Chicago O'Hare · ORD
ORD TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at O'Hare International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~2 min
- Average~9 min
- QuietestTuesday around 11 PM
- BusiestSunday around 6 AM
ORD TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Terminal 1 (Concourses B & C): Terminal 1 Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck lanes at Concourse B and C entries
- Terminal 2 (Concourses E & F): Terminal 2 Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck available
- Terminal 3 (Concourses G, H, K, L): Terminal 3 Checkpoint — multiple lanes, TSA PreCheck available
- Terminal 5 (International): Terminal 5 Security Checkpoint — international screening and re-clearance for connections
Look Up ORD Wait Times for Any Day & Time
ORD 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 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| 5 AM | 14 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 13 |
| 6 AM | 20 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 7 AM | 16 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 12 |
| 8 AM | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 |
| 9 AM | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| 10 AM | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 11 AM | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| 12 PM | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| 1 PM | 12 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
| 2 PM | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| 3 PM | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 10 |
| 4 PM | 13 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 11 |
| 5 PM | 13 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 10 |
| 6 PM | 12 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 8 |
| 7 PM | 11 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 8 PM | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| 9 PM | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| 10 PM | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| 11 PM | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
How to Get Through ORD Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at ORD is tuesday around 11 pm. Avoid sunday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at ORD 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 ORD?
Standard screening at O'Hare International Airport averages ~9 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 20+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at ORD?
The shortest lines are tuesday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is ORD security busiest?
The busiest window is sunday around 6 am, with waits around 20 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does ORD have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. O'Hare International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does ORD have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including ORD 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 ORD wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.