Yes, with limits. Toiletry aerosols (hairspray, deodorant, shaving foam) are allowed: 3.4 oz (100 ml) in carry-ons, up to 18 oz (500 ml) per can in checked bags. Flammable non-toiletry aerosols like spray paint, cooking spray and WD-40 are banned in both.
Personal-care and medicinal aerosols are allowed in carry-on bags in cans of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in your quart-size bag. Flammable aerosols that are not toiletries, such as spray paint, spray starch and cooking spray, are not allowed.
Toiletry and medicinal aerosols are allowed up to 0.5 kg (18 oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz) per can and 2 kg (70 oz) or 2 L (68 fl oz) per person, with nozzles capped. Non-flammable non-toiletry aerosols (hazard class 2.2, no other hazard, e.g. whipped cream or tire repair) are allowed within the same limits; flammable non-toiletry aerosols are forbidden.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Toiletry/medicinal aerosols in carry-on: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per can, in your quart-size bag
- Checked aerosols: max 0.5 kg (18 oz) / 500 ml (17 fl oz) per can
- Checked total (toiletry + nonflammable aerosols combined): 2 kg (70 oz) / 2 L (68 fl oz) per person
- Button or nozzle must be protected by a cap or similar
- Flammable non-toiletry aerosols (spray paint, spray starch, cooking spray, WD-40): forbidden in carry-on and checked
- Compressed-gas canisters (canned oxygen, refrigerant, air dusters for electronics) do not qualify as aerosols under this exception
Packing tips
- Read the label: a non-toiletry can marked 'flammable' (or with poison, corrosive or oxidizer warnings) cannot fly at all.
- The FAA test for a toiletry is whether you use it on your body; air fresheners and insecticides sprayed into the air do not qualify.
- Look for non-aerosol versions (pump or liquid) of products like cooking oil or lubricant if you need them on your trip.
Outside the US
- UKGOV.UK counts sprays such as shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorant as liquids, limited to 100 ml per container at most UK airports (some allow up to 2 litres). Source
- EUAerosols in hand luggage must be 100 ml or less per container in one transparent bag of up to 1 litre. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring spray paint in my checked luggage?
No. Spray paint is a flammable non-toiletry aerosol, which TSA and the FAA prohibit in both carry-on and checked bags.
How many aerosol cans can I put in a checked bag?
There is no can count; the limit is 18 oz (500 ml) per can and 70 oz (2 L) total per person for toiletry and allowed nonflammable aerosols.
Can I bring an aerosol whipped cream can?
Under FAA rules, nonflammable aerosols like whipped cream may go in checked bags within the per-can and per-person limits; in a carry-on it must still meet the 3.4 oz (100 ml) rule.