Reference · Legal limits
U.S. flight limits for power banks and spare lithium batteries
The FAA treats a power bank as a spare lithium battery and requires it in the cabin. A rechargeable spare battery rated above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh needs airline approval, with at most two larger spares per passenger.
Sources checked
- 01Decide whether it is a spare
The FAA treats power banks and portable rechargers as spare batteries. Source 1
- 02Read the watt-hour rating
Up to 100 Wh is the ordinary rechargeable battery limit. Ask the airline about a larger battery. Source 3
- 03Keep spares with you if a bag is checked
Remove any spare lithium batteries from a carry-on checked at the gate. Source 2
Spare batteries and power banks follow carry-on rules.
A power bank counts as a spare battery
The FAA includes external chargers and portable rechargers in the spare battery rules. Spare lithium batteries go in carry-on baggage. If staff check the bag at the gate, the FAA requires you to take them out and keep them in the cabin. Source 1 Source 2
Capacity and quantity are separate tests
The ordinary lithium-ion allowance is up to 100 Wh per battery. The larger band requires airline approval and permits at most two larger spares per passenger. The FAA says carriers can use tighter limits, including limits on the number of portable chargers. Source 1 Source 3
Lithium metal uses a different measurement
The FAA’s ordinary lithium metal allowance is measured in grams of lithium per battery. The ordinary maximum is two grams for these spare batteries. This measurement applies to non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries, while the watt-hour rating applies to lithium-ion batteries. Source 1 Source 3
Installed batteries have a separate packing rule
A personal device with a battery installed is treated differently from a spare. If an eligible device goes in checked baggage, it must be switched off completely and protected from damage and accidental activation. The carrier can advise on specific device restrictions. Source 2 Source 1