Ryanair liquid rules: hand luggage, toiletries and aerosols
Flying Ryanair? Find out how much liquid you can take in hand luggage, what counts as a toiletry, how aerosols and makeup are treated and what to pack in checked baggage.
At a Glance
Yes, subject to security and dangerous-goods restrictions.
100ml per container under Ryanair’s published standard guidance; airport rules can differ.
One clear resealable bag up to 1 litre, about 20 × 20cm, where required.
Personal toiletry aerosols subject to screening and dangerous-goods limits.
Ordinary full-size toiletries usually allowed; restricted aerosols have quantity limits.
What are the Ryanair liquid rules?
Ryanair's published guidance uses the standard EU security model: individual liquid containers of no more than 100ml in one transparent, resealable bag up to 1 litre and about 20 × 20cm.
The bag should close fully and be presented separately when required. Airport procedures can differ, particularly at some UK airports with upgraded scanners, so check the airports on your itinerary.
Toiletries are generally allowed in cabin and checked baggage, but airport liquid screening and dangerous-goods restrictions are separate tests.
Ryanair determines the baggage allowance; airport security determines which liquids can pass screening. A bag that fits your Ryanair fare does not automatically make its contents security-compliant.
Ryanair hand luggage liquids and toiletries
For the familiar Ryanair 100ml liquid rule, pack shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, sunscreen, perfume, roll-on deodorant, shaving gel and liquid makeup in containers holding 100ml or less.
The printed container capacity matters: a partly used 200ml bottle does not qualify at airports enforcing the 100ml limit.
Aerosol deodorant and hairspray are treated as liquids at security. Personal toiletry aerosols may be carried when they meet the applicable security limit and dangerous-goods conditions; keep caps fitted.
Essential liquid medicines and baby milk or food can qualify for exceptions. Ryanair explicitly permits necessary liquid medicines and infant supplies beyond the normal bag allowance, subject to inspection; carry prescription evidence for larger liquid medicine containers when required by your departure airport.
The liquid limit is not a separate Ryanair cabin-bag allowance. Your clear bag and other toiletries must fit inside the cabin bag you are entitled to bring.
For free-bag versus Priority dimensions, use the dedicated Ryanair baggage guide.
Ryanair liquids in checked baggage
Full-size shampoo, shower gel, sunscreen and other ordinary non-hazardous toiletries can usually go in a checked bag because cabin liquid-screening limits do not apply to hold luggage.
Keep bottles sealed and protect them from leaks.
Aerosols and alcohol-based perfumes are different from ordinary liquids: aviation dangerous-goods rules still apply in the hold.
Common permitted medicinal/toiletry articles generally have a 0.5L or 0.5kg per-item limit and 2L or 2kg combined per passenger, with aerosol release valves protected; check
Ryanair’s prohibited-items guidance for your exact product. Do not put flammable household or industrial sprays in either bag just because they are small.
For cabin-bag sizes, fare-specific allowances, checked baggage and fees, see our complete Ryanair baggage guide.
Separate bag size from liquid size — Priority or an extra cabin bag does not increase the airport liquid allowance.
Check your 10kg bag choice — Liquids in a 10kg checked bag and a 10kg cabin bag follow different screening rules.
Check every airport — Departure, transfer and return airports may have different liquid-screening arrangements.
Read the container label — A half-empty 200ml bottle is still a 200ml container at airports using the 100ml rule.
Pack a clear bag — Where required, use one resealable bag of up to 1 litre and make sure it closes.
Count hidden liquids — Toothpaste, mascara, lip gloss, sunscreen, roll-on deodorant and shaving gel count at security.
Use solids where practical — Solid deodorant, soap bars and powder cosmetics free up space in your liquids bag.
Protect aerosol caps — Prevent accidental discharge and check whether your particular spray is permitted.
Keep medication accessible — Carry essential medicines in hand luggage and documentation for larger prescribed liquid containers.
Plan for the return flight — Rules can change between airports even when you fly with the same airline.
Your departure airport's liquid rules matter
Airport security, not the airline alone, decides which liquids can pass through screening. At most UK airports, containers must hold 100ml or less, even when partly empty. Some upgraded airports allow larger containers, sometimes up to 2 litres, and may not require a separate liquids bag. Check your departure airport and any connecting or return airports shortly before flying.
Where a clear bag is required, use one transparent, resealable bag of up to 1 litre, approximately 20 × 20cm, with the contents fitting comfortably and the bag fully closed. Essential liquid medicines, baby milk and food, and special dietary liquids may qualify for exemptions; have supporting documents and be ready for additional screening.
Do not assume a more generous rule at your outbound airport will also apply at your destination or on the way home. If you need a reliable cross-airport packing plan, travel-size containers of 100ml or less are the conservative choice.
How common toiletries are treated at airport security
Many everyday toiletries are treated as liquids, gels, pastes or aerosols when you pass through airport security. This isn't determined by the airline you're flying with, and the exact restrictions can vary depending on the security rules and screening equipment used at your departure airport. Here's how some of the most commonly packed toiletries are generally treated:
Deodorant
Roll-on and aerosol deodorants are generally treated as liquids for airport-security purposes. Solid stick deodorants are normally treated differently and can be a useful option if you want to reduce the number of items in your liquids bag.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste counts as a paste and is treated as a liquid at airport security. Where the traditional 100ml restrictions apply, the size of the toothpaste container therefore needs to comply with the applicable liquids limit.
Shampoo and conditioner
Shampoo and liquid conditioner are treated as liquids. This also applies to similar hair products such as gels, serums and liquid styling products. Solid shampoo and conditioner bars are generally not treated as liquids.
Shaving foam and gel
Shaving gels and foams are subject to liquid-security requirements. Aerosol shaving foam may also be subject to dangerous-goods restrictions, so larger products need particular consideration if you're packing them for a flight.
Hairspray
Hairspray is an aerosol and is treated as a liquid for cabin-security purposes. Aerosol toiletries can also be subject to airline dangerous-goods limits, so check your airline's requirements as well as the security rules at your departure airport.
Sun cream
Sun creams, lotions, gels and sprays are treated as liquids for cabin-security purposes. This includes products such as after-sun lotion and moisturising sun protection. Solid sun-protection products are generally easier to accommodate when travelling with limited liquid allowance.
Make-up and cosmetics
Liquid foundation, mascara, creams, gels, lip gloss and similar products are generally treated as liquids. Solid and powder cosmetics are generally not subject to the same liquid restrictions, although they will still pass through normal security screening.
Perfume and aftershave
Perfume, aftershave and other liquid fragrances are treated as liquids at airport security. They may also fall within dangerous-goods limits applying to toiletry and medicinal articles, particularly when larger quantities are carried.
Remember: airport-security procedures are changing as new screening equipment is introduced. Some airports may allow larger liquid containers or have different requirements for removing liquids from your cabin bag. Always check the current rules for the airport you're departing from — and any airport you'll use on a connecting or return journey — before you travel.
What is the Ryanair liquid limit in hand luggage?
Ryanair publishes a 100ml-per-container rule and a single clear, resealable bag up to 1 litre. Some departure airports have different screening procedures, so check your specific airports.
Can I take toiletries in Ryanair hand luggage?
Yes. Shampoo, toothpaste, moisturiser, sunscreen and similar toiletries are normally permitted when they meet the airport’s liquid-screening rules and fit your cabin-bag allowance.
Does Ryanair allow aerosols or deodorant spray?
Ordinary personal toiletry aerosols are generally permitted subject to airport liquid limits and aviation dangerous-goods restrictions. Protect the spray cap; do not assume all aerosols are allowed.
Can I take makeup on a Ryanair flight?
Yes. Mascara, liquid foundation, creams and lip gloss are treated as liquids at security; solid and powder makeup generally are not.
Can I take liquids in a Ryanair 10kg bag?
A 10kg bag taken through security must meet the departure airport’s cabin liquid rules. A 10kg bag checked into the hold is not subject to the same 100ml screening limit, although dangerous-goods rules still apply.
Can I put liquids and aerosols in Ryanair checked baggage?
Ordinary non-hazardous liquids can usually travel in checked baggage. Permitted medicinal and toiletry aerosols are subject to per-item and combined quantity limits; prohibited dangerous sprays remain prohibited.
Can I take more than 100ml of liquid medicine on Ryanair?
Necessary liquid medicine can qualify for an exemption. Carry it ready for security inspection and bring medical or prescription evidence where required.
Does Ryanair allow a clear toiletries bag larger than 20 × 20cm?
Ryanair’s published guidance specifies one resealable bag of about 20 × 20cm and up to 1 litre. Your departure airport may operate different screening procedures, so check before flying.