Batteries Carried by Airline Passengers
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What kinds of batteries does the FAA allow in carry-on baggage (in the aircraft cabin)?
A1. Passengers can carry most consumer-type batteries and portable battery-powered electronic devices for their own personal use.
Spare batteries must be protected from damage and short circuit. Battery-powered devices must be protected from accidental
activation and heat generation. Batteries allowed in carry-on baggage include:
 Dry cell alkaline batteries: typical AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, button-sized cells, etc.
 Dry cell rechargeable batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCad). For rechargeable lithium
ion batteries; see next paragraph.
 Lithium ion batteries (a.k.a.: rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO, secondary lithium). Passengers may carry all
consumer-sized lithium ion batteries (up to 100 watt hours per battery). This size covers AA, AAA, cell phone, PDA, camera,
camcorder, handheld game, tablet, portable drill, and standard laptop computer batteries. The watt hours (Wh) rating is marked
on newer lithium ion batteries and is explained in #3 below. External chargers are also considered to be a battery.
Passengers can also bring two (2) larger lithium ion batteries (100-160 watt hours per battery) in their carry-on. This size covers
the largest aftermarket extended-life laptop batteries and most lithium ion batteries for professional-grade audio/visual
equipment. Most lithium ion batteries for consumer electronics are below this size.
 Lithium metal batteries (a.k.a.: non-rechargeable lithium, primary lithium). These batteries are often used with cameras and
other small personal electronics. Consumer-sized batteries (up to 2 grams of lithium per battery) may be carried. This includes
all the typical non-rechargeable lithium batteries used in cameras (AA, AAA, 123, CR123A, CR1, CR2, CRV3, CR22, 2CR5,
etc.) as well as the flat round lithium button cells.
 Nonspillable wet batteries (absorbed electrolyte), limited to 12 volts and 100 watt hours per battery. These batteries must be
the absorbed electrolyte type (gel cells, AGM, etc.) that meet the requirements of 49 CFR 173.159a(d); i.e., no electrolyte will
flow from a cracked battery case. Batteries must be in strong outer packagings or installed in equipment. Passengers are also
limited to two (2) spare (uninstalled) batteries. Spare batteries’ terminals must be protected (non-conductive caps, tape, etc.)
within the outer packaging. Batteries and outer packaging must be marked “nonspillable” or “nonspillable battery.” Note: This
exception is for portable electronic devices, not for vehicle batteries. There are separate exceptions for powered wheelchairs.
Q2. What kinds of batteries does the FAA allow in checked baggage?
A2. Except for spare (uninstalled) lithium metal and lithium-ion batteries, all the batteries allowed in carry-on baggage are also
allowed in checked baggage. The batteries must be protected from damage and short circuit or installed in a device. Battery-powered
devices—particularly those with moving parts or those that could heat up—must be protected from accidental activation. Spare
lithium metal and lithium ion/polymer batteries are prohibited in checked baggage—this includes external chargers.
Q3. How do I determine the watt hours (Wh) rating of a battery?
A3. To determine watt hours (Wh), multiply the volts (V) by the ampere hours (Ah). Example: A 12-volt battery rated to 8 Amp
hours is rated at 96 watt hours (12 x 8 = 96). For milliamp hours (mAh), multiply by the volts and divide by 1000.
Q4. Is there a limit to the number of batteries I can carry?
A4. There is no limit on the number of most consumer-size batteries or battery-powered devices that a passenger can carry for
personal use. The larger lithium ion batteries are limited to two (2) batteries per passenger; see “Lithium ion batteries” explanation
above. Only two (2) spare/uninstalled nonspillable wet (absorbed electrolyte) batteries may be carried.
Q5. What does “protected from short circuit” mean?
A5. When metal objects such as keys, coins, tools or other batteries come in contact with both terminals of a battery it can create a
“circuit” or path for electricity to flow through. Electrical current flowing through this unprotected short circuit can cause extreme
heat and sparks and even start a fire. To prevent short circuits, keep spare batteries in their original packaging, a battery case, or a
separate pouch or pocket. Make sure loose batteries can’t move around. Placing tape over the terminals of unpackaged batteries
also helps to insulate them from short circuit.
For a quick reference guide, see illustrated table on next page…
Federal Aviation Administration
February 10, 2015 Office of Hazardous Materials Safety http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe
Batteries Allowed in Airline Passenger Baggage in the US
Type of Battery There is no limit
to the number of batteries or devices carried for
personal use unless specified below.
Allowed in carry-on
baggage?
Allowed in checked
baggage?
In equipment1 Spares In equipment Spares
Dry alkaline batteries YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
Dry rechargeable – Nickel Metal Hydride
(NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), etc.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
Lithium ion (rechargeable lithium, lithium
polymer, LIPO) as used in small consumer
electronics, such as cell phones, tablets, tools,
cameras, PDAs, and laptops. Limited to 100 watt
hours2 or less per battery.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES NO
Larger lithium ion, 100-160 watt
hours2 per battery—with airline approval.
Limits: Two spare batteries per
passenger.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES NO
Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) as used in
small consumer electronics such as cameras,
LED flashlights, watches, etc. (2 grams or less
lithium per battery).

YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES NO
Nonspillable wet batteries (absorbed
electrolyte) for portable electronic devices, 12
volts and 100 watt hours2 per battery.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit and in strong
packaging. Battery
and outer packaging
must be marked
“nonspillable.”
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit and in strong
packaging. Battery
and outer packaging
must be marked
“nonspillable.”
For more information and for rules on battery-powered wheelchairs or assistive devices, please go to http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe or call
the DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922. For TSA security restrictions please go to http://www.tsa.gov
Limits: Two spare batteries
per passenger.
1Note: TSA security rules prohibit some power tools in carry-on baggage. 2Note: Watt hours
Batteries Allowed in Airline Passenger Baggage in the US
Type of Battery There is no limit
to the number of batteries or devices carried for
personal use unless specified below.
Allowed in carry-on
baggage?
Allowed in checked
baggage?
In equipment1 Spares In equipment Spares
Dry alkaline batteries YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
Dry rechargeable – Nickel Metal Hydride
(NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), etc.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
Lithium ion (rechargeable lithium, lithium
polymer, LIPO) as used in small consumer
electronics, such as cell phones, tablets, tools,
cameras, PDAs, and laptops. Limited to 100 watt
hours2 or less per battery.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES NO
Larger lithium ion, 100-160 watt
hours2 per battery—with airline approval.
Limits: Two spare batteries per
passenger.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES NO
Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) as used in
small consumer electronics such as cameras,
LED flashlights, watches, etc. (2 grams or less
lithium per battery).

YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit
YES NO
Nonspillable wet batteries (absorbed
electrolyte) for portable electronic devices, 12
volts and 100 watt hours2 per battery.
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit and in strong
packaging. Battery
and outer packaging
must be marked
“nonspillable.”
YES YES
When protected from
damage and short
circuit and in strong
packaging. Battery

Hazardous materials
Hazardous Material Checked Bag Carry On
Refer to the following label.
Adhesives, flammable
Rubber cement, pipe cement, some super glues and other flammable adhesives
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Adhesives, flammable
Refer to the following label.
Adhesives, nonflammable
School glue, glue sticks, etc.
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Adhesives, nonflammable
Refer to the following label.
Aerosol laundry products, flammable
Spray starch, anti-static spray, etc.
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Aerosol laundry products, flammable
Refer to the following label.
Aerosol mosquito, insect repellent
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Aerosol mosquito, insect repellent
Refer to the following label.
Aerosol sun block, tanning spray, sunburn treatment
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Aerosol sun block, tanning spray, sunburn treatment
Refer to the following label.
Aerosols flammable
Non-toiletry, WD-40, spray paint, spray starch, cooking spray, etc.
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Aerosols flammable
Refer to the following label.
Aerosols non-flammable
Non-toiletry, some electronics cleaners, whipped cream
acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Aerosols non-flammable
Refer to the following label.
Alcoholic beverages
In unopened retail packaging, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume (up to 140 proof)
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Alcoholic beverages
Refer to the following label.
Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
Greater than 70% alcohol by volume (more than 140 proof), including grain alcohol and 151 proof rum
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
Refer to the following label.
Animal spray, repellent
Greater than 118 ml (4 fluid ounces), bear spray, animal repellent
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Animal spray, repellent
Refer to the following label.
Avalanche rescue backpack, self-inflating
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Avalanche rescue backpack, self-inflating
Refer to the following label.
Batteries, wet, nonspillable
Gel cell and absorbed electrolyte batteries for portable electronics
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Batteries, wet, nonspillable
Refer to the following label.
Biological specimens, non-infectious, in preservative solutions
Containing formaldehyde, ethanol, isopropanol, or other alcohols
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Biological specimens, non-infectious, in preservative solutions
Refer to the following label.
Burning paste, gel
Fire starting
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Burning paste, gel
Refer to the following label.
Camping fuel
Propane, white gas, Coleman fuel, Sterno, solid fuels, stoves containing fuel
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Camping fuel
Refer to the following label.
Camping stoves and fuel bottles completely purged of fuel
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Camping stoves and fuel bottles completely purged of fuel
Refer to the following label.
Curling irons (cordless)
Cordless curling iron, butane fueled curling irons
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Curling irons (cordless)
Refer to the following label.
Dry ice
Carbon dioxide, solid, 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) or less, when used to pack perishables
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Dry ice
Refer to the following label.
Duty free perfume and cologne
Perfumes and colognes purchased through airport and airline duty free shops
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Duty free perfume and cologne
Refer to the following label.
Electronic cigarettes, vaping devices
Battery-powered E-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems
!
See Details
acceptable
Details for Electronic cigarettes, vaping devices
Refer to the following label.
Engine powered equipment completely purged of fuel
Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc.
acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Engine powered equipment completely purged of fuel
Refer to the following label.
Engine powered equipment with residual fuel
Chainsaws, generators, trimmers, etc.
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Engine powered equipment with residual fuel
Refer to the following label.
Fireworks
Firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers, sparklers
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Fireworks
Refer to the following label.
Flat tire repair
Nonflammable aerosol
acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Flat tire repair
Refer to the following label.
Formaldehyde solutions, less than 10 percent
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Formaldehyde solutions, less than 10 percent

and outer packaging
must be marked
“nonspillable.”
For more information and for rules on battery-powered wheelchairs or assistive devices, please go to http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe or call
the DOT Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922. For TSA security restrictions please go to http://www.tsa.gov
Limits: Two spare batteries
per passenger.
1Note: TSA security rules prohibit some power tools in carry-on baggage. 2Note: Watt hours (Wh) = Volts (V) x Amp hours (Ah) or V x mAh ÷

Hazardous materials
Hazardous Material Checked Bag Carry On
Refer to the following label.
Fuel cells containing flammable gases or water-reactive material
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Fuel cells containing flammable gases or water-reactive material
Refer to the following label.
Fuel cells containing flammable liquid or corrosive material
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Fuel cells containing flammable liquid or corrosive material
Refer to the following label.
Gasoline and flammable fuels
Including containers and equipment with residual fuel
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Gasoline and flammable fuels
Refer to the following label.
Hand warmers, toe warmers, body warmers
Disposable warming pads using carbon, charcoal, and iron compounds. Hot Hands, Little Hotties, etc.
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Hand warmers, toe warmers, body warmers
Refer to the following label.
Heat producing articles
Diving lamps, soldering equipment
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Heat producing articles
Refer to the following label.
Implanted medical device, ingested or injected radiopharmaceuticals
Heart pacemakers, radioactive medicines in the body, etc.
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Implanted medical device, ingested or injected radiopharmaceuticals
Refer to the following label.
Lighter fluid
Lighter refills (liquid or gas), butane
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Lighter fluid
Refer to the following label.
Lighter, unabsorbed liquid
Some desk/table lighters, antique wick lighters
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Lighter, unabsorbed liquid
Refer to the following label.
Lighters, butane or absorbed liquid
Personal lighters: butane, disposable (Bic), absorbed liquid (Zippo)
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Lighters, butane or absorbed liquid
Refer to the following label.
Liquid nitrogen in a dry shipper
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Liquid nitrogen in a dry shipper
Refer to the following label.
Lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, spare (uninstalled)
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cell phone batteries, laptop batteries
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Lithium ion and lithium metal batteries, spare (uninstalled)
Refer to the following label.
Matches, safety
Safety matches, waterproof matches
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Matches, safety
Refer to the following label.
Matches, strike-anywhere
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Matches, strike-anywhere
Refer to the following label.
Medical-clinical mercury thermometer
Small medical thermometer
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Medical-clinical mercury thermometer
Refer to the following label.
Medicinal & toiletry articles
Including hairspray, aerosols, rubbing alcohol, inhalers, nail polish and remover, etc.
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Medicinal & toiletry articles
Refer to the following label.
Mercury barometer or thermometer
Carried by government weather bureau or similar official agency.
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Mercury barometer or thermometer
Refer to the following label.
Oxygen (compressed or liquid)
Medical oxygen, recreational oxygen
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Oxygen (compressed or liquid)
Refer to the following label.
Paints and solvents, flammable
Including thinners, turpentine, MEK, denatured alcohol, acetone, resins, lacquers, varnishes, stains
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Paints and solvents, flammable
Refer to the following label.
Permeation devices for calibrating air quality monitoring equipment
acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Permeation devices for calibrating air quality monitoring equipment
Refer to the following label.
Portable electronic devices, containing batteries
Cell phones, laptop, camera, smart phones, PDAs
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Portable electronic devices, containing batteries
Refer to the following label.
Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs)
Inogen One, Sequal Eclipse, Airsep Lifestyle and others approved by the FAA
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs)
Refer to the following label.
Scuba tanks, pressurized
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Scuba tanks, pressurized
Refer to the following label.
Sealant, waterproofing, flammable
Seam sealers for tents
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Sealant, waterproofing, flammable
Refer to the following label.
Self defense spray
Mace, pepper spray not exceeding 118 ml (4 fluid ounces)
acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Self defense spray
Refer to the following label.
Self-inflating life jacket or safety vest
Inflatable life jackets, motorcycle vests, riding vests
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Self-inflating life jacket or safety vest

Hazardous materials
Hazardous Material Checked Bag Carry On
Refer to the following label.
Signal flares and road flares
not acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Signal flares and road flares
Refer to the following label.
Small arms ammunition
Cartridges up to 19.1mm, shotgun shells
acceptable
not acceptable
Details for Small arms ammunition
Refer to the following label.
Small compressed gas cylinders and cartridges in or with a device
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other nonflammable, nontoxic gases
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Small compressed gas cylinders and cartridges in or with a device
Refer to the following label.
Small compressed gas cylinders for mechanical limbs
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Small compressed gas cylinders for mechanical limbs
Refer to the following label.
Spare batteries, dry cell
Alkaline, nickel metal hydride, nickel cadmium
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Spare batteries, dry cell
Refer to the following label.
Spare fuel cells and cartridges
not acceptable
acceptable
Details for Spare fuel cells and cartridges
Refer to the following label.
Tire inflation kit
Containing small nonflammable gas cylinder cartridges
acceptable
acceptable
Details for Tire inflation kit
Refer to the following label.