Can I bring a multitool on a plane?

The answer, in one line

It depends on what’s in it. Any multitool that includes a knife blade of any length is prohibited in your carry-on — it must go in checked baggage. A multitool with no blade, or one whose only cutting tool is scissors shorter than 4 inches, may go in carry-on. When in doubt, check it: a confiscated multitool is gone for good.

Which bag should it go in?

Your multitool	Best bag	Why
Has a knife blade (any length)	Checked only	Blades of any size are prohibited in the cabin
Scissors-only, blades under 4 in from pivot	Carry-on allowed	Meets the TSA scissors exemption
Scissors-only, blades 4 in or longer from pivot	Checked only	Exceeds the scissors length limit
No blade, no scissors (pliers, screwdriver bits only)	Carry-on	No prohibited tool present
Unsure what’s inside	Checked	Officers will pull it; not worth the risk

If your multitool has a knife — and most do — put it in checked baggage and stop thinking about it.

Carrying it on: what actually happens

At the checkpoint, a multitool shows up clearly on X-ray. Officers are trained to identify blade shapes, and a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife profile is one of the most recognizable silhouettes they see. If you try to bring a bladed multitool through, it will almost certainly be caught and you will be given a choice: hand it over, go check a bag, or miss your flight. They do not mail it back to you.

A scissors-only multitool that clears the rules goes through in your bag — you don’t need to take it out. If an officer can’t confirm the blade situation from the screen, they will open your bag for a physical check. Having it accessible and ready to show helps.

At the gate and in the bin, a compliant multitool raises no issues. Airline staff don’t inspect tools once you’re past security.

Packing it in a checked bag

Wrap the multitool or sheath it before packing. This is a written requirement for sharp objects in checked bags: they must be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. A folded multitool with the blade locked closed is the minimum; wrapping it in a small cloth pouch or keeping it in its original case is better. Do not pack it loose at the top of an unorganized bag — handlers reach in without knowing what’s there.

Situations people ask about

Swiss Army Knife — most models have at least one blade, so they go in checked bags only. A few models are sold without a blade (scissors and tools only); those may qualify for carry-on if the scissors are under 4 inches, but confirm what your specific model includes before you pack it.

Leatherman, Gerber, or similar plier-based multitools — virtually every mainstream model includes a knife blade. Checked bag only. The rule doesn’t distinguish by brand.

Multitool with scissors but no knife — allowed in carry-on if the scissors blades measure less than 4 inches from the pivot point. Measure from the screw, not the tip of the handle.

Damaged or broken multitool with a blade snapped off — the rule doesn’t address this specifically. A broken blade can still be sharp and will still flag on X-ray. Check it rather than argue at the lane.

International travel — rules outside the US vary. Many countries ban all multitools from the cabin regardless of blade length. The rule above applies to US domestic flights and US-origin international flights at the departure checkpoint; arriving into another country’s airport, you are subject to their rules.

Quantity — the rule doesn’t set a limit on how many compliant (bladeless or scissors-under-4-in) multitools you carry. In checked bags, quantity is not restricted either. Practically, packing five multitools in checked baggage draws no extra scrutiny.

FAQ

Can I bring a Leatherman in my carry-on?

No. Every standard Leatherman multitool includes a knife blade, which is prohibited in the cabin regardless of length. Pack it in your checked bag, sheathed or wrapped.

What if I remove the blade from my multitool before flying?

The rule doesn’t address modified tools, and an X-ray officer has no way to verify on the spot that a blade has been permanently removed. Check it anyway — the risk of losing a $60–$150 tool is not worth it.

Are multitools with only scissors and pliers allowed in carry-on?

Yes, if the scissors blades are under 4 inches from the pivot point. Pliers, screwdrivers, and similar non-blade tools are not themselves prohibited. Measure the scissors before you leave home.

Can I bring a multitool in my checked bag on an international flight?

Yes, in the checked bag. Sharp objects must be sheathed or wrapped. Restrictions on the destination country’s security screening apply when you transfer or arrive, so check those rules separately for connecting flights through foreign airports.

The rule behind the answer

This is the part you can skip if you just needed the answer above.

TSA. The “What Can I Bring?” entry for multi-tools states: Carry On Bags: Yes (Special Instructions). Checked Bags: Yes. The special instructions read: “In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with knives of any length are prohibited. Please pack these items in your checked bags. Multi-tools (multipurpose tools) with scissors less than 4 inches may be placed in carry-on bags. Any sharp objects in checked bags should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.”

FAA. Multitools contain no component regulated as a dangerous good under FAA PackSafe — no pressurized gas, flammable liquid, or lithium battery — so PackSafe adds nothing here.

Airline policy. No US carrier maintains a multitool policy stricter than TSA; what TSA clears at the checkpoint is what you board with. Airlines don’t inspect tools at the gate.

International differences. Many foreign aviation authorities prohibit all cutting tools from the cabin, with no scissors exemption equivalent to the US one. If you’re connecting through a non-US airport or departing from one, check that country’s prohibited-items list. The European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia each publish their own restricted-items rules.

Officer discretion. A screener may refer any item for additional screening or make a judgment call on ambiguous tools. The four-inch scissors rule is measured from the pivot point, and officers may measure or estimate; a tool near the limit may be refused even if it technically qualifies.

Sources & verification

Last checked: September 2026. Every claim above was checked against these primary sources.

1. TSA — Multi-tools: carry-on Yes (special instructions), checked Yes. tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/multi-tools
2. FAA PackSafe — passenger dangerous-goods reference; no entry for multitools. faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe

Related rules: Sharp objects & tools · Scissors · Nail clippers · Tweezers · Umbrellas