You can usually only take small amounts of liquid in your hand luggage, and more generous amounts in checked baggage, but the exact limit depends on where you’re flying from and whether your airport uses new scanners. Here’s a clear breakdown plus some “2026 updates” that are trending in travel news.

How much liquid can I take on a plane?

Hand luggage: the classic “3-1-1” rule

For most airports and airlines in 2026, this basic rule still applies for cabin bags on standard security lanes in many countries (especially the US and many international routes):

  • Each liquid/gel/aerosol container: max 100 ml / 3.4 oz.
  • All containers must fit in one clear, resealable bag of about 1 liter (quart-sized).
  • One bag per person in most regulations.

This includes:

  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toothpaste, liquid soap, contact lens solution).
  • Liquids, gels, creams, pastes, lotions, foams, aerosols and many cosmetics.
  • Some foods that spread or pour (yogurt, sauces, soft cheese, peanut butter).

If a bottle is bigger than 100 ml (like 150 ml or 4 oz), it usually cannot go in your carry‑on , even if it’s only half full. Security looks at the container size , not how much is left inside.

Special exceptions in hand luggage

These often have more flexible rules, but may need to be declared or screened separately:

  • Prescription and essential medications in liquid form.
  • Baby items : formula, breast milk, baby food, sterilized water.
  • Liquids bought after security (duty‑free) if sealed and following your transit countries’ rules.

You should always keep medications and baby liquids easily accessible and, when in doubt, tell the security officer what they are.

Checked luggage: much more liquid allowed

Most liquid limits mainly target carry‑on bags , not checked bags. In checked luggage:

  • Toiletries and regular liquids can usually be packed in larger bottles , subject mainly to airline weight limits and any hazardous‑materials rules.
  • Alcohol has extra rules (examples from current guidance for many routes):
* Under about 24% alcohol (beer, many wines): generally no strict volume limit from security agencies, just airline baggage rules.

* About 24–70% alcohol (many spirits): often limited to about **5 liters per person** in original sealed bottles in checked bags.

* Over 70% alcohol: typically **not allowed** at all in checked or cabin baggage.

Always check your specific airline and country rules for alcohol and flammable liquids, as they can vary.

2026 updates: airports relaxing liquid rules

In 2026, some airports (especially in parts of Europe and the UK) are relaxing the 100 ml rule thanks to new 3D/CT scanner technology:

  • Certain UK airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham now allow up to about 2 liters per liquid container in hand luggage and may not require you to remove liquids from bags at security.
  • In the US and other regions, the long‑standing 3‑1‑1 rule is still widely used, but some airports with advanced scanners are testing or planning changes and may let you keep liquids in your bag while scanning, even if they still respect the 100 ml rule for now.

The important twist: these new rules do not apply everywhere yet , and they can differ even between terminals or countries. If you connect through an airport that still enforces 100 ml, large liquid bottles from a more relaxed airport might still be taken away during transit.

Quick “what can I take?” table (hand luggage focus)

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Item type Carry-on (most airports) Carry-on (some 2026 relaxed airports) Checked baggage
Toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste) Max 100 ml per container, all in 1 small clear bag At some airports, larger containers (up to about 2 L) may be allowed and no bag removal needed Generally allowed in larger sizes, subject to airline weight rules
Drinks / water Over 100 ml usually not allowed through security; buy after security At relaxed airports, larger sealed drinks may be allowed through Non-alcoholic drinks not usually packed due to weight/leak risk; rules vary
Baby formula / breast milk Allowed in larger amounts, may need extra screening Also allowed; procedures may be smoother with new scanners Allowed, but most parents keep some in carry-on
Liquid medications Reasonable quantities allowed above 100 ml, declare if requested Same, often easier with advanced scanners Allowed; keep critical meds in cabin bag in case of lost luggage
Alcohol (24–70% ABV) Bottles must be ≤100 ml unless bought airside under duty‑free rules May still be limited if security rules keep 100 ml for alcohol; check airport policy Typically up to about 5 L per person, sealed retail packaging
Very strong alcohol (>70% ABV) Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed

Mini “story” example: packing for a 2026 trip

Imagine you’re flying from a US airport that still uses classic security to a European city, with a connection at a large UK hub. You pack:

  • 1 quart-sized clear bag with:
    • 100 ml shampoo, 100 ml conditioner, 50 ml face wash.
    • 75 ml toothpaste, 50 ml moisturizer, 50 ml sunscreen.
  • A 250 ml shampoo and big sunscreen bottle in your checked suitcase.

At your departure airport, you breeze through because everything is under 100 ml and in your clear bag. When you connect in the UK, even if that airport has newer scanners and looser local rules, your compliant 100 ml bottles are still fine—and if you buy a 1‑liter bottle of water after security there, you can usually bring it on the final flight because you passed the strictest check earlier.

Now imagine the reverse: you start in a relaxed UK airport and bring a 1‑liter shampoo bottle through security there. If you then connect in a country that still enforces 100 ml at transfer screening, that big bottle can be confiscated mid‑trip, which is why many travelers still stick to 100 ml containers when they have connections.

Practical tips before you fly

  • Check your exact route : Look up liquid rules for each country/airport you’ll pass through, especially if you have connections.
  • Default to the strictest rule (100 ml) if you’re unsure or connecting through older‑system airports.
  • Keep daily essentials (toothbrush, small toothpaste, mini shampoo, key meds) in your carry‑on within the 100 ml + 1‑liter bag rule, then put full-size bottles in checked baggage.
  • If you travel often, consider switching some items to solid versions (bar shampoo, bar soap), which usually aren’t counted as liquids and help you sidestep some of the limits.

Quick TL;DR for “how much liquid can I take on plane”

  • Carry‑on (most places in 2026): liquids/gels/aerosols in containers up to 100 ml , all in one 1‑liter clear bag , one bag per person.
  • Carry‑on (some newer‑scanner airports): limits are being relaxed; in some UK airports you can carry liquids up to 2 liters per container , without removing them from your bag, but rules vary and are not yet global.
  • Checked baggage: much more liquid allowed, mainly limited by airline weight rules and special restrictions for alcohol and hazardous liquids.

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