San Francisco · SFO
SFO TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at San Francisco International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~3 min
- Average~14 min
- QuietestTuesday around 11 PM
- BusiestFriday around 6 AM
SFO TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Terminal 1 (Boarding Areas B & C): Terminal 1 Checkpoint near Boarding Area B — TSA PreCheck available
- Terminal 2: Terminal 2 Checkpoint — recheck point if connecting from International Terminal
- Terminal 3 (Boarding Areas E & F): Terminal 3 Checkpoint — multiple lanes, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
- International Terminal (Boarding Areas A & G): International Terminal Security Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck and CLEAR available
Look Up SFO Wait Times for Any Day & Time
SFO 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 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 9 |
| 5 AM | 23 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 27 | 20 |
| 6 AM | 25 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 35 | 25 |
| 7 AM | 22 | 23 | 15 | 17 | 21 | 23 | 20 |
| 8 AM | 19 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 20 | 16 |
| 9 AM | 14 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
| 10 AM | 13 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 9 |
| 11 AM | 14 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 14 |
| 12 PM | 17 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 |
| 1 PM | 15 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 17 | 14 |
| 2 PM | 18 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 16 | 19 | 14 |
| 3 PM | 18 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 14 |
| 4 PM | 19 | 19 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 |
| 5 PM | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 27 | 19 |
| 6 PM | 17 | 21 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 |
| 7 PM | 12 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 11 |
| 8 PM | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 |
| 9 PM | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 10 PM | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| 11 PM | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
How to Get Through SFO Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at SFO is tuesday around 11 pm. Avoid friday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at SFO 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 SFO?
Standard screening at San Francisco International Airport averages ~14 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 35+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at SFO?
The shortest lines are tuesday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is SFO security busiest?
The busiest window is friday around 6 am, with waits around 35 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does SFO have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. San Francisco International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does SFO have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including SFO 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 SFO wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.