Yes. Not in carry-on: knives of any blade length must be checked, sheathed or securely wrapped. The exceptions are plastic cutlery and round-bladed, blunt butter knives without serrations.
TSA prohibits knives in carry-on bags regardless of blade length. Plastic knives and round-tipped, blunt-edged butter knives without serrations are allowed.
Knives 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
- Carry-on: no knives of any blade length
- Exception: plastic cutlery and rounded, blunt butter knives without serration
- Checked: allowed, sheathed or securely wrapped
Packing tips
- A butter knife with a serrated edge does not qualify for the exception, so leave serrated table knives at home.
- Use a proper blade guard or wrap the edge in cardboard and tape before putting a kitchen knife in your checked bag.
- Taking a picnic? Pack plastic cutlery in your carry-on rather than a metal knife.
Outside the US
- UKKnives with a sharp or pointed blade or a blade longer than 6 cm are not allowed in hand luggage. Source
- CanadaSince 2026 CATSA allows knives with blades of 6 cm or less in carry-on on Canadian domestic and international flights, but not on flights to the US. 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 small knife in my carry on?
No. TSA bans knives of any size in carry-on bags; only plastic knives and rounded butter knives are allowed.
Can you bring a butter knife on a plane?
Yes, if it has a rounded blade and a blunt edge with no serration. Plastic knives are also allowed.
Can I pack a kitchen knife in checked luggage?
Yes. Knives are allowed in checked bags as long as they're sheathed or securely wrapped.