Yes. Only without a knife. Multi-tools with a knife blade of any length must be checked; ones with no blade, or with scissors under 4 inches, can go in carry-on.
A multi-tool with a knife blade of any length is not allowed in carry-on. Multi-tools without blades are allowed, and ones that include scissors are allowed if the scissor blades are under 4 inches.
All multi-tools are allowed in checked bags. Wrap or sheathe it in checked bags so baggage handlers and TSA inspectors can't get cut.
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
- Knife blade of any length: checked bags only
- Scissors on the tool: must be under 4 inches for carry-on
- Multi-tools without blades: allowed in carry-on
- Tools on the multi-tool also fall under TSA's 7-inch tool limit for carry-on
Packing tips
- Several makers sell TSA-friendly multi-tools with no knife blade; those are the ones to carry on.
- Pliers-style multi-tools are long when opened; TSA measures tools end to end when assembled, so check the length too.
Outside the US
- CanadaCATSA requires multitools with blades to go in checked baggage. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring a leatherman on a plane?
Only in checked luggage if it has a knife blade, which most Leatherman models do. Blade-free versions can go in carry-on.
Are multi tools without knives allowed in carry on?
Yes. TSA lists multi-tools without blades as allowed in carry-on and checked bags.