Can You Bring Aerosols on a Plane? (2026 Rules)
Personal aerosols under 100 ml are allowed in carry-on inside your liquids bag. Flammable sprays, paint, and compressed air are banned. Full rules here.
Can You Bring Aerosols on a Plane?
Yes — personal aerosols under 100 ml are allowed in carry-on luggage. They must fit in your 1-litre clear liquids bag at security. Flammable industrial aerosols, spray paint, and compressed air are banned from both carry-on and checked luggage.
The Aerosol Rule in Carry-On
Aerosol cans are treated as liquids by aviation security. The same 100 ml per container rule that applies to shampoo and toothpaste applies to spray deodorant and dry shampoo. The container size is what matters — not how much product remains inside.
The rule: aerosol cans for personal hygiene or toiletry use, 100 ml or under, are allowed in carry-on inside your sealed 1-litre liquids bag.
The concern behind the rule: pressurised aerosol cans can pose a flammability or pressure risk if the contents are flammable or toxic. Personal hygiene aerosols are generally low-risk, but industrial aerosols (spray paint, engine starter, wasp killer) use highly flammable or toxic propellants and are banned outright.
The 100 ml Rule and Aerosols
Aerosols sold for personal use typically come in 150 ml, 200 ml, or 250 ml cans. These are all over the carry-on limit.
What fits: travel-size products (usually 75 ml, 100 ml, or the newer 85 ml sizes common in US airport shops) are fine. When buying travel-size aerosols, check both the label volume and the printed ml/fl oz statement — sometimes the fill volume differs from the can capacity.
What doesn't fit: any aerosol can over 100 ml. This includes most standard deodorant sprays, hairsprays, and dry shampoos sold in regular sizes.
In checked luggage, aerosols for personal use are generally allowed in larger sizes. IATA rules for passenger baggage permit non-flammable aerosols up to 500 ml (0.5 kg) per container, with a total of 2 kg/2 litres per person. Most airlines follow this.
Common Aerosols: Carry-On Rules
| Aerosol | Carry-On Allowed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deodorant spray (100 ml) | Yes | Must be in liquids bag |
| Deodorant spray (150 ml+) | No | Too large — pack in hold |
| Dry shampoo (75 ml) | Yes | Travel size only |
| Dry shampoo (150 ml+) | No | Too large for carry-on |
| Hairspray (100 ml) | Yes | Must be in liquids bag |
| Sunscreen spray (100 ml) | Yes | Must be in liquids bag |
| Body spray / perfume spray | Yes, if 100 ml or under | In liquids bag |
| Medical inhaler | Yes, any size | Exempt from 100 ml rule |
| Compressed air / keyboard cleaner | No | Flammable propellant — banned |
| Wasp spray / insect killer | No | Banned carry-on and hold |
| Spray paint | No | Banned carry-on and hold |
| Engine starter spray | No | Banned carry-on and hold |
| Cooking spray (Pam etc.) | Not recommended | Flammable propellant — avoid |
Flammable Aerosols
The category of aerosols that are banned entirely — from both carry-on and checked luggage — are those using highly flammable or toxic propellants or containing hazardous contents:
- Spray paint: both the propellant and contents are flammable or toxic.
- Compressed air (Dust-Off, keyboard cleaner): uses difluoroethane, a flammable propellant.
- Wasp and hornet spray: toxic contents.
- Engine starter (Easy Start, Bradex): extremely flammable aerosol, banned from all aircraft.
- Oven cleaner spray: corrosive.
If in doubt about a specific product, check the can label. Products labelled "flammable", "extremely flammable", or "toxic" are prohibited.
Tips for Packing Aerosols
For carry-on: Buy travel-size versions (100 ml or under). Don't rely on the product being "nearly empty" — the volume printed on the can is what security checks, not the current fill level.
For checked luggage: Pack aerosols upright where possible. Ensure lids are secured. Airlines generally permit non-flammable personal aerosols in checked bags without restriction beyond the IATA total weight/volume limits.
At the security tray: Remove your liquids bag and place it in its own tray. Security may ask to remove aerosol cans individually if the bag appears full.
Summary
| Situation | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Personal aerosol, 100 ml or under, in liquids bag | Yes |
| Personal aerosol over 100 ml in carry-on | No |
| Personal aerosol over 100 ml in checked bag | Generally yes (per IATA limits) |
| Medical inhaler any size | Yes (carry-on, exempt) |
| Flammable or industrial aerosol | No (carry-on and hold) |
| Compressed air / keyboard cleaner | No (carry-on and hold) |
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring deodorant spray in my carry-on?▾
Yes, if it is 100 ml or under. It must go in your clear 1-litre liquids bag at security. Deodorant spray over 100 ml must be packed in checked luggage.
Can I bring dry shampoo in my carry-on?▾
Yes, if the can is 100 ml or under. Most standard dry shampoo cans are 150–250 ml and too large for carry-on. Buy a travel-sized version (75–100 ml) or pack your regular can in checked luggage.
Is compressed air (keyboard cleaner) allowed on planes?▾
No. Compressed air cans (like Dust-Off or similar keyboard cleaners) use flammable propellants and are prohibited in both carry-on and checked luggage. They are classified as hazardous materials under aviation dangerous goods rules.
Does sunscreen spray count as an aerosol?▾
Yes. Sunscreen spray is treated as a liquid aerosol subject to the 100 ml rule. A 75 ml or 100 ml sunscreen spray is allowed in your liquids bag. Larger cans must be checked.
Are medical inhalers exempt from the aerosol rule?▾
Yes. Prescription inhalers and medical aerosols are exempt from the 100 ml liquids rule in the US, UK, EU, and Australia. Carry your prescription or a doctor's note when travelling internationally.
Check if your bag fits
Use our free tool to check your carry-on dimensions against any airline.
Check my bag →