Lithium Battery Carry-On Checker: Power Banks, Smart Bags, and Spare Batteries
Check whether a power bank, spare lithium battery, smart bag, tracker, or device should travel in carry-on or checked baggage.
A lithium battery packing mistake can stop a bag at the airport
Lithium batteries are common in power banks, cameras, laptops, luggage trackers, smart bags, and mobility devices. The hard part is not whether the item is a "battery" in general. The hard part is whether it is installed, spare, damaged, tiny, over 100 Wh, over 160 Wh, or part of a mobility device.
The checker above turns the most common passenger-baggage rules into a quick planning result. It does not replace airline approval or official hazardous-materials guidance.
Core rule table
| Item | Carry-on | Checked baggage | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power bank or spare lithium-ion battery | Usually yes | No | Keep with the passenger and protect terminals. |
| 0-100 Wh rechargeable battery | Usually yes | Installed devices may be checked if powered off and protected | Carry-on is still the safer default. |
| 101-160 Wh spare battery | Carry-on with airline approval | No | Quantity limits usually apply. |
| Over 160 Wh spare battery | No | No | Not allowed in passenger baggage under normal rules. |
| Smart bag with lithium battery | Carry-on unless battery is removed | Checked only if battery is removed or battery is tiny under the relevant limit | Airline policies can be stricter. |
| Baggage tracker | Usually allowed if battery is very small | Usually limited to very small batteries | Check airline rules before relying on a tracker in checked baggage. |
How to use the checker
- Choose the closest item type: power bank, spare battery, installed device, smart bag, tracker, or mobility battery.
- Enter watt-hours if the label shows Wh.
- If the label only shows mAh, enter mAh and voltage so the tool can estimate Wh.
- Read the result as a packing screen: carry-on only, airline approval, checked-limited, or likely forbidden.
- Check the airline's own dangerous-goods page before traveling, especially for mobility devices, smart bags, and batteries above 100 Wh.
What official sources say
The FAA says spare lithium batteries, portable chargers, e-cigarettes, and similar removable batteries should stay in carry-on baggage and be protected from damage and short circuits. FAA passenger battery guidance also separates the common 0-100 Wh, 101-160 Wh with airline approval, and over-160 Wh bands.
FAA PackSafe guidance for baggage equipped with lithium batteries says smart bags should be carried on unless batteries are removed, with special limits for very small batteries in checked baggage. TSA screening rules are separate from FAA dangerous-goods rules, and airlines may be stricter.
Useful official references:
- FAA Airline Passengers and Batteries
- FAA Lithium Batteries in Baggage
- FAA PackSafe - Baggage Equipped with Lithium Batteries
- TSA What Can I Bring? Lithium batteries
Common edge cases
| Edge case | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Gate-checking a carry-on bag with a power bank inside | Remove the power bank and keep it in the cabin. |
| A 20,000 mAh power bank at 3.7 V | About 74 Wh, usually under the 100 Wh band, carry-on only. |
| A 27,000 mAh power bank at 3.7 V | About 100 Wh, carry-on only and close to the common limit. |
| A 140 Wh camera battery | Usually airline approval required and carry-on only if spare. |
| A recalled or damaged battery | Do not pack it. Damaged or recalled batteries are a safety risk. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a power bank in checked baggage?
Usually no. Power banks are treated as spare lithium batteries and should stay with the passenger in carry-on baggage.
How do I convert mAh to watt-hours?
Use Wh = (mAh x voltage) / 1000. A 20,000 mAh battery at 3.7 V is about 74 Wh.
Is TSA the only rule that matters?
No. TSA handles security screening, but FAA dangerous-goods rules and airline policies also matter. International flights may have additional restrictions.
Can I check a laptop with an installed lithium battery?
Often yes if the device is powered off and protected from damage or accidental activation, but carry-on is preferred when possible.
Are smart bags allowed?
Smart bags are usually safest as carry-on. If checked, the lithium battery normally needs to be removed unless the bag uses a very small battery that fits the relevant limit and the airline allows it.