each container must be at or under 3.4 oz / 100 ml and the lot must fit in one quart-size bag. Larger containers go in checked luggage. Mix a tiny tube with tablets or powder if you want extra days without crossing the cap.
Packing Tips To Speed Your Checkpoint
Build A Ready-To-Go Liquids Bag
Use a clear, flat quart bag with a strong zip. Load your toothpaste first, then mouthwash, face wash, sunscreen, and any sprays. Keep the bag at the top of your personal item so you can lift it out fast if your lane still asks for separation. TSA PreCheck lanes often allow the bag to stay inside, but having it on top still saves time if your tray gets pulled.
Pick A Leak-Safe Tube
Flip-caps tend to leak less than screw-caps. Add a strip of tape over the seam, squeeze a touch of air out, then slide the tube into a small pouch. If you’re flying to a high-altitude airport, that tiny bit of pre-squeeze helps prevent pressure burps mid-flight.
Bring A Backup Plan
A single 0.85 oz travel tube often lasts a week for one person. For a long trip, carry two small tubes in the same quart bag, or stash full-size tubes in checked luggage. You can also pair a small tube with tablets to stretch days between refills without reaching for oversize containers.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Don’t toss a half-full 150 ml family tube into your carry-on hoping it will pass; it won’t. Don’t over-stuff the quart bag so it can’t close — that’s an instant slow-down. Don’t bury the liquids bag under clothes; you’ll end up unpacking on the belt. And don’t pre-wet tablets before screening.
Taking A Small Toothpaste In Checked Luggage
Short trip and no carry-on? You can still pack a small tube in a checked bag. Place it inside a sealed pouch or a small zip bag and tuck it between soft layers. Checked bags can take a few bumps, so give fragile caps some padding and keep any glass jars away from hard edges.
Taking Toothpaste On International Flights
Flying abroad doesn’t change the carry-on container limit. Stick to 100 ml or less in one 1-quart or 1-liter bag. Some airports now run scanners that allow larger sizes, but many still use the classic cap. If you’ll transit through more than one hub, pack for the strictest checkpoint you’ll meet. That way your kit passes everywhere without a second thought.
Taking Toothpaste In Your Personal Item
Airlines treat the liquids bag the same whether it sits in a roller, tote, or backpack. Keep the toothpaste in the quart bag and you’re all set. If you gate-check your roller, move the liquids bag to your small backpack before boarding so it stays with you at the seat.
Taking An Aerosol Breath Spray Or Mouthwash
Breath spray and mouthwash follow the same 3-1-1 cap. Tiny sprays fit the quart bag like a small toothpaste tube. Full-size bottles belong in checked luggage. If you prefer rinses over gels, pick a 100 ml travel bottle and refill at your destination.
How To Read Labels Without Guesswork
Many dental items list weight (g) rather than volume (ml). The rule focuses on the container’s stated capacity, so you don’t have to convert product weight into fluid ounces. Look for ml or oz on the package near the barcode or the ingredients block. If a family tube only lists grams and looks big, treat it like an oversize container for carry-on and move it to checked bags. When buying travel sizes, pick tubes that print 100 ml or less right on the front — it makes the checkpoint chat short and sweet.
Bottom Line
Yes, a small toothpaste is allowed on planes worldwide when the tube is 100 ml / 3.4 oz or less and sits in your single quart-size bag. Larger tubes travel safely in checked luggage. Use travel tubes, tablets, or powders to keep your kit light and your checkpoint smooth — and you’ll land with a fresh smile, every time.