Power Bank on a Plane: Free Flight Checker (mAh to Wh)

Can you take a power bank on a plane? Enter its capacity in mAh, Ah or the Wh printed on the label to see right away whether it passes the 100 Wh and 160 Wh airline limits. Covers carry-on and hand luggage rules for US (FAA) and UK (CAA) flights. Always confirm with your airline before you travel.

Up to 100 WhGenerally allowed in hand luggage
101 to 160 WhNot allowed unless your airline confirms in writing
Over 160 WhNot allowed

Your power banks

Airlines judge each power bank on its own size. You can check up to four.

Result

Enter a capacity to see the result.

This checker is a guide based on FAA and UK CAA rules, not an approval. Airlines, routes and countries can set stricter limits on capacity, number and use on board. Confirm with your airline before you travel.

Power bank on a plane: how the 100 Wh limit works

Airlines don’t go by mAh. They measure a power bank’s energy in watt-hours (Wh). The formula is capacity in mAh × battery voltage ÷ 1,000. Many power banks use lithium cells rated at about 3.6 or 3.7 V, so this checker starts from 3.7 V. Use the voltage on your label if it is different. The FAA and the UK CAA both publish this same formula.

Power bank on a plane infographic: watt-hour limits in three bands, up to 100 Wh, 101 to 160 Wh and over 160 Wh — Watt-hour limits at a glance. Treat anything over 100 Wh as not allowed unless your airline confirms in writing, and remember that the airline’s own rule applies.

That gives you a quick rule of thumb: 100 Wh is about 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V, and 160 Wh is about 43,000 mAh.

The mAh printed on the box is the capacity of the internal cells, not what comes out of the USB port. Conversion losses mean a 10,000 mAh power bank charges a phone with less than 10,000 mAh, but the airline limit still goes by the label figure. To see how many phone charges you really get, use our power bank charging calculator.

Where to find the Wh on your power bank

Look on the back, the side or the small print near the barcode for “Wh”, “Watt-hour” or “Rated capacity”. Many power banks print a line such as 3.7V 20000mAh 74Wh. If you only see mAh, use the checker with 3.7 V. The Wh rating should be printed on the power bank, and some airlines, for example British Airways and Jet2, will not accept a power bank whose Wh rating cannot be determined. Numbers such as 5V 3A or 65W describe how fast the power bank charges, not how much energy it holds.

Common sizes at 3.7 V

Power bank size	Energy	On a plane
5,000 mAh	18.5 Wh	Generally allowed in carry-on
10,000 mAh	37 Wh	Generally allowed in carry-on
20,000 mAh	74 Wh	Generally allowed in carry-on
25,000 mAh	92.5 Wh	Generally allowed in carry-on
26,800 mAh	99.2 Wh	Generally allowed, but close to the limit
30,000 mAh	111 Wh	Not allowed unless your airline confirms in writing
40,000 mAh	148 Wh	Not allowed unless your airline confirms in writing
50,000 mAh	185 Wh	Not allowed

Estimates at 3.7 V against the FAA and UK CAA limits. If the label prints a Wh figure, use that instead, and confirm with your airline because it may be stricter.

Power bank on a plane: carry-on and hand luggage rules

These are the general regulations from the FAA (US) and the UK CAA, including the ICAO rules the CAA summarises. Airline-specific restrictions are covered below the list. For the full rules and what changes in 2027, read our power bank airline rules guide.

Carry-on or hand luggage only. Power banks and spare lithium batteries go in your carry-on (hand luggage in the UK), never in checked luggage. If your bag is checked at the gate, take the power bank out and keep it with you in the cabin.
Up to 100 Wh: allowed without airline approval under FAA and UK CAA rules.
101 to 160 Wh: the FAA, UK CAA and ICAO text allow it with airline approval, limited to two. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) describes the limit in its guidance for passengers (31 March 2026) as two power banks of 100 Wh or less, some airlines already refuse larger ones, and from 1 January 2027 IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (68th edition) forbid passengers and crew from carrying power banks over 100 Wh. Treat anything over 100 Wh as not allowed unless your airline confirms in writing, and do not expect that approval from 2027.
Over 160 Wh: not allowed in passenger baggage, carry-on or checked.
How many: since 27 March 2026 the ICAO specifications, reflected by the UK CAA, limit passengers to two power banks each. The FAA’s PackSafe page words the quantity limits differently and says airlines may set stricter limits, so your airline’s own rule is the one that applies to you.
Using it on board: recharging a power bank during a flight is not allowed, including from seat USB or power. Whether you can use a power bank to charge your phone or other devices depends on your airline. IATA’s passenger guidance says power banks should be kept out of the overhead lockers and should not be used to power other devices during taxi, take-off or landing.
Condition and protection: damaged, swollen or leaking power banks must not fly. Protect each power bank against short circuit: original retail packaging, tape over exposed terminals, or a separate plastic bag or pouch.

General regulations vs airline-specific rules

The limits above are the general regulations. They are not a guarantee that every airline will accept your power bank. Rules differ by airline and can change, and the airline’s own rule is the one that applies to you. Check the airline that operates your flight, not the one that sold you the ticket, and if your trip uses more than one operating airline, check each one.

Before you fly: power bank checklist

My power bank is in my cabin bag, not in checked luggage. It is 100 Wh or less, or my airline has confirmed otherwise in writing. I’ve checked the rules of the airline that operates my flight, including how many power banks it allows. I won’t recharge it on board, and I’ve checked whether my airline lets me use it to charge devices. It isn’t damaged, swollen or leaking, and it is protected against short circuit (retail packaging, tape over the terminals, or a plastic bag or pouch). I’ve charged my phone and other devices before boarding.

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Power bank on a plane: common questions

Can I take a 20,000 mAh power bank on a plane?

Usually yes. At 3.7 V a 20,000 mAh power bank holds about 74 Wh, which is under the 100 Wh limit used by the FAA and the UK CAA, so no airline approval is needed under those rules. Keep it in your carry-on (hand luggage) and check your airline’s rules on how many you can bring and whether you can use it in flight.

Can I take a power bank on a plane in the USA?

Yes, in your carry-on only. Under FAA guidance a power bank of 100 Wh or less needs no airline approval, and the FAA text allows one over 100 Wh up to 160 Wh only with airline approval, limited to two. Treat anything over 100 Wh as not allowed unless your airline confirms in writing, and from 1 January 2027 the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations forbid passengers from carrying power banks over 100 Wh. Anything over 160 Wh is not allowed. The FAA says airlines may set stricter limits, so the airline’s own rule applies.

Can I take a power bank on a plane in the UK?

Yes, but only in your hand luggage, never in checked baggage. Since 27 March 2026 the ICAO specifications, reflected by the UK CAA, limit passengers to two power banks each, and recharging a power bank during a flight is not allowed. Up to 100 Wh needs no airline approval. The UK CAA text allows a power bank over 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh with airline approval, but treat anything over 100 Wh as not allowed unless your airline confirms in writing. Over 160 Wh is not allowed in the cabin or in checked baggage, and your airline’s own rule is the one that applies to you.

How many mAh is 100 Wh?

About 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V. If your power bank is rated at a different voltage, divide 100,000 by that voltage. The checker above does this for you.

Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?

No. Spare lithium batteries and power banks go in carry-on baggage only. If your carry-on is gate-checked, remove the power bank and keep it with you in the cabin.

Can I use a power bank during the flight?

You cannot recharge a power bank during a flight, including from seat USB or power. Whether you can use a power bank to charge your phone or other devices depends on your airline, so check yours. IATA’s passenger guidance says power banks should be kept out of the overhead lockers and should not be used to power other devices during taxi, take-off or landing. Charge your devices before boarding.

How many power banks can I carry?

Since 27 March 2026 the ICAO specifications, reflected by the UK CAA, limit passengers to two power banks each. The FAA’s PackSafe page words the quantity limits differently and says airlines may set stricter limits, so the airline’s own rule applies. Check the airline that operates your flight before you pack.

My power bank only shows mAh. What voltage should I use?

Use the voltage printed on the power bank if there is one. If there isn’t, power banks are typically rated at 3.7 V, so treat the result as an estimate. If the label prints a Wh figure, go by that. The Wh rating should be printed on the power bank, and some airlines, for example British Airways and Jet2, will not accept a power bank whose Wh rating cannot be determined.

Does fast charging change the limit?

No. The limit is about the battery’s stored energy in Wh, not the charging speed or the output watts of the USB-C port.

Rules last checked October 20, 2026 against official guidance: the FAA’s PackSafe lithium batteries page, the UK CAA’s Pack right. Safe flight. page and the CAA’s page on the ICAO changes effective 27 March 2026. Aviation rules change, and airlines and countries can be stricter, so this tool is a guide, not an approval. Confirm with your airline before you fly.