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Preparing for a trip becomes much simpler when you're clear about what can and can't go in your carry-on bag. To help you avoid unexpected issues at the TSA checkpoint, we've divided the rules into three categories: items allowed in your carry-on, items that need to be checked, and items you can't carry or check—so don't bother packing them. Keep these tips in mind while you're packing, and when picking out new luggage, so you know what fits where.
Items Permitted on a Plane in Your Carry-On
Compact Tools
Certain small tools, including screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, are allowed in carry-on luggage as long as they don't exceed seven inches in length. Other permitted items include nail clippers, pill cutters, bottle openers, and small scissors with blades no longer than four inches from the pivot point. Any other tools should be securely wrapped (especially if sharp) and placed in checked baggage.
Non-flammable liquids, gels, and aerosols—including food, beverages, and toiletries—must be 3.4 ounces or less
Almost all liquids (like drinks, contact lens solution, shampoo, cosmetics, liquid medication, nail polish, perfume/cologne, and face toner); gels (such as hair gel, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and face serum); and aerosols (products in pressurized spray cans, such as hairspray, dry shampoo, and spray deodorant) are allowed in carry-on luggage. However, they must each be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces, and all must fit inside a single quart-size, clear, zip-top plastic bag. This is the 3-1-1 rule, which also applies to food like peanut butter and soft cheeses like brie, as well as alcohol (mini bottles of alcohol are permitted as long as the content is under 70%). So, for example, if you have a six-ounce lotion bottle with more than half used, you still can't bring it on board. However, exceptions exist for medically necessary liquids such as insulin and baby formula.
Contact lens solution can be tricky when packing. As a medically necessary liquid, you can bring more than the 3-1-1 rule allows. However, there's a chance it may be seized since some contact lens solutions might be flagged when tested for chemicals not allowed. To avoid having your solution confiscated, pack a small amount for the flight and place a larger bottle in your checked baggage.
Lighters and matches
Travelers are allowed to bring a standard lighter and a single book of safety matches in their carry-on baggage. However, strike-anywhere matches, which can ignite when struck against any rough surface, are strictly forbidden in both checked and carry-on bags. Additionally, no matches, including safety matches, are permitted in checked luggage.
Batteries
You can bring dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D) in both carry-on and checked bags. Lithium batteries that are 100 watt hours or smaller may be carried in either type of luggage, as long as they are inside a device. Loose lithium batteries are only allowed in carry-on luggage and cannot be checked.
Knitting Needles
Knitting materials and needlepoint supplies are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage. Just be sure to wrap or protect any knitting needles to avoid causing injury to luggage handlers or security personnel during inspection.
Gifts
You are allowed to bring wrapped gifts on board as long as the contents comply with safety and security guidelines. However, because security staff may need to unwrap gifts for inspection, it's a good idea to leave them unwrapped until you reach your destination.
Electronics
Portable electronic devices are generally permitted onboard. Smaller devices like smartphones and tablets don’t need to be removed from your bag during screening. However, larger electronics, such as laptops, full-sized video game consoles, and DVD players, must be taken out of their cases, placed in a separate bin, and screened individually during security checks.
Medication and Medical Equipment
Both prescription and over-the-counter medications are allowed in any amount in your carry-on luggage. Additional medical necessities like inhalers, EpiPens, canes, casts, blood sugar testing kits, crutches, liquid nutrition for passengers with disabilities, and items used for medical or cosmetic reasons (e.g., mastectomy products) can also be brought along in carry-on luggage. These items should be declared to security personnel before going through screening and may be subject to additional checks.
Baby food, equipment, and needs
When traveling with a baby or small child, you are allowed to bring items like baby formula, breast milk, juice, gel- or liquid-filled teethers, and canned, jarred, or processed baby food onto the plane. These items don’t need to adhere to the 3-1-1 liquid rule, but they must be removed from your carry-on luggage, declared to security, and will be subject to extra screening. Along with food and formula, baby wipes, child car seats, breast pumps, and baby carriers can be taken through security and onto the aircraft.
Expensive items
Though not strictly required, it is advisable to carry valuables such as jewelry, cash, and other precious items with you, as long as they comply with security regulations. For better organization, store them in a separate compartment of your travel bags or carry-on bags.
E-liquids, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices
You can bring e-liquids on board as long as they are in containers under 3.4 ounces, with larger amounts needing to be checked. Battery-operated devices such as e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems are permitted only in your carry-on or on your person. The FAA prohibits these devices in checked baggage.
Disposable and electric razors
Both disposable and electric razors can be packed in either carry-on or checked luggage. However, safety razors and straight razors must be packed in checked baggage.
Wedding dress
You can bring your wedding dress through security and onto the plane, but it's important to prepare it carefully. Pack the dress securely in a protective garment bag. Check with your airline about their specific policy for storing the dress safely in the cabin and whether it counts as your carry-on item. (Additional fees may apply for storing the dress.) Arriving early at the airport is also recommended to ensure you have enough time to clear security and discuss stowing the dress with an airline representative.
Small pets
Small pets can travel with passengers through security, but you'll need to confirm your airline's policy. Pets must be removed from their carrier (which will also need to be screened) and undergo security screening.
Restricted Items NOT Allowed on a Plane in Your Carry-On
Sharp objects
Sharp objects can be found in a variety of tools, including box cutters, ice axes, knives (excluding plastic or rounded butter knives), meat cleavers, razor blades, and scissors longer than four inches (smaller scissors are allowed). When packing sharp objects in your checked baggage, ensure they are properly covered or securely wrapped to prevent injuries to baggage handlers and security personnel.
Sports and recreational equipment
Except for balls, many types of sports gear—such as baseball bats, golf clubs, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, martial arts weapons, hiking poles, and tent stakes/poles—are banned from being carried in your carry-on bag and must be checked in. Certain items like tennis rackets, fishing rods, snowshoes, and longboards are exceptions. Bicycles can sometimes be brought on board, but the policy varies between airlines, so always check with your airline for specific rules.
Self-defense tools
Self-defense sprays, including mace and pepper spray, along with items like billy clubs, brass knuckles, black jacks, kubotans, and other martial arts tools, are strictly prohibited through security checkpoints.
Gel-based candles
While solid wax candles are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage, gel-type candles are only allowed in checked baggage.
Large alcohol quantities (over 3.4 ounces)
You may check up to five liters of alcoholic beverages (as long as they contain less than 70% alcohol) in their original sealed packaging.
Firearms and ammunition
Ammunition that is properly packaged, along with unloaded firearms, BB guns, paintball markers, pellet guns, starter pistols, and replicas, may be transported in checked baggage, but they must be declared at check-in. According to TSA regulations for firearms: "Firearms placed in checked luggage must be unloaded, securely packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in." For ammunition: "Small arms ammunition should be securely packed in fiber, wood, or metal boxes, or in packaging designed specifically for small amounts of ammunition. Contact the airline for restrictions or fees." When in doubt, consult your airline for detailed firearm check-in guidelines.
Prohibited Items for Check-in and Carry-on, Leave Them Behind
Alcoholic drinks exceeding 140 proof
Any alcoholic beverage containing more than 70% alcohol, including grain alcohol and 151-proof rum, is prohibited from being checked or brought in your carry-on bag.
Flammable materials
Aerosol cans (with the exception of small personal care items that are 3.4 ounces or less), butane, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, flammable paints, turpentine, paint thinner, arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, E-lighters, and replicas of incendiary devices are prohibited from being transported on passenger flights.
Explosive substances
Items such as fireworks, flares, hand grenades, blasting caps, dynamite, and replicas of explosive materials are prohibited from being carried onboard aircraft.
Chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, spillable batteries, spray paint, fertilizers, tear gas, and fire extinguishers are classified as hazardous and cannot be brought onto commercial passenger flights.
Chlorine, bleach, spillable batteries, spray paint, fertilizers, tear gas, and fire extinguishers are regarded as dangerous and are not allowed on commercial passenger aircraft.
Outdoor and wildlife safety items
Items such as bear bangers (designed to deter bears without causing harm) and bear spray are not permitted on commercial flights.
Consequences for non-compliance
The agency may impose fines that can reach several thousand dollars for attempting to bring prohibited weapons or dangerous materials onto a flight. In some cases, you may be required to surrender the item, leave the security line to check it, or, if it's a liquid, discard some of it (and then return to security). Certain items might need further screening, and the TSA officer has the authority to make the final decision on what is allowed through security.
What to do if you're uncertain about carrying an item?
A comprehensive (and searchable) list is available on the TSA website, covering many potential gray-area items, as well as clear-cut ones. For example, who would have thought you could bring light sabers or bowling balls in both checked and carry-on luggage? But it's pretty clear that books are allowed in either place!
If you have a question not addressed on the site—though that's unlikely—you can always text 'Travel' to AskTSA (275-872) for an answer.
