How many ounces can you take through TSA?

3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, per container. All containers together must fit inside one quart-sized bag, and each passenger gets one bag.

Does a half-empty bottle count as full?

Yes. TSA measures the container's printed capacity, not how much is left inside it. A partly used 8 oz bottle is still an 8 oz bottle at the checkpoint.

Is deodorant a liquid for TSA?

Stick and solid deodorants are not liquids and can go anywhere in your bag. Gel, roll-on, and spray deodorants are liquids and belong in the quart bag.

Can you bring toothpaste in a carry-on?

Yes, in a tube of 3.4 oz or less, inside the quart bag. Full-size tubes have to go in checked luggage.

Do you have to take the liquids bag out at security?

In standard lanes, yes. Some newer scanners let bags stay packed. Have it reachable rather than buried, and follow the sign at your lane.

Can you bring an empty water bottle through TSA?

Yes. An empty reusable bottle is not a liquid. Fill it after security at a fountain or refill station.

Does makeup count toward the liquid limit?

Liquid and cream makeup does — foundation, mascara, lip gloss, liquid concealer. Powders, pressed compacts, and pencils do not.

Are the TSA liquid rules different for international flights?

Most countries use the same 100 ml limit, but bag size and enforcement vary. Check the rules for your departure airport, not just your home one, since the return leg is screened under local rules.

TSA Liquid Rules for Carry-On: What 3-1-1 Actually Means

Each container must hold 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, and all of them together must fit in a single quart-sized bag. The limit is on the container size, not on how full it is — a half-empty 8 oz bottle still gets taken.

Last updated August 21, 2026

What is the 3-1-1 rule?

Three numbers: 3.4 ounces per container, 1 quart-sized bag, 1 bag per passenger. Everything liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste in your carry-on has to fit inside that one bag.

The rule is about the container, not the contents. Officers read the printed capacity on the bottle. A 6 oz tube with an inch of toothpaste left in it is still a 6 oz tube, and it does not fly.

What counts as a liquid at security?

More than people expect. Toothpaste, sunscreen, deodorant that is not a solid stick, peanut butter, yogurt, mascara, hair gel, and lip gloss all screen as liquids. If it can be poured, spread, sprayed, or squeezed, treat it as one.

Solid alternatives sidestep the rule entirely. A shampoo bar, a stick deodorant, and powdered detergent are not liquids and do not go in the quart bag. On a short trip that is often the difference between one bag and two.

What is exempt from the liquid limit?

Duty-free liquids bought internationally within 48 hours travel in a sealed, tamper-evident bag with the receipt inside, and are exempt on inbound international flights as long as the seal is intact.

Medications, baby formula, and breast milk are screened under separate procedures rather than the quart bag. Declare them at the checkpoint before your bags go on the belt and expect additional screening.

Why does the quart bag have to be transparent?

So the officer can read every container without opening the bag. An opaque toiletry pouch means the bag comes out, gets opened, and gets hand-inspected — which is where most checkpoint delays actually come from.

One zip-top quart bag per person is the standard. Families do not get to pool into one large bag, and a second bag is not permitted even if the first is full.

What happens if a container is over the limit?

It gets surrendered at the checkpoint. There is no fee and no appeal, and you do not get it back. This is why a $40 bottle of sunscreen is a bad thing to discover at the belt.

The fix is decanting before you leave. Move what you need into containers that are printed at 3.4 oz or less, and leave the full-size bottles at home.

Frequently asked questions

How many ounces can you take through TSA?: 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, per container. All containers together must fit inside one quart-sized bag, and each passenger gets one bag.
Does a half-empty bottle count as full?: Yes. TSA measures the container's printed capacity, not how much is left inside it. A partly used 8 oz bottle is still an 8 oz bottle at the checkpoint.
Is deodorant a liquid for TSA?: Stick and solid deodorants are not liquids and can go anywhere in your bag. Gel, roll-on, and spray deodorants are liquids and belong in the quart bag.
Can you bring toothpaste in a carry-on?: Yes, in a tube of 3.4 oz or less, inside the quart bag. Full-size tubes have to go in checked luggage.
Do you have to take the liquids bag out at security?: In standard lanes, yes. Some newer scanners let bags stay packed. Have it reachable rather than buried, and follow the sign at your lane.
Can you bring an empty water bottle through TSA?: Yes. An empty reusable bottle is not a liquid. Fill it after security at a fountain or refill station.
Does makeup count toward the liquid limit?: Liquid and cream makeup does — foundation, mascara, lip gloss, liquid concealer. Powders, pressed compacts, and pencils do not.
Are the TSA liquid rules different for international flights?: Most countries use the same 100 ml limit, but bag size and enforcement vary. Check the rules for your departure airport, not just your home one, since the return leg is screened under local rules.