Yes, you can bring cologne on a plane. What matters is the size and the format. Here's how the rules work for each kind of fragrance, and how to pack it so nothing leaks, breaks or gets pulled at security.

Rules change, and they differ by country and airport. Check the TSA "What Can I Bring?" page or your airline before you fly.

The TSA 3-1-1 rule, in plain English

In the US, liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on have to follow 3-1-1:

• 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per container.
• 1 quart-size clear bag holds all of them.
• 1 bag per passenger.

Spray cologne and liquid cologne count as liquids. Checked bags don't have the 3.4 oz limit, though there are limits on total amounts of toiletries.

Spray cologne

A full-size bottle is usually 3.4 oz (100 ml) or bigger. Exactly 100 ml is allowed in your liquids bag; anything larger has to be checked or decanted into a travel atomizer. Glass bottles can also break in a checked bag, so wrap them in clothing or a zip bag.

Liquid cologne in a small bottle

Small bottles are the easy option. Supply Matter's liquid cologne comes in a 10 ml glide-on bottle, well under the limit, so it fits in your quart bag with room to spare.

Solid cologne: the simplest way to fly

Solid cologne is a wax, not a liquid, so it isn't treated as a liquid at screening. That means it can stay in your pocket or bag instead of taking up space in your liquids bag. (As with anything, the screening officer has the final say.) It's also the most practical travel format:

• No spills. Pressure changes in the cabin can push liquid out of spray caps. Wax stays put.
• No glass. The tin won't shatter in a bag.
• Pocket-size. A solid cologne tin is about the size of an earbuds case.
• Freshen up anywhere. After a red-eye or before a meeting straight from the airport, a quick touch-up takes two seconds.

Packing tips for fragrance

• Keep fragrance in your carry-on, not your checked bag, so it doesn't sit in a hot or freezing cargo hold.
• Put spray bottles in a zip bag in case the cap loosens.
• If you're going somewhere hot, keep solid cologne out of direct sun. The wax softens in heat and firms back up when it cools.
• Bring one versatile scent rather than three. Something fresh works for the day and dresses up fine at night.

Picking a travel scent

Fresh and clean scents travel well in any climate. REVIVE (bright citrus and clean musk) and REFRESH (cold grapefruit) are easy picks. For colder trips or evenings, something warmer like INSTANCE (spiced leather) lasts longer. New to solids? Read how to apply solid cologne.

FAQ

Can I bring cologne in my carry-on? Yes. Spray and liquid cologne must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and go in your quart-size liquids bag. Solid cologne is a wax and isn't treated as a liquid.

Is solid cologne TSA-approved? Solid cologne isn't a liquid, gel or aerosol, so it doesn't need to go in your liquids bag. The officer at screening always has the final say.

Can I bring a 100 ml bottle of cologne on a plane? Yes, 100 ml (3.4 oz) is the maximum for a carry-on liquid. Anything larger has to go in a checked bag.

Will cologne leak on a plane? Spray bottles can leak with cabin pressure changes, so pack them in a zip bag. Solid cologne can't leak.