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
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.