As you’re packing for your trip, you start with the essentials. You come across your toothpaste and wonder: can I bring toothpaste on a plane? How much toothpaste can I bring? Is prescription toothpaste allowed?
You can bring toothpaste on a plane. It is considered a liquid, so you can bring up to 3.4 ounces or 100 mL in your carry-on bag. Prescription toothpaste is allowed in larger quantities than 100 mL but it may be subject to additional screening. Let the TSA agent know how much prescription toothpaste you are bringing.
Most toothpaste weighs between four to eight ounces, so you won’t be able to bring it on a plane. Look for travel-size toothpaste like this Crest toothpaste from Amazon.
The 3-1-1 liquids rule can be misleading because not all the items that follow this rule are technically liquids. It also applies to gels, aerosols, creams, and anything in between. @AskTSA clears up any confusion in this response to a Twitter user.
“An item that you can pump, squeeze, spread, smear, spray, or spill must follow our liquids rule in carry-on bags.” There you have it!
Popular items that fit this rule include toothpaste, mouthwash, shaving cream, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. You can take one quart-size bag with these items in it on a plane.
Can you bring prescription toothpaste on a plane?
Yes, prescription toothpaste is allowed on a plane. It’s an exception to the TSA’s 3:1:1 liquids rule, so you can bring more than 3.4 ounces or 100 mL. Pack it in a separate bag for easy screening and let the TSA agent know as you go through the security checkpoint.
Typically, the TSA will understand if you say that your toothpaste is medically necessary. But to be safe, bring your prescription or a note from your doctor or dentist.
How do you pack toothpaste for travel?
Make sure that all your toothpaste tubes weigh 3.4 ounces or less. Put them in a quart-size bag. You won’t be able to bring more toothpaste than whatever will fit in the quart-size bag.
Most people won’t have travel toothpaste lying around. You might have six or eight-ounce tubes. But those won’t make it through airport security. Here’s a cool way you can transfer toothpaste from a larger tube to your travel-size tube.
Is toothpaste considered a liquid?
Yes, toothpaste is considered a liquid. The 3-1-1 rule applies so you can bring up to 3.4 ounces or 100 mL of toothpaste on a plane. It must be packed in a quart-size bag or smaller.
Maximum Liquid Carry-On Size on an Airplane
The max amount of liquid you can bring is, well, whatever you can fit into a quart-size bag. The catch is that each liquid must be in 3.4-ounce containers or smaller.
How many 3.4 oz containers can you bring on a plane?
You can bring between six and eight 3.4 ounce containers on a plane. Six to eight containers are approximately how many you can fit into one quart-size bag.
How much liquid can you take on a plane in checked baggage?
Most liquids only have restrictions as carry-on baggage. But you should double check on the TSA’s website to make sure there are no regulations. Certain toiletries, like spray deodorant, have limits established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Read more about traveling with spray deodorant in this article.
Can I bring toothpaste tablets on a plane?
Yes. Toothpaste tablets are considered solid according to the TSA. So you can bring them in your carry-on with no restrictions.
What is the 3-1-1 liquids rule?
The 3-1-1 liquids rule is a rule implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that regulates how much liquid you can bring on a plane. This rule states that you can bring up to 3.4 ounces or 100 mL of liquid on a plane. All of your liquids must be in separate containers of 3.4 ounces or less. And they must fit in one quart-size bag. 3.4 ounces, 100 mL, one quart-size bag. Hence, 3-1-1.
Why is toothpaste not allowed on airplanes?
Toothpaste is in fact allowed on airplanes in limited quantities. It follows the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule, so you can bring up to 3.4 ounces or 100 mL on a plane.
Can I bring 3.5 oz toothpaste on a plane?
No, the max amount of toothpaste you can bring on a plane is 3.4 ounces. Whether or not the TSA agent would stop you over 0.1 ounces is unclear. But it’s best to play it safe so you can enjoy a smooth experience through airport security.
Does the TSA really check liquids?
Yes, do not try and get around the 3-1-1 liquids rule. It will just create more trouble for you as you’ll have to throw out any containers larger than 3.4 ounces. To make screening quick and easy, put your liquids in a separate bin.
Does toothpaste need to be in a plastic bag at the airport?
Yes, place your toothpaste in a clear plastic bag and then in a separate bin for airport screening. You can only bring one quart-size bag of liquids on a plane, so put all your other toiletries in that bag as well. If you want to travel with more toiletries, pack them in your checked luggage.
That’s it for our article on bringing toothpaste on a plane. Hopefully you found the answer you need. As you pack for your trip, be sure that all your items are TSA-approved. Check out the articles below to help you out.
Related Articles
Can I bring deodorant on a plane?