The rule in two lines
- Liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less
- All packed in one clear resealable bag of about 1 liter (quart-size in the US)
Toothpaste, sunscreen, lotion, contact lens solution and liquid makeup all count. Medicines and baby food needed on the trip usually have separate allowances; check with your airline and airport.
The most common mistake
A 200 ml bottle with only 50 ml left still isn’t allowed. What counts is the size printed on the container. That’s why travel-size bottles exist.
Filling one bag: an example
| Item | Container | Running total |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen | 50 ml | 50 ml |
| Lotion | 100 ml | 150 ml |
| Toothpaste | 75 ml | 225 ml |
| Contact lens solution | 100 ml | 325 ml |
| Travel shampoo and conditioner | 60 ml each | 445 ml |
| Total | about 555 ml to spare |
Being under 1 liter doesn’t help if the bag won’t close. Pack it for real and check that it seals.
When you’re over
- Containers over 100 ml → checked bag
- Over 1 liter in total → move the least important items to the checked bag
- Carry-on only → buy at your destination or switch to solid products
Calculating it in the app
Mark liquids and their size
When editing an item in Packing List, turn on Liquid (100 ml rule) and enter the size of each container. Catalog items such as sunscreen, toothpaste and shampoo come pre-marked with a default size.
Carry-on liquids total
Liquids in the carry-on are added up: "300 ml still fits" or "150 ml over. You’d need 2 zip bags". Containers over 100 ml are called out separately.
Sort by the rules
Sort by the rules moves containers over 100 ml, and liquids beyond the 1 L bag, to the checked bag. It’s free once a day, 3 more times after an ad, and moving items by hand is always free.
FAQ
Are solid soap and shampoo bars liquids?
Solid products usually aren’t covered, but gels and creams are, so check the product’s form.
What about duty-free liquids?
Duty-free liquids have their own sealed-bag rules that depend on your connecting airports. Check with the shop and your airline.
Packing List: Travel Checklist
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