The 100ml liquids rule at UK airports, and the one-litre bag that holds it all
At UK security, every liquid container is 100 ml or less and all of them fit one resealable bag of a litre. Medicines and baby food are exempt.
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At UK security, each liquid in your hand luggage has to be in a container of 100 ml or less, and all of them together have to fit in one clear, resealable bag of no more than a litre. The bag measures about 20 by 20 cm. Medicines, baby food and special-dietary items can go over that, up to 2 litres in total, for essential medical purposes. The rule is GOV.UK’s, and it applies at UK airports; other countries set their own limits, so check the airport you leave from and any airport you change planes in.
- 100 ml per container, one litre in total. A 150 ml bottle of sunscreen is refused, even if the bag is half empty.
- One bag only.
- Medicine and baby food are different. They are exempt up to 2 litres in total, for essential medical purposes, special diets and baby needs.
- Check the rules on the airport you are leaving from. Some UK airports have changed their rules, GOV.UK warns.
What is the 100 ml limit at UK security?
No container can be larger than 100 ml, and that includes liquids, gels, creams, pastes and aerosols. GOV.UK says you cannot take liquids in containers larger than 100 ml through security. A half-full 150 ml bottle does not count as 100 ml, because the container is the thing being measured.
How much can I put in the bag?
Everything you carry in liquid form has to fit in one bag, and the bag can hold no more than a litre. GOV.UK describes it as a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag that measures about 20 cm by 20 cm. A litre sounds generous until you add shampoo, toothpaste, moisturiser and a bottle of water, so pack the bag first and close it before you reach the front of the queue.
Which liquids are exempt?
Medicines, special-dietary items and baby food and milk can go over the limit, up to 2 litres in total, if they are for essential medical purposes. GOV.UK lists those three exemptions. Duty-free purchases in sealed security bags with visible receipts are also allowed, so keep the sealed bag and receipt together.
What if I am changing planes?
The UK rule governs the UK airport you leave from, and GOV.UK warns that countries outside the UK may have different rules for transit passengers. A liquid that passed in London may be taken off you in a connecting airport abroad, so check the rule for that airport before you pack. Buying duty-free after security and keeping the sealed bag and receipt is the safest approach for a longer trip.
Does the bag rule change how I pack?
Yes: the one-litre bag decides how much liquid you can take, and your cabin bag decides whether the rest fits at all. If you are trying to keep everything in hand luggage, read our guides on hand luggage sizes and fees by airline and how to travel carry-on only. They cover the cabin sizes that matter alongside the liquids rule.
GOV.UK notes that the rules for taking liquids through security have changed at some UK airports. Check your departure airport’s own page the week you fly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the liquids limit at UK airports?
Containers of 100 ml or less, all of them in one clear resealable bag of no more than a litre, according to GOV.UK.
Can I bring medicine over 100 ml?
Yes, for essential medical purposes, within a total of up to 2 litres. GOV.UK lists this as an exemption.
Can I take baby milk through security?
Yes. Baby food and baby milk are among the exemptions, up to 2 litres, GOV.UK says.
Are duty-free liquids allowed in hand luggage?
Yes, if they are in a sealed security bag with a visible receipt, GOV.UK says.
Does the UK rule apply abroad?
No. It applies at UK airports. GOV.UK warns that other countries may have different rules, including for transit passengers.
Keep reading
Cabin limits and gate fees, airline by airline.
Pack everything in one bag without checking it.
What you are owed when a flight goes wrong.
Choosing a bag that fits the cabin limit.
Sources: GOV.UK, “UK hand luggage liquids rules” and its liquids section, read 3 October 2026 (container size, bag size and capacity, exemptions, duty-free, transit warning and airport changes). This is general information; check your airport before you travel.
Photos via Pexels: Atlantic Ambience (cover), alleksana, Sergei Starostin, mingche lee, Magic K.
Written by
Anjali ShresthaPokhara-based, NMA-certified trekking guides. We’ve led 5,000+ treks across the Annapurna and Everest regions since 1998 — every word here comes from the trail. More from this author →
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