Short answer: power banks belong in carry-on baggage, but watt-hours are only the first check. Calculate the battery’s Wh, identify the general policy tier, then confirm the current rules with the airline actually operating your flight. Airline quantity, size, storage, and onboard-use limits can be stricter than the general regulatory baseline.
Plain-English decision first
What your result will mean
Use the number as a screening result, not boarding approval. A clearly labeled power bank at or below 100 Wh is the simplest case, but the airline still decides its current quantity and onboard-use rules.
Falls inside the FAA’s general lower tier. Carry it in the cabin and check your airline’s limits.
Do not assume approval. FAA and newer power-bank-specific or airline policies may lead to different outcomes.
Stop before packing it. Confirm the exact item and itinerary with the operating airline.
Disclosure: The calculator is free and affiliate-independent. Later links to TPTK power-bank buying guides may contain Amazon affiliate links; The Pro Tool Kit may earn from qualifying purchases.
Power-bank airline carry-on rules calculator
Enter the rating printed on the battery. Use labeled Wh when available; otherwise use labeled mAh and the battery’s nominal voltage.
Your screening result will appear here
Enter the rating exactly as printed. If the label already shows Wh, use that value instead of recalculating it from USB output voltage.
How the calculator classifies the result
The FAA general tier is the simplest, but airlines may impose lower quantity limits, storage rules, or onboard-use restrictions. Power banks remain carry-on items.
The FAA describes a carrier-approval path for some batteries. Current IATA power-bank guidance and some airline policies are stricter for power banks specifically. Contact the operating airline.
Do not treat this as ordinary passenger baggage. Special equipment and cargo rules are outside this tool; contact the airline before travel.
Uncertainty is a result, not a rounding method
If the label shows only mAh and several USB output voltages, do not choose 5 V, 9 V, 12 V, or 20 V just because it is visible. Those may be output profiles rather than the battery pack’s nominal cell voltage. Prefer the manufacturer’s labeled Wh. If Wh and nominal voltage cannot be verified, ask the manufacturer and the operating airline.
Dated official policy snapshot
This table is a source map, not a promise that every airline or country uses the same rule. Policies were checked on July 16, 2026 and can change.
Method: the calculator performs unit conversion and assigns a general screening tier. It does not infer chemistry, condition, authenticity, manufacturer certification, destination law, security-screening outcome, or airline approval. Corrections: hello@theprotoolkit.com.
Commercial handoffs after the rule check
Choose a product only after you know the airline limit that applies. These guides use Amazon affiliate links, but the calculator result does not recommend a particular power bank.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a power bank in checked baggage?
Power banks and spare lithium batteries generally belong in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. If a cabin bag is gate-checked, remove the power bank and keep it in the cabin. Confirm the current process with the operating airline.
How do I convert mAh to Wh for a power bank?
Divide mAh by 1,000 to get Ah, then multiply Ah by the battery’s nominal voltage. A 20,000 mAh battery at 3.7 V is 20 Ah x 3.7 V, or 74 Wh. Prefer the manufacturer’s labeled Wh when available.
Should I use 5 V or 3.7 V in the calculation?
Use the battery pack’s labeled nominal voltage, not automatically a USB output profile. A label may show several output voltages for charging devices. If the nominal voltage is not identified, use the manufacturer’s labeled Wh or ask the manufacturer.
Is a 100 Wh power bank guaranteed to be allowed?
No. It fits the FAA’s general lower tier, but airlines can set stricter quantity, storage, route, and onboard-use restrictions. The calculator is a screening tool, not boarding approval.
Can the airline approve a power bank between 101 and 160 Wh?
Do not assume it can. FAA general guidance describes an approval path for some batteries in this range, while current IATA power-bank guidance and some airlines impose a 100 Wh ceiling for power banks. Contact the operating airline with the exact product label.
What if the power bank has no readable Wh or voltage label?
Treat the rating as unverified. Do not invent a voltage or rely on marketing capacity alone. Ask the manufacturer for the rated Wh and confirm the airline’s documentation requirements before packing it.
Does this calculator cover smart luggage, mobility aids, or medical devices?
No. Those items can have special removal, approval, documentation, or exception rules. Use the exact airline and regulator guidance for that equipment.