Can you bring deodorant on a plane?

Can you bring deodorant on a plane? It’s a question newbie travelers often ask along with many other similar questions about what is allowed on a plane. In our new series on what I can I bring on a plane we are examining the various rules and restrictions about what is and isn’t allowed on planes. First up is deodorant. Can you bring deodorant on a plane?

Note: this article is part of our new series “can I bring it on the plane.” Be sure to check back often as we answer your questions about what’s allowed on planes!

Can you bring deodorant on a plane?

Before we get into the details, let’s cut to the chase and answer your questions.

Question: Can you bring deodorant on a plane (in my carry on)?

Answer: Yes, passengers can bring deodorant on a plane. And in fact, if it’s stick deodorant, powder or crystals there’s no size limitation. If your deodorant is an aerosol spray, or a gel, cream or paste you will need to adhere to the TSA’s liquids and gel restrictions (no greater than 3.4 oz)

Question: Can I bring spray deodorant on a plane?

Answer: As noted in the previous answer, spray deodorant is allowed on planes, but it counts as a liquid and must adhere to the TSA Liquids Rule and be no greater than 3.4 oz)

Read: TSA Liquid Rules

Question: Can you check deodorant in your checked baggage?

Answer: Yes, deodorant can be checked in your normal baggage with no considerations

Please Explain: TSA Policy on Deodorant

Ok, let’s peel the onion a bit on why deodorant is treated this way by the TSA. If you recall, the TSA is fairly lenient on a lot of things going through security screening, however, weapons and liquids/gels tend get their attention. Weapons are obvious, but why liquids/gels?

The TSA is concerned about explosive liquids and folks making bombs out of liquid. Thus, they control the amount of liquids you can bring on a plane to 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.

Deodorant comes in different forms including: solid, gel, liquid (aerosol), and apparently creams, pastes and powders (which we did not know before researching this article!).

When deodorant is in a solid form (as is the case with most popular deodorants such as this) it’s doesn’t count as a liquid or gel so there’s no size limitation. There’s also no need to buy solid-form “travel size deodorant.” You are literally just wasting your money. By the way, this “solid” form deodorant rule applies to powdered deodorant too (like this).

Now, when deodorant comes in liquid form (most commonly an aerosol spray can something like this) it DOES count as a liquid and therefore must be under the 3.4 oz (100 ml) limit UNLESS you are checking your bag, then it can a normal sized can.

If you happen to be using some weird deodorant (my words…lol) like creams or pastes, they both count as gels and must adhere to the 3.4 oz limit.

And, of course, if you are using gel-based deodorant, it too must adhere to the 3.4 oz limit.

So, there you have it. Solid deodorant? Good to go. No limit. Gel/Liquid/Pastes/Creams? 3.4 oz or less. Got it?

Traveling with Deodorant & Other Toiletries

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention some tips for traveling with toiletries, including deodorant so here’s a few to help you along your trip.

• Buy your deodorant in bulk to save money. I actually do this for ALL of my travel toiletries because it saves you money!
• As mentioned earlier, skip the travel size deodorant. That is, if you use solid stick deodorant. If you use any other form (except powder) you will need to find something under 3.4 oz.
• Invest in a decent toiletry bag. There are lots of different options, but get something that works for you. I personally use a simple, but spacious model like this, but you might also consider a hanging toiletry bag like the 42 Travel Hanging Toiletry Bag (pictured below)

42 Travel Hanging Toiletry Bag (check price)

Final thoughts

Ok, there you have it. Now you know you can bring deodorant on a plane and how you need to. Happy traveling and stay tuned for all of our “what can I bring on the plane” articles. 

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