Carry-On Luggage Rules: Everything You Can (and Can't) Bring with You on a Plane

Prepping for a trip is a lot easier when you know what you can and can't put in your carry-on luggage. To help you avoid unpleasant surprises at the TSA checkpoint, we've broken down the rules into three lists: stuff you can carry on board, stuff you have to check, and stuff you can't carry on or check, so don't even bother traveling with it. Keep these guidelines in mind while you pack—and whenever you're choosing new luggage pieces—so you know how much you need to fit where.

What You Can Bring on a Plane in Your Carry-On

Small tools

Certain small tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, are permitted, as long as they're seven inches or less in length. You can also carry on nail clippers, pill cutters, bottle openers, and small scissors with blades measuring four inches or less from the pivot point. All other tools should be securely wrapped (if sharp) and packed in checked baggage.

Nonflammable liquids, gels, and aerosols—including food, drinks, and toiletries—in quantities of 3.4 ounces or less

Nearly all liquids (like beverages, contact lens solution, shampoo, makeup products, liquid medicine, nail polish, perfume/cologne, and face toner); gels (like hair gel, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and face serum); and aerosols (products dispensed in a pressurized spray can or bottle, like hairspray, dry shampoo, and spray-on deodorant)—are allowed in your carry-on luggage. However, they must be in a 3.4-ounce or smaller container and fit together in one quart-size clear zip-top plastic bag. That's known as the 3-1-1 rule, and it also applies to food like peanut butter and creamy cheese, as well as alcohol (yes, mini bottles of booze are allowed as long as the alcohol content is less than 70%). So if you have a six-ounce tub of lotion and you've already used more than half of it, you're still not allowed to bring it through TSA security and onto the plane. However, exceptions to these rules can include medically necessary liquids, such as insulin and baby formula.

Matches and lighters

Passengers may carry on common lighters and one book of safety matches—however, strike-anywhere matches (those that can be lit by striking against any rough, dry surface) are prohibited in both checked and carry-on luggage. No matches, including safety matches, are permitted in checked baggage.

Batteries

You can pack dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D) in either carry-on or checked bags. Lithium batteries with 100 watt hours or less may be carried on the plane or checked, as long as they're in a device. Loose lithium batteries may only be carried on and cannot be checked.

Knitting needles

Materials for knitting and needlepoint are allowed in carry-on bags and checked luggage. Make sure any knitting needles are wrapped or otherwise protected to prevent injuring luggage handlers and inspectors.

Gifts

Wrapped presents can be carried on board, provided the contents meet safety and security regulations. But since security screeners may unwrap gifts for inspection, it's advisable to leave presents unwrapped until you reach your destination.

Electronics

Portable electronic items are typically allowed on board. Those that are smaller than a standard-size laptop, such as cellphones and tablet devices, do not have to be removed from baggage during screening. Larger electronics, including laptops, full-size video-game consoles, and full-size DVD players, must be removed from their cases, placed in a separate bin, and screened individually at security checkpoints.

Medication and medical equipment

All prescription and over-the-counter medications can be carried on board in unspecified quantities. Other medical necessities, including but not limited to inhalers, EpiPens, canes, casts, blood sugar test kits, crutches, liquid nutrition for passengers with a disability, and items used for medical or cosmetic reasons, such as mastectomy products, can also be packed in carry-on luggage. These items must be declared to screeners before going through security and are subject to additional screening.

Baby food, equipment, and needs

Baby formula, breast milk, juice, gel- or liquid-filled teethers, and canned, jarred, or processed baby food are permitted on board the airplane if a baby or a small child is traveling. These items do not need to meet the 3-1-1 rule like other liquids and gels do, but must be removed from your carry-on luggage, declared to screeners before going through security, and are subject to additional screening. In addition to food and formulas, baby wipes, child car seats, breast pumps, and baby carriers can be taken through security and onto the plane.

Expensive items

Though not an official requirement, jewelry, currency, and other valuable items should always be carried with you, provided they meet security regulations. It's a good idea to stash them in a separate compartment to keep them organized in travel bags or carry-ons.

E-liquids, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices

As long as the amount of e-liquid you're carrying onboard is less than 3.4 ounces, it is allowed through security—quantities larger than 3.4 ounces must be checked. However, battery-powered e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems can only be taken on board the aircraft in your carry-on or on your person. The FAA prohibits all these devices in checked bags.

Disposable and electric razors

Both disposable and electric razors are allowed in either carry-on or checked luggage. Safety and straight razors must be checked.

Wedding dress

You can carry a wedding dress through security and onto your flight, but take precautions first. Pack the dress carefully and thoroughly in a protected garment bag. Contact your airline to ask about their policy for stowing the garment safely in the cabin and whether it counts as your carry-on item (you may be charged extra). In addition, you should arrive early to the airport to ensure you get through security and to the gate early enough to talk with an airline agent about stowing the dress onboard.

Small pets

Small pets are allowed to travel with passengers through security checkpoints, but it's your responsibility to contact the airline for their specific policy. Pets need to be taken out of their carrier (which will also need to go through security) and screened by security.

Restricted Items NOT Allowed on a Plane in Your Carry-On

Sharp objects

Sharp objects include a wide array of items, such as box cutters, ice axes and picks, knives (including pocket knives, but excluding plastic or round-bladed butter knives), meat cleavers, razor-type blades, and scissors that exceed four inches (smaller scissors can be carried on). Note that any sharp objects in your checked bags should be covered or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.

Sporting goods and athletic equipment

With the exception of balls, many pieces of sporting equipment, such as baseball bats, golf clubs, ski poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, martial arts weapons, hiking poles, and tent spikes/poles, are prohibited from carry-on luggage and must be transported in checked baggage. However, some exceptions include tennis rackets, fishing poles, snow shoes, and longboards. Bicycles are sometimes allowed on flights, but it varies by airline—check with your airline for details.

Self-defense items

Self-defense sprays (like mace or pepper spray) and other items, such as billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles, kubotans, and other martial-arts weapons, are not permitted past security.

Gel-type candles

While solid wax candles are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage, gel-like candles can only be transported via checked bags.

Large quantities of alcohol (more than 3.4 ounces)

You can check up to five liters of adult beverages (as long as they contain less than 70% alcohol) in unopened retail packaging.

Guns and ammunition

Well-packaged ammunition and well-packaged, unloaded firearms, BB guns, compressed-air guns (e.g., paintball markers), pellet guns, starter pistols, and replicas can be put in your checked luggage but must be declared at check-in. Per TSA regulations on guns: "Firearms carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared to the airline at check-in." And on ammunition: "Small arms ammunitions must be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask the airline about limitations or fees." When in doubt, ask your airline about specific rules and regulations for checking firearms.

Items You're Not Allowed to Check OR Carry-On, So Leave Them at Home

Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof

Any beverage with over 70% alcohol content, such as grain alcohol and 151 proof rum, cannot be checked or taken onto the plan in your carry-on bag.

Flammable items

Aerosol cans (except limited quantities of personal care items that are 3.4 ounces or less), butane, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, flammable paints, turpentine, paint thinner, arc lighters, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, E-lighters, and replicas of incendiaries cannot be transported in any way on passenger airlines.

Explosive materials

Passengers cannot bring items such as fireworks, flares, hand grenades, blasting caps, dynamite, and replicas of explosive materials onboard aircrafts.

Chemicals

Chlorine, bleach, spillable batteries, spray paint, fertilizers, tear gas, and fire extinguishers are considered dangerous and are not permitted on commercial passenger aircrafts.

Outdoor and wildlife safety products

Items such as bear bangers (intended to scare away bears without harming them) and bear spray are not allowed on commercial aircraft.

Penalties for Not Complying

The agency will impose fines of up to several thousand dollars for attempting to carry on certain weapons or other dangerous materials. In other instances, you'll have to hand over the item or leave the security line to check it or, in the case of liquids, dump some of it out. (And then go back through security, which is a drag!) Some items may require additional screening. Ultimately, the TSA agent can make the final call on what's allowed through security.