Can You Bring A Pencil Sharpener On A Plane?

Last Updated on April 7, 2023

TSA Pencil Sharpener Rules

The Transportation Security Administration has the job to stop blades being brought on to the plane.

And pencil sharpeners have blades…

Here’s what the TSA website says about packing pencil sharpeners:

Good news!

Even though pencil sharpeners have blades inside the TSA doesn’t consider them large enough to be a threat to security and you can pack them in your hand luggage.

You can also pack pencil sharpeners in checked baggage without restriction.

I dug a little deeper because I know the TSA is very concerned about passengers bringing blades on to flights.

Here was an exchange on Twitter when Kimberly asked about packing a sharpener for her crossword puzzles:

This time the TSA social media team gave a little more information.

Generally, a pencil sharpener is allowed in carry-on bags. Pls note however that even if an item is generally allowed, it may be subject to additional screening if it triggers an alarm during the screening process or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with our checkpoint officers.

@AskTSA on Twitter

So here’s the deal…

Small regular pencil sharpeners can brought through airport security and are not considered dangerous.

But that doesn’t mean you can bring a large blade on the plane just because it’s in the form of a sharpener.

Take this giant pencil sharpener for example:

Okay… it’s actually designed for peeling vegetables but it’s still a pencil sharpener and I’m sure you wouldn’t be able to take it through airport security because the blade is too large and could be a dangerous weapon.

How big is too big?

It’s impossible to say. The TSA officer that inspects your luggage makes the final call.

A small pencil sharpener that sharpeners regular sized pencils is good to go in your carry-on luggage as are your pens and pencils!