Carry-On Liquids Rule Checker
Add your toiletries and see at a glance what’s over the 100 ml limit and whether it all fits the 1-litre bag — the standard hand-luggage rule (US TSA 3-1-1), with the 2026 CT-scanner exceptions explained.
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Each container ≤ 100 ml, all in one 1 L bag.
General guidance based on the standard 100 ml / 1 litre rule (US TSA 3-1-1 is the same in imperial). Rules vary by airport and change — always check your specific departure and return airports before flying.
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How much liquid can I take in hand luggage?
At most airports: containers of up to 100 ml (3.4 fl oz), all fitting in one transparent resealable bag of about 1 litre. It’s the container size that counts, not how full it is. Some airports with new CT scanners now allow up to 2 litres, but it’s inconsistent and your return airport may differ — so pack to 100 ml to be safe. Add your bottles above to see exactly what passes.
Methodology: The checker applies the standard hand-luggage rule used at most airports: each container no more than 100 ml, all containers together within a single ~1-litre resealable bag. The US TSA 3-1-1 rule is the same in imperial (3.4 fl oz; 1 quart bag), with conversions at 1 US fl oz = 29.5735 ml. Exemptions for medicines, baby food and sealed duty-free are noted. The 2-litre CT-scanner allowance is described where it applies as of 2026, but the tool defaults to 100 ml because the rollout is inconsistent and departure and return airports can differ. Always confirm current rules for your specific airports. How we test & calculate.
The rule, in one line
Liquids in your hand luggage have to be in containers of 100 ml or less, all fitting inside a single clear, resealable bag of about 1 litre. That’s it — and the catch most people trip on is that it’s the container’s size that matters, not how much is left in it. A nearly empty 150 ml bottle still fails. The checker above flags anything over the limit and keeps a running total so you can see whether the whole lot fits the bag before you’re standing at the tray.
“Liquid” is broader than it sounds
Security treats gels, creams, pastes, sprays and aerosols as liquids too, which catches a lot of toiletries: toothpaste, sun cream, deodorant, perfume, mascara, lip gloss and contact-lens solution all count, and so do soft foods like yoghurt, honey and soft cheese. The simplest way to dodge the limit is to switch to solid versions where you can — bar soap, solid shampoo and stick deodorant aren’t restricted at all. Anything bigger you don’t need in the cabin can go in your checked bag; the carry-on size checker helps you work out what stays with you.
When you can carry more
There are real exceptions. Essential medicines, baby food and milk, and special dietary liquids are allowed over 100 ml — just declare them for separate screening. And anything you buy airside or duty-free can exceed the limit as long as it stays sealed in its tamper-evident bag with the receipt, which is the bit to watch if you have a connecting flight where it’ll be screened again.
The 2026 scanner changes — helpful, but check both ends
Newer CT scanners are gradually lifting the 100 ml limit. As of 2026, several airports — Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham among them, with more following and parts of the EU catching up — allow up to 2 litres per container with no separate bag. It’s genuinely easier where it applies, but it’s an uneven rollout: plenty of airports still enforce 100 ml, and your departure and return airports can run different rules. Until it’s everywhere, packing to 100 ml is the only way to be certain you’ll clear security at both ends of the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 100ml liquids rule?
At most airports, liquids in hand luggage must be in containers holding no more than 100 ml each, and all of them together must fit inside one transparent, resealable bag of up to about 1 litre (roughly 20×20cm). It’s the size of the container that counts, not how full it is — a half-empty 200 ml bottle is still not allowed. The bag usually has to come out and be screened separately, except at airports with the newer CT scanners.
Can I bring more than 100ml of anything?
Yes, for a few exceptions. Essential medicines (with documentation), baby food and milk, and special dietary liquids are allowed in larger quantities — declare them at security for separate screening. Liquids bought airside or on board, including duty-free, can also exceed 100 ml as long as they stay sealed in the tamper-evident bag with the receipt, which matters if you have a connection. Everything else needs to meet the 100 ml limit or go in your checked bag.
What counts as a liquid?
More than you might think. As well as drinks, it covers gels, pastes, creams, lotions, sprays and aerosols — so toothpaste, sun cream, deodorant, mascara, lip gloss, hair gel, perfume and contact-lens solution all count, and so do soft foods like yoghurt, jam, honey and soft cheese. If you can pour, squeeze or spread it, treat it as a liquid. Solid versions (bar soap, solid shampoo, stick deodorant) aren’t restricted, which is a handy way around the limit.
Has the 100ml rule changed with the new scanners?
At some airports, yes. As of 2026, a number of airports with new CT (3D) scanners allow up to 2 litres per container and no separate bag — in the UK that includes Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham, with more rolling out, and parts of the EU are following. But it’s a patchwork: many airports still enforce 100 ml, and crucially your departure and return airports can have different rules. Until it’s universal, packing to the 100 ml limit is the only way to be sure at both ends.
What is the TSA 3-1-1 rule?
It’s the US version of the same rule, just in imperial units: containers up to 3.4 fl oz (which is 100 ml), 1 quart-size clear bag, 1 bag per passenger — hence “3-1-1”. If you pack to 100 ml you automatically meet it. The checker above lets you switch between ml and fluid ounces so the numbers match whichever you’re used to.
How many bottles can I take?
There’s no fixed number — the limits are the 100 ml per container and the 1-litre total bag. In theory that’s up to ten 100 ml bottles, but in practice a 20×20cm bag that has to seal holds fewer, so six to nine is realistic. The checker adds up your containers and tells you when you’ve crossed either limit, so you can see exactly what fits before you get to security.