Guide
Taking a power bank on a plane: the battery rules
Yes, you can take a power bank on a plane, but only in your carry-on bag, and only if its battery is within the size limits. Spare lithium batteries, including every power bank and phone charging case, are banned from checked luggage on US flights. This guide sets out the FAA and TSA rules, shows how to work out whether your power bank is under the limit, and explains why your airline may be stricter still.
On this page
The rules in one table
| Battery rating | Carry-on | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed, no quantity limit for personal use | Not allowed |
| 101 to 160 Wh | Airline approval needed, maximum two spares per person | Not allowed |
| Over 160 Wh | Forbidden on passenger aircraft | Forbidden |
The FAA says the 100 Wh limit covers nearly all lithium batteries the average person uses in personal electronics. The larger 101 to 160 Wh band is aimed at extended-life laptop batteries and some professional audio and video equipment. Non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries have a separate limit of 2 grams of lithium per battery, or up to 8 grams with airline approval.
Why power banks cannot go in checked bags
All lithium-ion batteries can overheat and go into what the FAA calls thermal runaway, which can happen without warning if a battery is damaged, overheated, wet, overcharged or poorly packed, or simply because of a manufacturing defect. Flight crews are trained to deal with a battery fire in the cabin. In the hold, nobody would see it start. That is why the FAA and TSA both say spare lithium batteries and power banks must travel in carry-on baggage only.
How to tell whether your power bank is under 100 Wh
Newer batteries usually have the watt-hour rating printed on them. Many power banks show only milliamp-hours (mAh), so you need to convert. The FAA's method: divide mAh by 1,000 to get amp hours (Ah), then multiply by the voltage (V).
Wh = (mAh / 1,000) x V
The FAA's own example is a 12-volt battery rated at 8 Ah, which is 96 Wh (12 x 8). For a power bank, use the battery voltage printed on the label, commonly given as the cell voltage, rather than the USB output voltage. As an illustration, a power bank labelled 20,000 mAh at 3.7 V works out at 74 Wh, comfortably under 100 Wh; one labelled 30,000 mAh at 3.7 V is 111 Wh, which puts it in the band that needs airline approval. If the label is unreadable or missing, an officer or gate agent has no way to confirm it is allowed, so replace it before you travel.
Packing it properly
- Protect the terminals from short circuit. The FAA suggests leaving batteries in retail packaging, taping over terminals, using a battery case or sleeve, or putting each one snugly in a plastic bag or pouch, so the contacts cannot touch metal.
- Protect it from damage. Do not pack a power bank where it will be crushed.
- Leave damaged or recalled batteries at home. The FAA says batteries likely to spark or generate dangerous heat must not be carried in either cabin or hold unless they are removed from the device or made safe. A swollen power bank falls into that category.
- Personal use only. Batteries carried for sale or distribution, such as vendor samples, are prohibited.
Devices with batteries inside
Laptops, phones, tablets and cameras with their batteries installed are treated differently from spares. The FAA says devices with rechargeable lithium batteries are best carried in the cabin, and can be checked only if they are completely powered off and protected from accidental activation, and still within the watt-hour limits. Smart luggage with a built-in battery must be carried on unless the battery can be removed; a removed battery is then treated as a spare.
Your airline may be stricter
The FAA rules are the floor, not the ceiling. The FAA itself warns that many US and international airlines set stricter limits on how many power banks each passenger may carry, regardless of watt-hour rating, and an airline may also set its own rules on charging or using a power bank during the flight. Rules can differ again on the return leg if you fly with a foreign airline or from an airport abroad. Check your airline's dangerous goods or restricted items page before you pack, particularly for international trips.
At the checkpoint, TSA lists power banks as allowed in carry-on bags and not allowed in checked bags, and the final decision rests with the officer. If you are also packing toiletries, see our TSA liquids rule guide; for what you can carry on cheaper fares, see Basic Economy explained and baggage fees compared. Travellers with powered wheelchairs or medical devices should read our special assistance page, because mobility aid batteries have their own rules.
Common questions
Can I put a power bank in my checked luggage?
No. The FAA and TSA say spare lithium batteries, including power banks and phone charging cases, must be carried in carry-on baggage only. If your carry-on is checked at the gate, take the power bank out and keep it with you.
What size power bank is allowed on a plane?
Up to 100 watt-hours per battery is allowed in carry-on without approval. From 101 to 160 Wh you need airline approval and can carry at most two spares. Over 160 Wh is forbidden on passenger aircraft.
How many mAh is 100 Wh?
It depends on the voltage. Divide mAh by 1,000 and multiply by the battery voltage to get Wh. At a typical 3.7 V cell voltage, 100 Wh is roughly 27,000 mAh, but always check the rating printed on your power bank.
How many power banks can I bring?
US rules set no quantity limit for batteries of 100 Wh or less carried for personal use, and a limit of two spares in the 101 to 160 Wh band. Many airlines set their own, lower limits, so check with your carrier.
Can I use my power bank during the flight?
That is up to the airline. The federal rules govern how batteries are carried; some airlines restrict charging or using power banks on board, so follow the crew's instructions and your airline's published policy.
Sources
- FAA PackSafe: Lithium batteries
- FAA: Airline passengers and batteries FAQ
- TSA: Power banks
- TSA: Lithium batteries of 100 watt hours or less
- 49 CFR 175.10, Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers and air operators (eCFR)
General information, not dangerous goods advice. Trailisse is an independent travel agency; the FAA, TSA and your airline are the authority.