Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on Southwest Airlines?
Allowed, with conditions
Short answer: Yes, in carry-on bags only, with battery capacity up to 100 Wh and number of items up to 20 (reviewed 2026-10-27).
Short answer: not available right now. Some of the rules below are being rechecked against their official sources, so we do not sum them up. The rules that are still current are listed below; check the official sources before you travel.
This page puts Southwest Airlines' own rules for spare lithium-ion batteries next to the security screening (TSA) and dangerous goods (FAA) rules for flights departing the United States. All of them apply at once when Southwest Airlines operates the flight, and you need to meet every one. Each rule is listed as its official source states it, with the date we last reviewed it.
Most recent review on this page: 2026-10-27.
What Southwest Airlines adds to the TSA and FAA rules
Southwest Airlines policy
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Spare batteries on Southwest: carryon or on your person, up to 20 spare batteries.
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 20
Also note
- Must be in your carryon or on your person.
- Terminals must be protected to prevent short circuits.
- Southwest defines spare batteries as up to 2 removable batteries form-fitted to each personal electronic device.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Other rules for spare lithium-ion battery in a carry-on bag on Southwest Airlines
Security screening (TSA)
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Spare lithium-ion battery rated up to 100 Wh: carry-on bags only.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Airline approval required
Spare lithium-ion battery rated 101-160 Wh: carry-on bags only, with airline approval, up to two per person.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh
- Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 2
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Dangerous goods (FAA)
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Spare lithium-ion battery rated up to 100 Wh: allowed in carry-on baggage.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: up to 100 Wh
Also note
- Must be protected from damage and short circuit.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Airline approval required
Spare lithium-ion battery rated 101-160 Wh: carry-on only, with airline approval, up to two per person.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: at least 101 Wh
- Battery capacity: up to 160 Wh
- Limits
- Number of items: up to 2
Also note
- Must be protected from damage and short circuit.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Not allowed
Spare lithium-ion battery rated over 160 Wh: forbidden.
- Applies when
- Battery capacity: more than 160 Wh
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Other rules for spare lithium-ion battery in a checked bag on Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines policy
Not allowed
Spare lithium batteries on Southwest: not allowed in checked luggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Security screening (TSA)
Not allowed
Spare lithium-ion battery: not allowed in checked bags.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring?. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Dangerous goods (FAA)
Not allowed
Spare lithium-ion battery: not allowed in checked baggage.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Check your own spare lithium-ion battery
The item checker combines these rules for the values of your own item and gives a result for a Southwest Airlines flight. Battery rules use watt-hours (Wh): the Wh calculator works it out from the Wh, or the mAh and rated voltage, printed on the battery.
Related pages
- All spare lithium-ion battery rules (TSA, FAA and every airline)
- All Southwest Airlines rules we have reviewed
- Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on Allegiant Air?
- Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on American Airlines?
- Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on Breeze Airways?
- Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on Delta Air Lines?
- Can you bring spare lithium-ion batteries on JetBlue Airways?
Official sources
- FAA: Airline Passengers and Batteries (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- Southwest Airlines: Traveling with Lithium Batteries, Chargers, E-Cigs & Lighters (source checked on 2026-10-01)
- TSA: What Can I Bring? (source checked on 2026-10-01)
This page lists rules as the official sources state them, for travel departing the United States. It is not a decision about your item: security officers and your airline make the final call, and rules can change after the review dates shown. Destination customs and quarantine rules are not checked. See the terms and disclaimer.