Denver · DEN
DEN TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at Denver International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~2 min
- Average~13 min
- QuietestTuesday around 10 PM
- BusiestSaturday around 6 AM
DEN TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Jeppesen Terminal (Main Terminal): North and South Bridge Security Checkpoints — TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at both
- Concourse A: Via Jeppesen Terminal checkpoint, then underground train to Concourse A
- Concourse B: Via Jeppesen Terminal checkpoint, then underground train to Concourse B
- Concourse C: Via Jeppesen Terminal checkpoint, then underground train to Concourse C
Look Up DEN Wait Times for Any Day & Time
DEN 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 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 8 |
| 5 AM | 23 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 20 |
| 6 AM | 24 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 22 | 26 |
| 7 AM | 22 | 22 | 16 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 19 |
| 8 AM | 18 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 18 | 12 |
| 9 AM | 14 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| 10 AM | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 9 |
| 11 AM | 13 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| 12 PM | 15 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| 1 PM | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 19 | 12 |
| 2 PM | 17 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 19 | 15 |
| 3 PM | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 12 |
| 4 PM | 21 | 19 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 16 |
| 5 PM | 17 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 18 | 17 |
| 6 PM | 21 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 18 | 16 | 12 |
| 7 PM | 13 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| 8 PM | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| 9 PM | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 |
| 10 PM | 7 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 11 PM | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
How to Get Through DEN Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at DEN is tuesday around 10 pm. Avoid saturday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at DEN 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 DEN?
Standard screening at Denver International Airport averages ~13 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 26+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at DEN?
The shortest lines are tuesday around 10 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is DEN security busiest?
The busiest window is saturday around 6 am, with waits around 26 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does DEN have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. Denver International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does DEN have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including DEN 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 DEN wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.