Yes, with limits. In carry-on only. Lithium-ion spares are limited to 100 Wh each (101–160 Wh with airline approval, max two), and lithium-metal spares to 2 g lithium each. Spares are banned from checked bags.
Uninstalled lithium-ion batteries up to 100 Wh and lithium-metal batteries up to 2 g lithium are allowed in carry-on in any personal-use quantity. Each must be protected from short circuit (original packaging, taped terminals, battery case, or separate plastic bag).
Spare lithium batteries are prohibited in checked baggage. Remove them from any bag that is gate-checked or checked planeside.
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
- Lithium-ion: up to 100 Wh per battery without approval
- Lithium-ion 101–160 Wh: airline approval required, max two spares per person
- Lithium-metal: up to 2 g lithium per battery; 2–8 g with airline approval, max two spares
- Over 160 Wh lithium-ion: forbidden
- Personal use only; batteries for sale or distribution are prohibited
- Damaged, defective or recalled batteries are not allowed in any bag
Packing tips
- Put each loose battery in its own small plastic bag or cover the terminals with tape so nothing metal can bridge them.
- Phone battery cases and power banks count as spare batteries too.
- Check for recalls on cpsc.gov before you fly; a recalled battery cannot go on the plane.
Common capacities
| Capacity | At 3.6 V | At 3.7 V | At 3.85 V | Verdict at 3.7 V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 mAh | 18 Wh | 18.5 Wh | 19.2 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 10,000 mAh | 36 Wh | 37 Wh | 38.5 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 15,000 mAh | 54 Wh | 55.5 Wh | 57.8 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 20,000 mAh | 72 Wh | 74 Wh | 77 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 25,000 mAh | 90 Wh | 92.5 Wh | 96.2 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 26,800 mAh | 96.5 Wh | 99.2 Wh | 103.2 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 27,000 mAh | 97.2 Wh | 99.9 Wh | 104 Wh | Carry-on, no approval |
| 30,000 mAh | 108 Wh | 111 Wh | 115.5 Wh | Needs airline approval |
| 40,000 mAh | 144 Wh | 148 Wh | 154 Wh | Needs airline approval |
| 50,000 mAh | 180 Wh | 185 Wh | 192.5 Wh | Not allowed |
Outside the US
- UKUK rules mirror the 100 Wh / 160 Wh and 2 g limits and require spares in hand luggage, individually protected from short circuit. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring spare lithium batteries in checked luggage?
No. Spare (uninstalled) lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries are allowed only in carry-on bags under FAA rules.
How many spare lithium batteries can I bring on a plane?
There is no FAA count limit for batteries of 100 Wh or less carried for personal use, though airlines may set limits. Larger 101–160 Wh batteries are capped at two and need airline approval.