TSA Rules Guide (2026)

Overview: Understanding TSA Rules

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens every passenger and bag that passes through US airport security. Knowing the TSA rules before you arrive at the checkpoint is the single best way to avoid confiscated items, secondary screening, and missed flights. The core rules cover what you can pack in carry-on versus checked bags, how liquids are limited, and which items — like spare batteries and vapes — must travel in the cabin only.

This guide brings together every major TSA carry-on rule in one place: liquids, food, electronics, power banks, batteries, vapes, medication, and traveling with a family. Whenever you want a fast, specific answer for a single item, use the Can I Bring This on a Plane tool — it returns TSA carry-on and checked-bag rules for almost anything in seconds.

• Liquids limited to 3.4 oz in carry-on
• Spare batteries & power banks: carry-on only
• Electronics allowed, screened separately
• Medication exempt from 3-1-1 limits

Carry-On Rules

Your carry-on bag goes through the X-ray scanner and is subject to the strictest item rules, because anything in the cabin must be safe in an enclosed space. Most personal items, clothing, electronics, and snacks are fine. The main restrictions are on liquids (the 3-1-1 rule), sharp objects, and certain tools. Some items that are banned from checked bags — like power banks, spare lithium batteries, and vapes — are actually required to be in carry-on.

A good rule of thumb: valuables, electronics, batteries, and medication go in carry-on; full-size liquids and sharp grooming tools go in checked bags. When you're unsure about a specific item, check the TSA rules for electronics or run it through the item checker.

TSA Liquids Rules

The TSA 3-1-1 rule governs all carry-on liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes. Each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all containers must fit in one quart-sized clear resealable bag, and each passenger is allowed one such bag. Common items that count as liquids include shampoo, sunscreen, toothpaste, peanut butter, and aerosol deodorant.

Larger liquids belong in checked bags. Exceptions to 3-1-1 include medications, baby formula, and breast milk, which can exceed the limit but should be declared for separate screening. For the full breakdown, read TSA Carry-On Liquid Rules, plus item-specific guides on deodorant, perfume, and makeup.

TSA Food Rules

Solid foods are welcome in carry-on bags — sandwiches, snacks, fruit, baked goods, and packaged meals all pass through with no quantity limit. The catch is anything that's spreadable, pourable, or squeezable: yogurt, peanut butter, hummus, soups, and sauces are treated as liquids and must follow the 3-1-1 rule unless packed in checked bags.

Traveling internationally? Be aware that fresh produce, meats, and certain foods may be restricted at your destination's customs. For the complete US screening breakdown, see Can I Bring Food Through TSA?

TSA Electronics Rules

Laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, gaming consoles, and phones are all allowed in carry-on bags. Unless you have TSA PreCheck, any electronic larger than a phone — especially laptops — must be removed from your bag and placed in its own bin for X-ray screening. Keeping these near the top of your bag speeds up the process.

It's smart to carry valuable electronics in the cabin rather than checking them, both for security and because devices with lithium batteries are safer in the cabin. Full details are in our TSA Rules for Electronics and Can I Bring a Laptop on a Plane? guides.

TSA Power Bank Rules

Power banks are lithium-ion batteries and must travel in your carry-on bag only — they are prohibited in checked luggage because of fire risk. Capacity matters: power banks up to 100 watt-hours (Wh) are allowed without airline approval, those between 100–160 Wh need airline approval (and are usually limited to two), and anything over 160 Wh is not permitted.

Most consumer power banks list their capacity in mAh; you can convert to watt-hours with the formula Wh = (mAh × voltage) ÷ 1000. The complete guidance lives in Can I Bring a Power Bank on a Plane? and TSA Rules for Power Banks.

TSA Battery Rules

Battery rules depend on the type. Standard alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt) are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags. Spare lithium batteries — including those for cameras, laptops, and power tools — must be carried in the cabin and should have their terminals protected against short-circuiting. Lithium batteries installed inside a device can usually go in either bag, though carry-on is recommended.

The full breakdown of lithium, spare, and installed batteries is in Can I Bring Batteries on a Plane?

TSA Vape Rules

Vapes and e-cigarettes must be packed in your carry-on bag or kept on your person — they are banned from checked luggage because their lithium batteries pose a fire hazard. You cannot use or charge a vape during the flight, and any vape juice must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on.

Always check destination laws too, since some countries and states restrict vaping products. The complete rundown is in Can I Bring a Vape on a Plane?

TSA Medication Rules

Medication gets special treatment at the checkpoint. Pills and solid medications have no quantity limit and can be in carry-on or checked bags. Liquid medications are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule — you can bring more than 3.4 oz — but you should declare them to the officer so they can be screened separately. The same applies to medical gels, syringes, and cooling accessories for medication.

You don't need to keep medications in their original prescription bottles for TSA, though it can speed things up. See Can I Bring Medication on a Plane? for the full picture.

Family Travel

Families get some flexibility at security. Baby formula, breast milk, and juice for infants and toddlers are allowed in reasonable quantities above the 3.4 oz limit — just tell the officer so they can screen them separately. Strollers and car seats go through the X-ray or are inspected by hand.

Children 12 and under can usually keep their shoes on, and families can often use a dedicated family lane. Pack snacks (solid foods are fine) and keep each child's essentials easy to reach.

Airport Security Tips

A few habits make every trip through airport security faster and less stressful:

• Wear slip-on shoes and avoid metal accessories to speed up screening.
• Keep your ID and boarding pass accessible until you clear security.
• Pack your 3-1-1 liquids bag at the top of your carry-on for easy removal.
• Put laptops and large electronics where you can take them out quickly.
• Empty your water bottle before security — you can refill after.
• Consider TSA PreCheck to keep shoes, belts, and laptops in place.
• Arrive at least 2 hours early for domestic and 3 hours for international flights.
• Declare medications and medical devices to the officer if needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

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