What You Can Bring in Carry-On Luggage
TSA allows standard carry-on bags with dimensions up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including wheels and handles, and personal items like laptops, jackets, and small backpacks. Liquids, gels, and aerosols must follow the 3-1-1 rule: containers of 3.4 ounces or less, all fitting in one quart-sized clear bag per passenger, with exceptions for medically necessary liquids, baby formula, and breast milk declared at the checkpoint. Electronics larger than a phone must be removed from bags and placed in separate bins, while power banks and spare lithium batteries are allowed only in carry-on luggage, not checked bags, with watt-hour limits typically capped at 100 Wh for most consumer devices without airline approval. For detailed guidance on current size limits and prohibited carry-on items, see the official TSA rules page at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring.
Medications, Foods, and Special Items
Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including liquids in larger quantities, are permitted after screening, and TSA advises keeping them in original labeled containers and declaring them at the checkpoint. Solid foods, including snacks, wrapped candy, and dry items, generally pass through security, while creamy, liquid, or gel-based foods such as soups, sauces, and yogurt must comply with the 3-1-1 rule or be packed in checked luggage. Baby food, breast milk, juice for infants, and medically necessary items may exceed liquid limits if declared and separated for inspection, and ice packs or gel packs used to keep these items cool are allowed if partially frozen at the time of screening.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
TSA prohibits weapons, firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, and realistic replicas in both carry-on and checked bags, and sharp objects such as box cutters, knives with blades longer than 2.36 inches, and scissors with blades longer than 4 inches are not allowed in carry-on luggage. Tools such as saws, screwdrivers, and wrenches longer than 7 inches must be placed in checked bags, while certain sporting goods like bats, golf clubs, and hockey sticks are restricted to checked luggage, and self-defense items including pepper spray and tasers are strictly forbidden in both carry-on and checked baggage.
Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rules
The 3-1-1 liquids rule applies to all containers of shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, hairspray, and similar items, with each container limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and all containers fitting comfortably in a single quart-sized resealable bag. Exceptions include medically necessary liquids, baby formula, breast milk, juice for infants, and liquids for passengers with disabilities or medical conditions, which must be declared and may undergo additional screening, while duty-free liquids purchased in sealed security bags after the checkpoint are allowed on international connecting flights under specific conditions.
Electronics, Batteries, and Power Devices
Laptops, tablets, cameras, e-readers, and portable game consoles must be removed from bags and placed in separate bins for X-ray screening, and TSA recommends keeping devices easily accessible to reduce delays during the security process. Spare lithium batteries, including AA, AAA, and rechargeable packs, are permitted only in carry-on luggage, with lithium metal batteries limited to a maximum of 2 grams of lithium per battery and lithium-ion batteries generally capped at 100 watt-hours without airline approval, while devices with larger batteries may require airline permission and must be protected against accidental activation and short circuits.
Power Banks, Charging Cables, and Portable Chargers
Portable