Charlotte · CLT
CLT TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~2 min
- Average~10 min
- QuietestTuesday around 11 PM
- BusiestFriday around 6 AM
CLT TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Concourse A: Checkpoint A — TSA PreCheck
- Concourse B: Checkpoint B — TSA PreCheck
- Concourse C: Checkpoint C
- Concourse D: Checkpoint D — TSA PreCheck
- Concourse E: Checkpoint E — newest checkpoint, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
Look Up CLT Wait Times for Any Day & Time
CLT TSA Wait Time Heatmap — Minutes by Day & Hour
Standard-lane estimates in minutes. <5 5–11 12–21 22+
| Hour | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 AM | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 6 |
| 5 AM | 18 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 18 | 13 |
| 6 AM | 17 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 17 |
| 7 AM | 18 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 19 | 13 |
| 8 AM | 11 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 |
| 9 AM | 11 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| 10 AM | 9 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| 11 AM | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 12 PM | 11 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 |
| 1 PM | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| 2 PM | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| 3 PM | 11 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| 4 PM | 13 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 11 |
| 5 PM | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 13 |
| 6 PM | 15 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 |
| 7 PM | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| 8 PM | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| 9 PM | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| 10 PM | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 11 PM | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
How to Get Through CLT Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at CLT is tuesday around 11 pm. Avoid friday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at CLT are typically a fraction of standard. CLEAR skips the ID-check line entirely.
- Pack smart. Check our TSA Packing Guide to avoid delays from prohibited items. Have laptops and liquids easily accessible.
- Use mobile boarding passes and have your ID ready before reaching the checkpoint. This alone can save 2–5 minutes.
- Check live conditions on the MyTSA app ↗ and FAA delay map ↗.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical TSA wait times at CLT?
Standard screening at Charlotte Douglas International Airport averages ~10 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 21+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at CLT?
The shortest lines are tuesday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is CLT security busiest?
The busiest window is friday around 6 am, with waits around 21 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does CLT have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. Charlotte Douglas International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does CLT have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including CLT offer CLEAR expedited identity verification. CLEAR members skip to the front of the document-check line, then proceed through standard or PreCheck physical screening.
How accurate are these CLT wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.