You can bring liquids in containers of up to 3.4 fluid ounces (100 milliliters) each in your carry-on luggage. All these containers must fit comfortably within a single, transparent, resealable quart-sized (approximately 1 liter) plastic bag. Only one such bag is allowed per passenger
. This is commonly known as the "3-1-1 rule":
- 3.4 ounces (100 ml) per container
- 1 quart-sized clear bag
- 1 bag per passenger
In total, this means you can carry about 25 to 27 fluid ounces of liquids in your carry-on, spread across multiple containers, as long as they fit in the bag and each container is no larger than 3.4 ounces
. There are exceptions for certain items:
- Liquids purchased at duty-free shops or on the plane can exceed this limit if sealed in a security bag with a receipt
- Essential medications, baby formula, breast milk, and baby food may be carried in larger quantities with appropriate documentation or justification
Some airports, particularly in the UK, have started to implement new 3D scanning technology that may allow you to keep liquids in your bag without removing them, but the 100 ml container size limit still applies for now
. In summary:
- Maximum container size: 3.4 fl oz (100 ml)
- Total liquids: must fit in one quart-sized bag (about 1 liter)
- Exceptions apply for duty-free, medications, and baby items
- New scanning tech may ease some rules but limits remain in place as of 2025
