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Carry-On Liquid Rules 2026: 100ml, TSA & UK Airports
Carry-on liquid rules in 2026: where the 100ml limit still applies, which UK airports now allow 2 litres, and how to pack to clear any checkpoint.
Published June 20, 2026 · AI-assisted editorial
In 2026 the carry-on liquid rule still caps most containers at 100ml (3.4 oz) packed in one clear bag — but it is no longer universal. Several UK airports now allow up to 2 litres thanks to new 3D scanners, while the United States, the EU, and most of the world hold the line. Here is exactly where each stands.
The baseline rule: 100ml in one clear bag
For nearly two decades the global standard has been the same: liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes in your hand luggage must travel in containers of 100ml (3.4 oz) or less, all fitting inside a single transparent, resealable bag of about one litre, with one bag per passenger. It is the container size that counts, not how full it is — a half-empty 200ml bottle is still not allowed.
"Liquid" is broader than most travelers expect. It includes toothpaste, sunscreen, gel or roll-on deodorant, yogurt, soft cheese, peanut butter, and the water you forgot to drink before the line. When in doubt, assume security will treat it as a liquid.
What is changing in 2026 is not the rule itself so much as where it still applies.
United States: TSA 3-1-1 is unchanged
In the US the rule is known as 3-1-1: 3.4 ounces per container, 1 quart-sized clear bag, 1 bag per passenger. As of 2026 it has not changed.
What has changed is the hardware. The TSA has been installing computed-tomography (CT) scanners that produce a 3D image of your bag, and by early 2026 most checkpoints at major hubs — Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare, and Dallas-Fort Worth among them — have them. At a CT-equipped lane you often do not need to pull your liquids bag or laptop out of your carry-on, and the line moves faster. But the 3.4 oz / quart-bag limit on what you can bring is identical to before.
A handful of items are exempt from the bag in reasonable quantities, subject to separate screening: baby formula and breast milk, and liquid medications. Declare them to the officer rather than burying them in your bag.
United Kingdom: a split system in 2026
The UK is the big exception this year, and it is genuinely inconsistent — which airport you fly from decides your rule.
Airports that have passed government certification of their new CT scanners now let passengers carry containers up to 2 litres with no need for a separate plastic bag. As of mid-2026 that includes major hubs such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Birmingham. At these airports you also keep electronics in your bag.
Other UK airports still enforce the old 100ml limit despite having scanners — among them Manchester, Luton, London City, and Stansted. The rollout has not finished, and rules can change again at short notice.
Two cautions regardless of airport: the relaxed limit applies to your departure airport only, so a return flight from another country may still be 100ml; and insulated vacuum flasks must be emptied, because the scanners cannot see through the double wall.
The EU and the rest of the world
Across the European Union, the standard remains 100ml in a one-litre transparent bag at most airports. A few EU airports with certified CT scanners have eased the limit, but coverage is patchy and the EU has tightened rules again in the past, so do not assume. Most of the rest of the world — Asia, the Americas outside the US system, Africa, and Oceania — applies the same 100ml standard.
The safe planning rule for any international trip: pack to 100ml. A bag that passes the strictest checkpoint passes every checkpoint, and you avoid surrendering an expensive bottle of sunscreen at the worst possible moment.
| Region | Container limit (2026) | Separate clear bag? |
|---|---|---|
| United States (TSA) | 100ml / 3.4 oz | Yes, one quart bag |
| UK — certified-scanner airports | Up to 2 litres | No |
| UK — other airports | 100ml | Yes |
| European Union (most airports) | 100ml | Yes |
| Rest of world (general) | 100ml | Yes |
How to pack so security is fast
A few habits keep you out of the secondary-screening line:
- Decant toiletries into 100ml travel bottles, even if your home airport allows more — your destination may not.
- Keep the clear bag at the top of your carry-on so it is easy to pull out if asked.
- Buy liquids over 100ml after security, in the departures shops, and keep the sealed receipt if you have an onward connection.
- Empty your water bottle before the checkpoint and refill it at a fountain past security.
- Treat medications and baby supplies as exempt, but declare them.
Where this leaves you on arrival
Security is the front end of a long travel day; the back end is getting from the terminal to where you are staying. The two are worth planning together — clearing a fast checkpoint only to face a chaotic taxi rank is a poor trade.
Decide your ground transport before you fly: a pre-booked private transfer with a meet and greet means a named driver is waiting when you land, no haggling after a red-eye. If you want the smoothest possible landing, our VIP arrival service handles the airport-to-door leg end to end. And the pre-trip checklist covers the rest — documents, timing, and how early to be at the airport — so nothing about the liquids bag is the thing that slows you down.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 100ml liquid rule still in force in 2026? Yes, at most airports worldwide, including the US under TSA 3-1-1 and most of the EU. Some UK airports with new CT scanners now allow up to 2 litres, but 100ml remains the safe default.
Which UK airports allow more than 100ml of liquid? As of mid-2026, certified-scanner airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Birmingham allow up to 2 litres. Manchester, Luton, London City, and Stansted still enforce 100ml.
Has the TSA 3-1-1 rule changed? No. The US limit is still 3.4 ounces per container, one quart-sized clear bag, one per passenger. CT scanners speed up screening but do not change the limit.
Do I still need a clear plastic bag for liquids? At most airports yes. At UK and some EU airports with certified CT scanners you do not, but carry one anyway so you are covered everywhere.
Can I bring medication or baby formula over 100ml? Yes. Liquid medications, baby formula, and breast milk are exempt in reasonable quantities; declare them at the checkpoint for separate screening.
What counts as a liquid at airport security? Anything pourable or spreadable: toothpaste, sunscreen, gel deodorant, yogurt, soft cheese, and drinks. When unsure, treat it as a liquid and keep it under 100ml.