For carry‑on luggage on most commercial flights, you can bring liquids in containers of 3.4 fluid ounces (100 milliliters) or less , and all of them must fit inside one clear, quart‑sized (about 1‑liter) plastic bag per passenger.

The “3‑1‑1” rule (carry‑on)

  • Per container : Max 3.4 oz (100 ml) for liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes.
  • Per bag : All 3.4‑oz containers must fit into one quart‑sized, clear, resealable plastic bag.
  • Per person : Only one quart‑sized bag allowed in your carry‑on.

In practice, this usually works out to roughly 7–8 small bottles (about 25 total fluid ounces of liquid) if you pack tightly, but the key limit is the 3.4‑oz‑per‑bottle rule , not the total ounces.

Checked bags (how many oz?)

  • There is no strict “3.4‑oz” rule for checked luggage; you can pack larger bottles (shampoo, lotion, etc.) as long as they follow airline and safety rules (e.g., no flammable or hazardous materials).
  • Always check your specific airline for restrictions on alcohol, fuel‑based items, or pressurized cans.

Exceptions and special cases

  • Medications, baby formula, breast milk, and certain medical liquids can exceed 3.4 oz in carry‑on but may need to be declared and screened separately.
  • Duty‑free liquids bought after security or on the plane can be larger than 3.4 oz if they’re in a secure, tamper‑evident bag.

Quick reference table

Situation| Max per container| Total limit per person| Notes
---|---|---|---
Carry‑on liquids (TSA‑style)| 3.4 oz (100 ml) 13| One quart‑sized bag of all liquids 35| Must fit in 1 clear bag
Checked luggage liquids| No 3.4‑oz cap 34| Follow airline rules| Watch for hazardous items
Meds / baby items| Often >3.4 oz allowed 57| As medically needed| May require declaration
Duty‑free liquids| >3.4 oz allowed 37| As purchased| Must stay sealed in tamper‑evident bag

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.