What Size Bag

Can I bring it on a plane?

What security allows in a carry-on and a checked bag, item by item.

Can I bring it?Type any item for TSA's carry-on and checked bag answer, with TSA's own notes, the FAA's rules where they add one, and the UK's. Food on a planeSolid food goes in either bag. Peanut butter, yogurt, soup and other spreads and sauces count as liquids, limited to 3.4 oz in a carry-on. Razors on a planeDisposable and electric razors go in either bag. Loose blades, and a safety razor with its blade in, go in checked bags only. Lighters and matchesOne disposable or Zippo lighter, or one book of safety matches, in your carry-on or on you. Torch lighters and lighter fluid can't fly. Scissors on a planeScissors go in a carry-on if the blades are under 4 inches from the pivot point. Larger ones go in a checked bag. Tools on a planeHand tools 7 inches or shorter may go in a carry-on. Longer tools, hammers, drills, saws and power tools go in a checked bag. Powders on a planeProtein powder, makeup powder and other powders go in either bag. Over 12 oz, TSA screens them in a separate bin. Water bottlesAn empty water bottle goes through security, so you can fill it at the gate. A full one over 3.4 oz has to be emptied or checked. Pepper spray on a planeNever in a carry-on. One container of up to 4 fl oz (118 ml) with a safety lock may go in a checked bag, if your airline allows. Sports gear on a planeBalls, helmets, rackets, skates and fishing rods can go in a carry-on. Bats, golf clubs, sticks, cues and ski poles go in a checked bag.

TSA's answers at a glance

Carry-on and checked bag answers from TSA and the FAA, one item per page, October 2026
ItemCarry-onChecked
Knitting needlesYesYes
Solid foodYesYes
Disposable razorYesYes
Disposable or Zippo lighterYesNo, by FAA rule (TSA: without fuel, or in a DOT case)
ScissorsYes, under 4 in from the pivot pointYes
ToolsYes, 7 in or shorterYes, including power tools and longer tools
Protein powderYesYes
Empty water bottleYesYes
Pepper sprayNoYes
Baseball batNoYes

TSA: powders over 12 oz go in a separate bin for screening. Pepper spray in checked bags: one 4 fl oz (118 ml) container with a safety mechanism. Lighters: the FAA rule, 49 CFR 175.10, allows one on your person or in a carry-on only, and the FAA’s chart lists lighters as not allowed in checked bags.

Where we get our information from

Every row is TSA’s What Can I Bring? list as of October 2026, with the FAA’s PackSafe pages and rule (49 CFR 175.10) for lighters. Checked against published data from TSA, FAA and eCFR.

See all 12 sources
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? (complete list, all 495 items, read October 25, 2026)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Food
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Scissors
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Disposable Razor
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Lighters (Disposable and Zippo)
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Tools
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Protein or Energy Powders
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Pepper Spray
  • TSA, What Can I Bring? Baseball Bats
  • FAA, PackSafe: Lighters (last updated April 13, 2026)
  • FAA, PackSafe printable chart: What can I bring? (updated November 14, 2025, PDF)
  • eCFR, 49 CFR 175.10: Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators (current to October 22, 2026)

Elsewhere on What Size Bag

HomeAirlinesBagsLiquidsBatteriesFamilyGuides

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.