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Before you fly
Hand luggage rules: what you can and cannot take
A plain guide to what belongs in your cabin bag, what has to go in checked baggage, and the liquids, batteries and sharp objects that trip people up at security.
This is a general guide, not the final word. Security rules change and differ by country, airport and airline. Before you pack, confirm the current rules with the official source for your route and your airline. The links are at the bottom of the page.
Quick reference
Where each thing generally belongs. When in doubt, put it in checked baggage and check the official rules.
| Item | Cabin bag | Checked bag | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquids over 100 ml | No | Yes | In the cabin, liquids must be 100 ml or less. Buy larger bottles after security. |
| Power bank or spare lithium battery | Yes | No | Must travel in the cabin. Spare batteries are not allowed in the hold. |
| Laptop, phone, camera | Yes | Yes | Keep valuables and electronics with you in the cabin. |
| Medication | Yes | Yes | Keep it in the cabin, in its packaging, with a prescription for larger amounts. |
| Scissors and knives | Limited | Yes | Knives and larger scissors usually go in checked baggage; small scissors vary by country. |
| Razor blades | Limited | Yes | Loose and safety-razor blades usually go in the hold; cartridge razors are generally fine in the cabin. |
| Lighter | One, on you | No | Many authorities allow one ordinary lighter carried on your person. Torch and jet lighters usually are not allowed. |
| Tools and sports gear | No | Yes | Sharp or heavy tools, bats and poles go in checked baggage. |
Hand luggage versus checked baggage
The simple version: anything valuable, fragile, essential or with a lithium battery belongs in your cabin bag, where it stays with you. Anything sharp, flammable or heavy belongs in checked baggage, in the hold. So your laptop, camera, medication, passport and power bank come in the cabin, while your knives, larger scissors, tools and full-size toiletries go in the checked bag.
Size and weight limits for both bags are set by the airline, not by security, and they vary a lot. Check yours before you pack, or use our carry-on size checker to compare your bag against the major airlines.
Liquids: the 100 ml rule
In your cabin bag, liquids must be in containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less, all together in one small clear resealable bag of about a litre, one bag per passenger. In the US this is the TSA 3-1-1 rule; the EU and UK use a very similar one. It covers the obvious things and the less obvious: water, drinks, sunscreen, toothpaste, and anything spreadable or gel-like.
Medication and baby food are usually allowed in larger amounts, but declare them at security. If you need a full-size bottle of something, the easiest answer is to buy it after security or at your destination. Not sure whether something counts as a liquid? Our TSA liquids checker gives a quick answer for any item.
Power banks and spare batteries
This is a safety rule. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must travel in your cabin bag, never in checked baggage. Lithium batteries can overheat, and a fire is far more dangerous in the sealed hold than in the cabin where crew can reach it. So keep power banks, spare camera and laptop batteries and loose button cells with you.
Most airlines allow power banks up to 100 Wh without any approval, and from 101 to 160 Wh with prior approval from the airline. Above that they are usually not allowed. Protect the terminals so they cannot short against keys or coins, and check your airline for the exact limit and how many you may bring.
Sharp objects and tools
Knives, larger scissors, razor blades and sharp tools normally have to go in your checked baggage. Some authorities allow small scissors with short blades in the cabin, but plenty of airlines and countries do not, so the reliable move is to pack anything with a blade in your checked bag. Cartridge and disposable razors are generally fine in the cabin; the loose blades from a safety razor are not.
Lighters and matches
Many authorities let you carry one ordinary lighter on your person, not in your bag and not in checked baggage. Torch, jet and "blue flame" lighters, and lighter fuel, are usually not allowed at all. Matches, where permitted, are one book of safety matches on your person. These rules differ noticeably by country and airline, so check the official source before you rely on them.
Check the official rules
Because the rules change and vary by route, always confirm with the authority for where you are flying, and with your airline for bag size, weight and battery limits.
- TSA: What Can I Bring? (US)
- TSA: liquids (3-1-1) rule (US)
- GOV.UK: hand luggage restrictions (UK)
- European Commission: information for air travellers (EU)
- FAA PackSafe: batteries and hazardous items
- Your airline’s own baggage and dangerous-goods pages.
Frequently asked questions
In the cabin, liquids must be in containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less, together in one small clear resealable bag of about a litre, one bag per passenger. This is the TSA 3-1-1 rule in the US and a very similar rule across the EU and UK. Larger amounts of medication and baby food are usually allowed but must be declared. If you need a bigger bottle, buy it after security.
Yes, and it must go in your hand luggage. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked baggage for fire-safety reasons, so keep them in the cabin with you. Most airlines allow power banks up to 100 Wh without approval, and 101 to 160 Wh with prior airline approval. Check your airline for the exact limit.
It varies. Knives and larger scissors normally have to go in checked baggage. Some authorities allow small scissors with short blades in the cabin, but many airlines and countries do not, so the safe move is to pack anything sharp in your checked bag and confirm with the official rules for your route.
Cartridge and disposable razors are generally fine in the cabin. Loose razor blades and the blades from a safety razor usually have to go in checked baggage, though you can keep the razor handle in the cabin. Rules vary, so check before you fly.
Many authorities allow one ordinary lighter carried on your person, not in your bag, and not in checked baggage. Torch, jet and 'blue flame' lighters are usually not allowed at all. Rules differ by country and airline, so check the official source for your trip.
Hand luggage (your cabin or carry-on bag) stays with you on the plane and is where valuables, electronics, medication and lithium batteries belong. Checked baggage travels in the hold and is where sharp objects, larger liquids and most tools and sports gear go. Size and weight limits for both are set by your airline.