New TSA Carry-On Rules for 2026: What You Can Bring

Updated July 2026 · Checked against TSA.gov · By the Passport Pro Travel team, trusted by 100,000+ senior travelers · About us

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Carry-on rules are the part of flying that changes just often enough to keep you guessing. Every year a new headline says TSA “cracked down” on something, and every year travelers show up unsure whether their bag is legal.

Most people believe TSA decides how big your carry-on can be and what it weighs. That belief is exactly what gets bags gate-checked and wallets $50 lighter. The truth splits the job in two, and once you see the split, the whole checkpoint gets simpler.

We checked every rule below against TSA.gov and the FAA in July 2026, so this is the current policy — not last year’s memory of it. Keep this line in your head all the way to the gate: TSA screens what’s inside the bag; your airline sizes the bag.

Here’s what we’ll cover: who really controls carry-on size, the 3-1-1 liquids rule in 2026, the battery rule that trips up half of all fliers, the powder rule almost nobody knows, the items TSA still confiscates most, and the new REAL ID requirement.

1. Carry-On Size and Weight: The Airline’s Call, Not TSA’s

Here’s where most travelers slip up. TSA sets no size or weight limit on your carry-on bag. TSA’s own FAQ says it plainly: “Size dimensions of carry-on baggage allowed in the cabin of the aircraft vary by airline. Contact your airline.” TSA’s job is what’s inside the bag. The bag’s dimensions are the airline’s rule, enforced at the gate.

Most major U.S. airlines cap the carry-on at roughly 22 x 14 x 9 inches (that includes wheels and handles), plus one personal item that fits under the seat. But the number moves by carrier — and the budget airlines are the strict ones. Always confirm with your airline before you fly, because the gate agent, not the TSA officer, is the one who measures.

What it covers	TSA controls	Your airline controls
Carry-on size & weight	No	Yes
What items are allowed (liquids, batteries, sharps)	Yes	No
Number of carry-on bags	No	Yes
Personal-item size	No	Yes
Security screening & prohibited items	Yes	No

Remember the line: TSA screens what’s inside the bag; your airline sizes the bag. Get that one split right and you’ll never be surprised at the gate again.

Two agencies split one suitcase between them, and only one of them shows up at the gate with a tape measure. Guess which rule is the one that costs you $50.

2. The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule (Still the Law in 2026)

Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes still follow the 3-1-1 rule. Per TSA.gov: each container holds 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less, they all fit in one quart-size clear zip bag, and that’s one bag per passenger. Bigger containers go in your checked bag, even if they’re only half full — TSA goes by the container size printed on the bottle, not the amount inside.

The big exception is medical: medically necessary liquids and medications are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit. You can bring larger amounts — just declare them to the officer and keep them separate from your quart bag. That covers prescription liquids, saline, and the freezer packs that keep them cold.

3. Batteries and Power Banks: They Must Ride in the Cabin

This one sends bags back off the plane, so it matters. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must go in your carry-on, never in a checked bag. TSA and the FAA are clear: “Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags,” and spare lithium batteries are “prohibited in checked luggage.”

The reason is fire safety — a battery that overheats in the cabin can be dealt with, but one in the cargo hold cannot. So your phone charger brick, your laptop’s loose spare battery, and any power bank ride with you in the seat. Devices with the battery installed (your phone, laptop, camera) are fine in either bag, but carry-on is still safest.

4. The Powder Rule Almost Nobody Knows

Here’s a quiet one that catches travelers off guard at the checkpoint. Powder-like substances of 12 ounces (350 mL) or more may need extra screening, and the officer can ask you to open the container. Think protein powder, ground coffee, powdered supplements, even bulk spices or a large bag of powdered creamer.

You can still bring them — nothing here is banned — but a large tub of powder can slow your lane down. If you’re carrying more than about 12 ounces, put it in a spot you can reach, or move it to your checked bag to keep your line moving.

5. Top Carry-On Items TSA Still Confiscates

Most confiscations aren’t exotic — they’re everyday items in the wrong bag. Here’s how this usually goes: the bag gets pulled, the officer holds up the item, and you’re choosing between the trash can and missing boarding. The usual suspects:

• Oversized liquids — the sunscreen, the full-size shampoo, the “it’s almost empty” bottle. Over 3.4 oz, it’s gone.
• Sharp objects — pocket knives, scissors over 4 inches, razor blades (a razor with the blade enclosed is fine).
• That water bottle you forgot to empty — empty is fine, full gets flagged. Empty it before the line, fill it after.
• Snow globes and gels — a snow globe bigger than a tennis ball is over the liquid limit.
• Certain tools — anything over 7 inches, like a wrench or pliers.

None of it is sinister — it’s just that your half-used sunscreen has finally met a bureaucracy that outranks it. A two-minute check the night before spares you the goodbye.

6. New for 2026: You Now Need a REAL ID to Fly

This isn’t a carry-on rule, but it’s the one that will actually stop you at the checkpoint, so it belongs here. As of May 7, 2025, every adult flying within the U.S. needs a REAL ID-compliant license or another accepted ID (like a valid passport). A standard license without the star in the corner is no longer enough on its own.

Check the top corner of your driver’s license for a star. No star means you’ll want to sort this out before your next flight — a passport also works as a backup. We break down every accepted ID and how to upgrade in our REAL ID guide. If you’re 75 or older, the screening itself is gentler too — see our guide to TSA rules for seniors over 75.

Your Pre-Airport Carry-On Checklist

1. Confirm your airline’s carry-on size — not TSA’s, the airline’s. Budget carriers are strictest.
2. Pack liquids in one quart bag, 3.4 oz each. Medications separate and declared.
3. Power banks and spare batteries in the carry-on — never checked.
4. Large powders (12 oz+) where you can reach them, or check them.
5. Star on your license? If not, bring your passport — REAL ID is required now.

Run that list and the checkpoint becomes routine. And while you’re planning the trip, it’s worth checking the airline senior discounts you may be owed on the fare itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new TSA carry-on rules for 2026?

The core 2026 rules: liquids follow the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 oz containers, one quart bag), power banks and spare batteries must be in your carry-on rather than checked, and powders over 12 ounces may get extra screening. TSA sets what you can bring; your airline sets the bag’s size and weight. A REAL ID is now required to fly.

What size carry-on does TSA allow?

TSA does not set a carry-on size limit — the airline does. Per TSA.gov, carry-on dimensions vary by airline, so you contact your carrier. Most major U.S. airlines cap it around 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, but budget airlines are stricter, so always confirm before you fly.

Can I bring a power bank in my carry-on?

Yes — and you must. TSA and the FAA require power banks and spare lithium batteries to travel in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage, for fire safety. Keep them with you in the cabin. Devices with the battery installed, like a phone or laptop, can go in either bag.

How many liquids can I bring in a carry-on?

Under the 3-1-1 rule, each liquid container must be 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less, all fitting in one quart-size clear bag, one bag per passenger. Medically necessary liquids and medications are exempt from the size limit — bring larger amounts, but declare them to the officer.

Do I need a REAL ID for domestic flights in 2026?

Yes. Since May 7, 2025, adults flying within the U.S. need a REAL ID-compliant license (marked with a star) or another accepted ID such as a valid passport. A standard license without the star is no longer accepted on its own at the checkpoint.

Keep planning your trip: TSA liquid rules explained · TSA rules for seniors over 75 · 12 essential packing tips · Free senior travel guides · watch more at Passport Pro on YouTube.