TSA Power Bank Rules: Watt-Hours from Milliamp-Hours

Power banks must be carried on and cannot be checked.

Checking TSA power bank rules for your trip? Use this US passenger guide for personal-use lithium-ion power banks.

Power banks must be carried on and cannot be checked. The baseline lithium-ion battery rating must not exceed 100 Wh. Airlines may have stricter quantity and Wh limits.

Use the calculation below, then work through the packing checklist. For the rest of your charging setup, explore our Charging & Power guides.

Check the flight limits

The baseline lithium-ion battery rating must not exceed 100 Wh. With operator approval, no more than two individually protected spare lithium-ion batteries exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh may be carried per person in carry-on baggage. Power banks exceeding 160 Wh are forbidden.

What should I check for an airline approved power bank?

Check your air carrier’s specific restrictions before traveling. Airlines may have stricter quantity and Wh limits.

Convert the battery label to watt-hours

If the battery does not show Wh, determine its Wh rating. Use the battery’s nominal voltage and its capacity in ampere-hours to determine watt-hours.

To calculate Wh from mAh, divide mAh by 1000 and multiply by V.

(V × mAh) / 1000 = Wh

Battery-label inspection

If the battery does not show Wh, determine its Wh rating.

Worked example: Xiaomi battery capacity

The Xiaomi example uses model PLM07ZM. Its battery capacity is 20000mAh. Its battery-capacity voltage is 3.7V. Its listed battery energy is 74Wh.

Its separate rated-capacity field is 12600mAh at 5V 5.4A. Its maximum output is 45W.

To determine watt-hours, use the battery’s nominal voltage (V) and its capacity in ampere-hours (Ah).

Protect the power bank when packing

Power banks must be protected from damage and short circuit. Battery terminals must not contact other metal. A snug plastic bag or protective pouch is a protection method.

Protective pouch packing

Battery terminals must not contact other metal.

Before handing over a bag at the gate

Remove power banks from a gate-checked bag and keep them with you in the aircraft cabin.

Moving a pouch into a backpack

Power banks must be carried on and cannot be checked.

Your preflight checklist

If the battery does not show Wh, determine its Wh rating.
Check your air carrier’s specific restrictions before traveling.
Power banks must be protected from damage and short circuit.
Remove power banks from a gate-checked bag and keep them with you in the aircraft cabin.
Damaged or recalled batteries likely to spark or generate dangerous heat must not be carried aboard an aircraft unless the damaged or recalled battery has been removed or otherwise made safe.

Notify flight crew immediately if a lithium battery overheats, expands, smokes or burns.

Common packing questions

Can my power bank go in checked luggage?

Power banks must be carried on and cannot be checked. Remove power banks from a gate-checked bag and keep them with you in the aircraft cabin.

How many can I bring?

FAA guidance places no quantity limit on rechargeable batteries under 100 Wh for personal use. Airlines may have stricter quantity and Wh limits. Check your air carrier’s specific restrictions before traveling.

What if the watt-hour rating is missing?

If the battery does not show Wh, determine its Wh rating. To calculate Wh from mAh, divide mAh by 1000 and multiply by V. Use the battery’s nominal voltage and its capacity in ampere-hours to determine watt-hours.

Continue with our power bank buying guide for your next purchase.

Sources

FAA — Airline Passengers and Batteries
FAA — PackSafe Lithium Batteries
eCFR — Exceptions for passengers, crewmembers, and air operators
UK CAA — Pack right. Safe flight.
UK CAA — Safety advice on what to pack
Xiaomi — Mi Power Bank Pro specifications