Whether you’re going on a business trip, an adventure to discover Cancun you will need to take enough of your favorite face wash, hair products and mouthwash, and it all comes down to taking the right quart size baggie.
But what is the right TSA quart size bag dimensions? and how big is a quart sized bag?
The TSA approved quart-size bag dimensions are ( 6 inches in height x 9 inches in length) which is ( 15 cm in height x 23 cm in length) and even if it is slightly over this dimensions it is still approved, the TSA do not endorse any brand or mark of quart sized bags, but they prefer to be a sealable bag and made of clear plastic for easy screening.
Keep reading to know more about how strict is the TSA with quart sized bag dimensions and a list of the best quart sized bags for travel.
Use this quart-sized bag calculator to avoid the TSA confiscate your toiletries.
How to Use:
- Enter the width and length of your plastic bag, ziplock bag or sandwich bag in inches.
- Click the “Check Size” button.
- Instantly find out if your bag is within the TSA-approved quart-sized limit.
What Does Quart Sized Mean?
Here is the definition of a quart size " a unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in liquid measure and equal to 1 /4 of a gallon or 32 ounces (0.95 liter)."
You get it, right !!
Let's look at it this way, a liquid quart equals 0.95 ml or 32 fl ounces meaning that the bag is the size of approximately 1 liter bottle. Or the quart size bag can take almost 1 liter of liquids or 0.264172 of US liquid gallon.
My friend James from Travelinglight created also a calculator that will help you adjust the size to find if the bag dimensions are considered a quart size.
But mostly the total size of a quart sized bag must not exceed 16.5 inches in the total dimensions if added together.
How Big Is a Quart Sized Bag?
The TSA does not have an exact size which they consider mandatory for a quart-sized bag, but they stated that its dimensions are approximately (6 inches in height x 9 inches in length), meaning even if your bag is slightly over these sizes there will be no issues.
I searched the TSA social media to find some answers.
Here is an answer from the TSA replying to Jorena (@JorenaDiMare) about taking her 4.5 / 7 / 2 inches bag, the total dimensions of her bag is 13.5 inches.
"Liquids bags must be the approximate dimensions of a quart-sized bag, around 6" * 9", Jorena bag is good to go ".
Becka wanted to know if her toiletries bag was considered a quart-sized. 8.5" length and about 5" in height.
"As long as the toiletry bag is the approximate dimensions of a quart-sized bag (6 inches in height x 9 inches in length), you’ll be good to go through the checkpoint. Please remember to remove the filled toiletry bag from your carry-on and place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening."
How Strict Is TSA With Quart-Size Bags?
The TSA are not so strict about the dimensions or the type of the quart sized bag.
As long as you don't take a large toiletry bag, even if the bag exceeds the mentioned dimensions by few inches you are good to go.
The good thing is most manufacturers are trying to match the given dimensions, so they can claim that their bags are TSA approved, thus there will be a wide range of toiletry bags you can choose from without being worried about the size.
Does The Quart Size Bag Have To Be Clear?
No, the TSA does not require the quart size bag to be 100% transparent.
As you can see they don't mention that the quart sized bag must be transparent.
Here is a question Lauren asked if her beautiful toiletries bag can go in a carry-on bag.
The TSA replied "A quart-sized bag is the rule. There are no specific rules for the type of bag"
Nick wanted to know if his see-through mesh bag -which is not 100% transparent- is allowed to take through the security checkpoint. "I know the 3-1-1 rule uses a quart size bag for carry on but does it necessarily have to be fully clear? Will this see-through mesh work?"
Nick got a green light for his mesh toiletry bag.
How Many Quart Bags Can You Take On a Carry-On?
You can take as many quart sized bags as you want inside your carry-on bag, but you are allowed only one quart side bag of liquids.
if you try to sneak 2 quart bags containing liquids into the airplanes but most of the time you will get caught and the liquids will be confiscated.
The good news is you can place as many travel size bottles as you can inside your toiletry bag.
For example if you want to take 6.8 oz / 201 ml of shampoo and you are traveling carry on only, you can split the container to two bottles of 3.4 oz / 100 ml each and place them inside your quart sized bag.
Quart Size Bag Vs Sandwich Bag
Was you can notice in the tweet above a sandwich bag is a approved with the TSA.
But a sandwich bag is much smaller than a quart size bag, so if you planned to use it you may end up sacrificing a lo of toiletries and items.
The dimensions of a sandwich bag is about 6.5 inches x 5.5 inches ( 16.51 cm x 12.7 cm ), but as long as the TSA do not enforce any type of quart size bag and you don't have more toiletries you can use it as an alternative.
What If I Don't Have a Quart Sized Bag?
If you don't have a quart sized-bag, it is okay the TSA don't specify any type of toiletry bag, the main thing the TSA take to consideration is that the bag must not be too large, and the liquids must fit properly inside it, so you can use a Ziploc bag of example, or even a food storage bag.
Best Quart Size Bags For Travel
| Toiletry bags | Size | |
|---|---|---|
 | 2pcs/pack Lermende Clear Toiletry Bag | 7.7 x 5.9 x 2.5 inches |
 | ProCase TSA Approved Travel Toiletry Bag Pouch | 8.85 x 5.1 x 2.15 inches |
 | Clear TSA Approved 3-1-1 Travel Toiletry Bag | 6.25 x 6.25 x 2.5 inches |
 | Travel Toiletry Bag-Quart Sized with Zipper | 7.2 x 5.5 x 2.5 Inches |
Final Thoughts
If you still wonder how big a quart sized bag or a quarter bag size many passengers call it?, it's approximately (6" x 9"), however the TSA agent will not measure your bag, but he will surely notice if your bag is too large.
So as long as the toiletry bag is not that extensive, you won't have any problem.
The TSA liquid rules focus more on the quantity of liquids that are inside the bag.
FAQ: How Big Is a Quart Sized Bag?
Follow the TSA rules, and take only 3.4 oz / 100 ml of liquids, and take what fits in one quart sized bag.
No, the same rules apply for all passengers, but if you are taking any liquid medications you don't have to place them in a quart sized bag, or follow the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule.
No you don't need to label your quart sized bag, you only need to inform the TSA officer that you have liquids and remove them from your bag for further screening.
If you accidentally pack a prohibited item in your quart sized bag, it will be removed with the TSA officers at the security checkpoint, but always double check your items when packing, some types of prohibited items may put you in some serious trouble.
You are free to bring liquids in checked baggage and you don't need even to place them inside a quart sized bag.
You won't have any problem taking a small toiletry bag, only big quart sized bags maybe subject for additional screening.
We hope this helps
Happy travels
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