Carry‑On Liquids: The TSA 3‑1‑1 Rule Explained
TSA's 3-1-1 Liquids Rule (YouTube link)
Carry-on liquids follow the 3-1-1 rule:
- Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less per container.
- This includes toothpaste, shampoo, and similar personal-care items.
- Drinks and food liquids such as water, soda, and salsa must also follow the rule.
- Peanut butter counts as a liquid because it is spreadable and must follow the same limit.
- All allowed liquids must fit in one clear, plastic, quart-size zip-top bag.
- Only one such bag is allowed per passenger.
- That is what 3-1-1 means: 3.4 oz containers, 1 quart bag, 1 bag per person.
- The limit is based on the size printed on the bottle, not how much liquid is left inside.
- A larger bottle that looks only partly full cannot go through the checkpoint.
- Oversized containers must go in checked baggage.
- For questions, contact @AskTSA on Facebook or X (Twitter).