TSA liquids rules for toiletries (2026 guide)

The TSA 3-1-1 rule has been unchanged since 2006, yet it remains one of the most common reasons travelers lose items at the checkpoint. Here is exactly what the rule requires, what it exempts, and how to pack so nothing gets confiscated.

What the 3-1-1 rule actually says

Three numbers define the rule: 3.4 oz per container, 1 quart-sized clear zip bag, 1 bag per passenger. It applies to liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes in your carry-on. If it can be poured, sprayed, spread, pumped, or spilled, TSA classifies it as a liquid.

That classification is broader than most people expect. Toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, deodorant (gel or spray), mascara, lip gloss, and hair spray all count. So does peanut butter, hummus, honey, and most condiments. A 12 oz jar of peanut butter is treated as a liquid and will be confiscated at the checkpoint if it exceeds 3.4 oz.

The quart bag holds roughly 7 to 8 standard 3 oz travel bottles before it stops closing cleanly. If your full toiletry lineup exceeds that, something has to be decanted into a smaller bottle, purchased at your destination, or checked.

What is exempt from the 3.4 oz limit

Several categories travel outside the quart bag with no size restriction:

Medications. Both prescription and over-the-counter liquid medications are exempt. Declare them separately to a TSA officer at the checkpoint. Keeping them in original or labeled packaging speeds up screening. You do not need a prescription card or doctor's note, but labeling helps.

Baby and toddler items. Liquid formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food pouches are fully exempt. A child does not need to be present for breast milk to qualify. Ice packs and gel packs used to keep formula or breast milk cold are also allowed through.

Solid-format toiletries. These are not subject to the rule at all. Shampoo bars, conditioner bars, stick deodorant, stick sunscreen, lipstick, and powder makeup have no carry-on size limit. They take up zero quart-bag space and are worth switching to if you travel frequently.

Solid-format toiletries bypass the 3-1-1 rule entirely. A shampoo bar, stick sunscreen, and stick deodorant leave your quart bag free for everything that has to be liquid.

How to pack your quart bag without losing anything

CT scanners: a process change, not a rule change

As of May 2026, 255 U.S. airports have deployed CT (computed tomography) scanners. At these checkpoints, you may be able to leave liquids and electronics inside your bag during screening rather than removing them for a separate bin. This is a checkpoint-process improvement, not a change to the 3.4 oz or quart-bag rules. The limit still applies regardless of the scanner type.

If you travel through a major hub regularly, check whether your home airport has CT scanners. The TSA website maintains a list, though checkpoint operations can vary by terminal and lane even within the same airport.

Common mistakes that lead to confiscation

The checkpoint is not a negotiation. Oversized liquids are confiscated on the spot. TSA officers cannot hold items for later retrieval. The only safe moves are to transfer to a compliant travel bottle before you leave home, buy at your destination, or check the bag.

The mistakes that come up most often:

• Bringing a full-size sunscreen or lotion and assuming "it is mostly empty" will be good enough
• Packing peanut butter, nut butter, hummus, or jam as a snack without accounting for the liquid classification
• Forgetting to remove the quart bag from a carry-on before the X-ray conveyor at airports that do not have CT scanners
• Using a sandwich bag instead of a proper quart-sized bag, which causes screening slowdowns even if the contents are compliant
• Putting medications inside the quart bag instead of declaring them separately, which can slow down secondary screening

Choosing the right bag for the checkpoint

A well-organized toiletry bag like the BAGSMART Hanging Toiletry Bag makes the quart-bag step faster, not slower. Your quart zip bag should be easy to access without unpacking your whole carry-on. For a broader look at what works for different trip lengths and bag setups, see our guide to the best toiletry bags.

For more on packing light and choosing gear that moves through security without friction, browse our travel gear guides or read how we research and rate products.