Can you bring deodorant on a plane is certainly one of the most frequently asked questions passengers have regarding what you can and can’t carry on flights these days.
The TSA rules can be quite confusing so I hope this article will make things clear for you.
The Quick Answer: You can bring deodorant on a plane but due to TSA rules, it does depend on the type (spray, stick or gel), the size and whether it will be carried in checked baggage or carry on baggage. Gel, roll-on or spray deodorant must be in a container that is no larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry on.
Read on so that you don’t get yours confiscated at the security checkpoint.
Contents
Can you bring deodorant on a plane in carry on luggage?
Quite often, when people ask this, the question that they are usually really interested in is can you bring deodorant in carry on so that they can use their favorite deodorant during the flight to freshen up.
What size deodorant can you take on a plane depends on the type of deodorant it is. Basically, they fall into two categories:
Spray, gel, roll-on, liquid, cream and paste deodorants
All types, including aerosol deodorant, spray deodorants, gel deodorants, roll-on deodorants, liquid, cream and paste types, are all classed as liquids for the purposes of air travel so they fall within the Transportation Security Administration liquid rules.
How many fluid ounces can you take on a plane depends on the size of the deodorant containers. What this means is they can be placed in carry on bags but only if the size is not greater than 3.4 ounces (100ml).
By this we are referring to the size of the container, not how much deodorant is actually contained in it. For example, you couldn’t carry a 200ml can of spray deodorant in your carry on bag that has only 75ml of deodorant left in it.
All these types of deodorant, that are within the size restrictions, must be carried in a clear resealable quart sized plastic bag along with all your toiletries that are classed as liquids.
It is possible to buy travel sized items, including deodorants that are allowed in a carry on bag on Amazon if you can’t find any locally – travel-sized deodorants
Read my full article explaining the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Can you bring stick deodorant on a plane?
Firstly, solid stick deodorants are allowed in carry on luggage and it doesn’t matter about the size either since it is classed as a solid and not a liquid. Also powder and crystal deodorants are allowed, although I have never seen or heard of this type before, to be honest.
What is stick deodorant? It is a solid deodorant. Usually these are in containers that allow the solid stick to be moved up the container as it gets used. They are rather like glue sticks if you have used those.
These do not need to be put into a clear zip quart size plastic bag when carried in carry on luggage.
This is a response from the TSA to a passenger’s question on Twitter asking what size deodorant can you take on a plane:
Can you bring full size deodorant on a plane in checked baggage?
You can take any size and any type of deodorant bottle in your checked luggage except for aerosols.
Any deodorant in aerosols carried in checked baggage must not exceed 70 fl. oz in total and each container must be 18 fl. oz or less.
The restrictions for carry on luggage do not apply to baggage that is carried in the hold of an aircraft. They are not available to use during the flight if packed in your checked bags of course.
They should be securely wrapped to ensure they do not get discharged during the flight or when handled roughly by baggage handlers.
Don’t worry about your aerosol cans exploding in the aircraft’s hold as this will not happen. You can read my full article explaining why – Will aerosols explode in checked bags?
This is a response from the TSA to a passenger’s question on Twitter asking can you put spray deodorant in checked luggage:
How to take full size deodorant in carry on
Apart from taking deodorant on board the flight with you in your cabin luggage that conforms to all of the rules above, it is possible to take larger spray deodorants or aerosol cans on a plane with you, that you are not permitted to take through security.
Most large airports have numerous stores where you can be relieved of your money while passing the time waiting for your flight.
Some of these will sell toiletries, including aerosol and roll-on deodorants, and any you can buy in these stores can be taken on board with you, no matter how large they may be since you have already passed through security.
Summary
You can bring deodorant on a plane but due to TSA rules, it does depend on a number of factors. These include such things as the type (spray, stick or gel), the size and whether it will be carried in checked baggage or carry on baggage. Any gel or spray deodorant in carry on baggage must be no larger than 3.4 ounces.
Deodorant FAQs
Can deodorant go through airport security?
Stick and solid deodorants of any size and any liquid type deodorants (aerosol, spray, get) that are no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) can go through the security checkpoint. Any other sizes must go in your checked bag.
Will TSA throw away deodorant?
Any deodorants that are considered a liquid, such as aerosol, spray or gel, that are larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) will be confiscated by TSA security and will be disposed of. So put them in your checked bag.
Does solid deodorant have to go in a quart clear plastic bag?
Since solid deodorants are not considered liquids it does not need to go in a liquids bag and can be left in your carry on bag.
Is antiperspirant treated the same as deodorant?
The TSA rules concerning antiperspirant are exactly the same as it is for deodorant. Bodysprays and other similar products are also handled in the same way. So any larger than 3.4 ounces must go in checked luggage.
What size deodorant can you take on a plane?
You can only take spray or gel deodorant in carry on if no larger than 3.4 ounces but up to 18 ounces in checked bags. You can take any size solid deodorant in either carry on or checked bags.
Related posts:
You may wish to read my other articles to see what you can carry on a plane:
The complete guide to passing through airport security quickly
What is not allowed in checked baggage?
What items are not allowed in hand luggage?
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
