Carry-On Liquids and Medications: TSA Rules Explained

Few things slow a security line like a bag of full size bottles. The liquids rule is simple once you know it, and the exceptions matter most if you take medicine or travel with a baby. Here is what to pack, and how to keep it quick.

Key takeaways

• Carry-on liquids, gels, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less each and fit in one quart size bag.
• Medications and infant nourishment are exempt, but tell the officer and expect them to be screened separately.
• Anything that alarms during screening gets extra checking, so pack it where you can reach it.

The rule in plain English

TSA calls it the 3-1-1 rule. In your carry-on you may bring:

1. 3.4 ounce (100 ml) containers or smaller. The limit applies to the container size, not to how full it is. A half full 8 ounce bottle does not qualify.
2. One quart size bag. All your small containers go in it together.
3. Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes. Think shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, hair gel and mascara.

What is exempt

TSA lists two groups that can be more than 3.4 ounces:

1. Medications. Medically necessary liquids, gels and creams are allowed in reasonable quantities for your trip.
2. Infant and child nourishment. Formula, breast milk and juice for a child are allowed. Ice packs or frozen gel packs needed to cool them are allowed too.

Take these out of your bag and show them at the checkpoint so they can be screened separately. They do not need to go in the quart bag.

Five packing moves that save time

1. Decant, do not buy travel sizes every trip. Reusable small bottles cost less and you pick the amount.
2. Use solids where you can. A bar of soap is not a liquid. Creams, gels and pastes still count, so check each product.
3. Put the quart bag on top. You will take it out at the checkpoint, so do not bury it under your clothes.
4. Keep medicine in its original labeled container. It makes any question at the checkpoint quick to answer.
5. Buy drinks after security. Bring an empty bottle through and fill it at a fountain on the other side.

If you check a bag

The 3.4 ounce limit is for carry-on bags. In a checked bag you can pack larger bottles. Seal them in a plastic bag in case a cap loosens. Liquids can still be restricted by airline or destination rules, so check yours before you go.

Quick example

Two people share one carry-on for a long weekend. They bring a reusable set of small bottles, a bar of soap, and one prescription cream in its original tube. The small bottles go in one quart bag at the top, and the cream is held out to show at the checkpoint. Nothing needs to be opened or thrown away.

Your checklist for this week

• ☐ Measure your usual bottles and mark anything over 3.4 ounces (100 ml).
• ☐ Move what you need into small reusable bottles.
• ☐ Put medicine in its original labeled container and keep it easy to reach.
• ☐ Keep the quart bag at the top of your carry-on.
• ☐ Check TSA's current rules for your date of travel.

For timing, see how early to get to the airport, and for faster lines, PreCheck versus Global Entry. Planning a short trip? Our one bag packing system covers the rest.

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Rules change, so check TSA and your airline for current guidance before you travel. See our disclosure policy for details.