Yes, with limits. Nail polish is allowed in carry-ons in bottles of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less inside your quart bag. In checked bags it counts toward the FAA toiletry limit of 2 L (68 fl oz) per person, max 500 ml per bottle.
TSA allows nail polish in carry-on bags in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, packed in your one quart-size liquids bag.
Allowed in checked bags, but it is a restricted toiletry under FAA rules: each container no more than 0.5 kg (18 oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz), and all restricted toiletries together no more than 2 kg (70 oz) or 2 L (68 fl oz) per person.
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: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per bottle, in your quart-size bag
- Checked: max 0.5 kg (18 oz) / 500 ml (17 fl oz) per container
- Checked total for restricted toiletries: 2 kg (70 oz) / 2 L (68 fl oz) per person
Packing tips
- The FAA asks you to check with the flight crew before painting your nails on board because of the strong fumes.
- Standard nail polish bottles are well under 3.4 oz, but they still have to fit in your quart bag.
- Seal bottles in a zip bag; polish that leaks in a suitcase is nearly impossible to get out of fabric.
Outside the US
- UKCosmetics and other liquids are capped at 100 ml per container at most UK airports, though some airports with newer scanners allow up to 2 litres. Source
- EULiquid cosmetics must be 100 ml or less per container in one transparent bag of up to 1 litre. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Can I bring nail polish in my carry-on?
Yes, in bottles of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less packed in your quart-size liquids bag.
Can I paint my nails on the plane?
The FAA advises asking the flight crew first, since nail polish and remover give off strong odors and vapors.