TSA allows an empty water bottle in your carry-on, so you can fill it after security. A full bottle holding more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) has to be emptied first or packed in a checked bag.
By its everyday name, such as an empty water bottle or bottled water.
TSA’s answer
Type an item, or pick one: an empty water bottle, bottled water, an empty coffee thermos, ice.
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Empty it before the checkpoint
TSA says you may take empty drink containers through the checkpoint and fill them afterward.
Drinks on TSA’s list
| Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| An empty water bottle | Yes | Yes |
| An empty coffee thermos | Yes | Yes |
| An empty drink container | Yes | Yes |
| Bottled water | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Juices | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Soda | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Liquid coffee | 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less | Yes |
| Ice | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
| Water for babies | Yes, with conditions | Yes |
Ice in a bottle
Frozen liquid passes the checkpoint if it’s frozen solid when it’s screened. Once it’s partly melted, slushy or has liquid at the bottom, the 3-1-1 rule applies, so a bottle frozen the night before may not make it through a long line.
Water for babies
TSA allows water for babies in reasonable quantities in a carry-on. Take it out of the bag so it can be screened on its own.
Flying from the UK
UK security (gov.uk, October 2026) counts water as a liquid: most UK airports don’t let containers over 100 ml through, even part full. Frozen liquids aren’t allowed in hand luggage, so the frozen bottle that works at a US checkpoint won’t in the UK.