Aerosols on a plane: hairspray, deodorant and sunscreen
Toiletry sprays can go in a carry-on in cans of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in the quart bag, and in a checked bag up to 500 ml (17 fl oz) a can. Flammable sprays that aren’t toiletries, like spray paint, aren’t allowed in either bag.
What’s the spray?
Spray rule
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Toiletry or not
The FAA’s PackSafe chart says that if a spray doesn’t touch your body when you use it, it likely doesn’t count as a toiletry.
Flammable sprays that aren’t toiletries or medicine, such as WD-40, spray paint, spray starch and cooking spray, are forbidden in both bags. A spray that isn’t flammable and has no other hazard, such as some electronics cleaners and whipped cream, can go in either bag with a cap on its nozzle.
Using a spray on board
Not everything you can carry on can be used in flight. The FAA says to ask the crew before using anything with a strong smell or vapor, such as nail polish and remover.
UK and EU airports
UK guidance lists shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorant as liquids, so they follow the 100 ml rule in hand luggage. Your Europe says aerosol spray paint is prohibited on flights, in the cabin and in checked baggage.
Common questions
Can a 5 oz can of hairspray go in a checked bag?
Yes, 5 oz is about 148 ml, under the FAA's 500 ml (17 fl oz) a can, as long as all your toiletries come to 2 L (68 fl oz) or less.
Does a spray need a cap to fly?
Yes, the FAA and TSA say a spray's nozzle must be protected by a cap or similar, so it can't go off by accident.
Security rules come from TSA’s own pages, checked in October 2026. Limits for checked bags and for sprays that aren’t toiletries are the FAA’s. Checked against published data from TSA, FAA, US DOT (eCFR), GOV.UK and European Union.
See all 14 sources
TSA, Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule (with its duty free exemption for inbound international flights)
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Hair Spray
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Deodorant (aerosol)
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Sunscreen
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Dry Shampoo (aerosol)
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Perfume
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Bug Repellent
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Aerosol Insecticide
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Spray Paint
TSA, What Can I Bring?: Cooking spray
FAA, PackSafe chart (printable, updated November 14, 2025): medical and toiletry articles, aerosols, alcoholic beverages, duty-free perfume
US DOT (eCFR), 49 CFR 175.10: exceptions for passengers, crewmembers and air operators
GOV.UK, Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: liquids
European Union, Your Europe: luggage restrictions (last checked by the EU June 16, 2026)
General guidance from airline, TSA and FAA rules, checked on the date shown. Rules change, and the airline and security officers decide on the day: check your airline before you fly.