Is It a Liquid? TSA Rules for 90+ Products: Toothpaste, Mascara, Lotion & More (2026)
At TSA, anything you can pour, spray, squeeze, spread or smear counts as a liquid. TSA’s own wording is “liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes”, so toothpaste, mascara, lotion, cream, gel deodorant, perfume and peanut butter are all liquids. Solid sticks, bars, powders and lipstick are not. In a carry-on, every liquid has to be in a container of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, inside one quart-size bag.
The table below covers 93 products from TSA’s own “What can I bring” list. Type a product to get the answer for a carry-on and a checked bag.
93
products in the table, all from TSA’s own list
56
count as a liquid, gel, aerosol or paste
3.4 oz
carry-on limit per container (100 ml)
70 oz
FAA cap on toiletries in a checked bag (2 L)
🔍 Is it a liquid? The full list
The first column is the call TSA makes about the product. The next two are TSA’s answer for a carry-on and a checked bag on a flight from a US airport. The grey line under a product is the detail that trips people up.
| Product | Is it a liquid? | Carry-on bag | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouth, skin & body | |||
| ToothpasteA paste, so it counts. A full-size tube is over the limit even when it is nearly empty; travel tubes are fine. Over 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Cream (face, hand, body)TSA lists "cream" as a liquid, so every jar and tube counts, serums and eye creams included. Over 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| LotionOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| SunscreenFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Liquid soap & body washOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Bar soap | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Eye dropsOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Bug repellentSpray repellents are aerosols. FAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Hand sanitizerTSA limits sanitizer to 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container in a carry-on. FAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Wet wipesWipes are not a liquid at TSA. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Baby wipes | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Disinfecting wipes | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Tampons | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Toothbrush | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Lip balm (chapstick)A solid stick, so it is not a liquid. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Makeup | |||
| MascaraThe tube is a liquid, but most are far under 100 ml. It still goes in the quart bag. Over 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Foundation (liquid or cream)Over 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| ConcealerOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Eyeliner, liquidOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Makeup removerFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Lipstick (solid bullet)Solid lipstick is not a liquid. Liquid lipstick and gloss are not on TSA's list, so treat them as a liquid. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Powder makeupPowders over 12 oz (350 ml) go in a separate bin and may need extra screening. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Solid makeupPowders over 12 oz (350 ml) go in a separate bin and may need extra screening. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Nail polishFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Nail polish removerFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Tattoo inkOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Hair | |||
| ShampooOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| ConditionerOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Hair gelOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| HairsprayFAA limits toiletries and aerosols in checked bags (see the checked-bag section). | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Dry shampoo (aerosol)FAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Hair texturizer (aerosol)FAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Hair dryer | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Deodorant & fragrance | |||
| Deodorant, solid stickThe stick is not a liquid. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Deodorant, liquid, gel or roll-onFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Deodorant, aerosol sprayFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| PerfumeFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| CologneFAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Shaving cream (aerosol)FAA cap in checked bags: 18 oz (500 ml) per container, 70 oz (2 L) in total per person. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Disposable razor | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Medical & baby | |||
| Liquid medicationMedically necessary liquids can exceed 3.4 oz if you declare them at the checkpoint. | 🔶 Medical exception | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, or declare larger medical amounts | Yes |
| Medically necessary liquid medicationMedically necessary liquids can exceed 3.4 oz if you declare them at the checkpoint. | 🔶 Medical exception | 🔶 Larger medical amounts allowed, declare them | Yes |
| Liquid vitaminsOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Contact lens solutionTSA warns that some solutions alarm on screening and suggests packing anything over 3.4 oz in the checked bag. | 🔶 Medical exception | Yes, declare it if over 3.4 oz | Yes |
| Contact lenses | 🔶 Medical exception | Yes, declare it if over 3.4 oz | Yes |
| Baby formulaExempt from the 100 ml rule. Tell the officer at the start of screening. | 🔶 Baby exemption | Yes, over 3.4 oz allowed, declare it | Yes |
| Breast milkExempt from the 100 ml rule. Tell the officer at the start of screening. | 🔶 Baby exemption | Yes, over 3.4 oz allowed, declare it | Yes |
| Juice for babiesExempt from the 100 ml rule. Tell the officer at the start of screening. | 🔶 Baby exemption | Yes, over 3.4 oz allowed, declare it | Yes |
| Baby powderPowders over 12 oz (350 ml) go in a separate bin and may need extra screening. | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Gel ice packsA melted or slushy pack is treated as a liquid. | 🔶 Special rule | 🔶 Yes, if frozen solid | Yes |
| Freezer packsA melted or slushy pack is treated as a liquid. | 🔶 Special rule | 🔶 Yes, if frozen solid | Yes |
| Food & drink that counts as a liquid | |||
| Bottled waterEmpty it before security and refill after. Over 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| SodaOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| JuiceOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Coffee, liquidOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Alcohol (wine, spirits, beer)Mini bottles must fit the quart bag. In checked bags, 24% to 70% alcohol is limited to 5 L in unopened retail packaging, and 24% or less has no limit. See the alcohol guide. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Wine bottleA full bottle goes in the checked bag. Alcohol over 70% is banned in both bags. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| SoupOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Peanut butterOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Jam & jellyOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| HoneyOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Maple syrupOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| HummusOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Creamy dips & spreadsOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Cheese, creamyOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| YogurtOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Ice creamOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Salsa & saucesOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Salad dressingOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| GravyOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Oils & vinegarsOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Chocolate, liquidOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Wet pet foodOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Chocolate, solid | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Candy | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Bread | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Snacks | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Solid food | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Tea, dry (bags or loose) | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Spices, dry | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Cleaning, hobby & odd ones | |||
| Liquid detergentOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Powder or pod detergent | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| E-liquid (vape juice)See the vape rules for the device itself. Over 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Glow sticksOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Snow globesOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Gel-filled toysOver 3.4 oz: checked bag. | 🚫 Yes, a liquid | ⚠️ 3.4 oz (100 ml) max, in the quart bag | Yes |
| Gel candles | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No | Yes |
| Solid candles | No, not a liquid | Yes, no limit | Yes |
| Aerosol insecticide | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No | ⚠️ Yes, with limits |
| Cooking sprayFAA limits toiletries and aerosols in checked bags (see the checked-bag section). | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Spray starch | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Spray paint | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Pepper spray | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ No | ⚠️ One 4 fl oz (118 ml) can, with a safety cap |
That product is not on TSA’s list. If you can pour, spray, squeeze, spread or smear it, treat it as a liquid in a carry-on.
🚫
A liquid: 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less per container in your quart bag. Anything bigger goes in the checked bag.
Not a liquid: no size limit, no bag. Solid sticks, bars, powders and tablets.
🔶
Exemption: medically necessary liquids, baby formula, breast milk and baby food can exceed 3.4 oz. Declare them at the start of screening.
🧪 The test that settles every product
TSA does not decide by what a product is for. It decides by how the product behaves, and its rule names five forms: liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes.
Can you pour it, spray it, squeeze it, spread it or smear it? Then it is a liquid at the checkpoint. That is why toothpaste (a paste), mascara, lotion and face cream all count, and why a stick deodorant, a lipstick bullet and a bar of soap do not. For the rule itself, see the 100 ml liquids rule explained, and for the deodorant, mascara and toothpaste debate, is gel deodorant a liquid.
📏 The limit is the container, not what is left inside
TSA writes the limit per container: items in 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. A 5 oz tube of toothpaste with a little left in it is still a 5 oz tube. The easy fix is to put a small amount into a travel-size container you already own, or to buy a small one.
🧳 Your product is over 100 ml: what to do
1
Pack it in the checked bag. TSA’s instruction for anything in a container larger than 3.4 oz.
2
Decant a trip’s worth into a container of 3.4 oz or less and leave the big bottle at home.
3
Swap it for a solid version: stick deodorant, a shampoo bar, toothpaste tablets, pressed powder.
4
Buy it at your destination if it is cheap or easy to find.
5
Medical or baby item? Larger amounts are allowed if you declare them. See the liquid medication exemption and baby food and formula on a plane.
🧴 Checked bags: the toiletry cap
A checked bag has no 3.4 oz rule, but toiletries and aerosols have their own cap. TSA’s item pages for perfume, nail polish, deodorant, sunscreen and hand sanitizer quote the FAA limit: 2 kg or 2 L (70 oz) in total per person, and no single container above 0.5 kg or 500 ml (18 oz). A 16 oz bottle of lotion is fine. A 24 oz bottle of hairspray is not.
Alcohol, fuel and pressurised cans are different. Alcohol between 24% and 70% is limited to 5 L in unopened retail packaging in a checked bag, and TSA lists cooking spray and spray paint as not allowed in either bag. For spray cans, see aerosols on a plane.
🍯 Liquid-like food counts too
Peanut butter, jam, honey, hummus, yogurt, soup and creamy cheese are on the same list as toothpaste, and for the same reason: you can spread or pour them. Solid food, a sandwich, bread and dry snacks are not liquids. The full food breakdown, including frozen food and customs, is in the food you can take on a plane list.
🌍 Flying from outside the US
This table is TSA’s list, so it applies to screening at US airports. Many other countries use a similar 100 ml limit, but the details differ by country and some airports with newer scanners have changed them. Check the rules of your departure airport, and see how many ml you can take on a plane for the 100 ml rule in metric.
Before you fly — checklist
1
Pour, spray, squeeze, spread or smear: if yes, it is a liquid. Put it in the quart bag if the container is 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.
2
Read the size printed on the container. A half-empty big bottle is still a big bottle.
3
Anything bigger than 3.4 oz goes in the checked bag, within the 18 oz per container and 70 oz total toiletry cap.
4
Solid sticks, bars, powders, lipstick and tablets skip the quart bag.
5
Medical liquids, formula and baby food can go over 3.4 oz. Declare them first.
6
Empty bottles before security and refill after.
The final decision on any item rests with the TSA officer at the checkpoint, and rules at airports outside the US differ. Confirm current requirements with TSA before you travel. Updated 2026.
Know the product but not the size? Check any size in ounces or ml and see the size chart.
Packing it in a checked bag? See how much liquid you can put in a checked bag: what is allowed, limited or banned.