Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) TSA Wait Times
Security Snapshot
The best times to clear security at LAX are usually early morning or late evening.
Peak waits can reach 26 minutes on Sundays around 2 PM. 21 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.
- Peak wait
- 26 min
- Best signal
- Early AM / late PM
- Quiet slots
- 21
- Data type
- Live estimate + historical
Useful pages for this airport
- LAX Arrival GuidePlan how early to arrive for domestic and international flights.
- LAX Immigration Wait TimesCheck customs and CBP processing times for international arrivals.
- LAX Airport MapFind terminals, gates, security, and pickup before you travel.
- LAX Terminal GuideOpen the right terminal before you head to the airport.
Compare historical checkpoint patterns at Los Angeles International Airport by day and hour to find the quietest window for your flight. 21 lower-wait time slots stand out in the current dataset.
Estimated Wait Right Now
8 min
LAX local time: Wednesday at 11 PM
Peak Wait Time
26 min
Sundays at 2 PM
Best Times to Go
Under 5 minutes
21 time slots with minimal wait
TSA Wait Time Lookup Tool
Check estimated wait times for any day and hour. The "Estimated Wait Right Now" card above shows current conditions.
Estimated wait for selection
8 min
Morning Wait Times (AM)
| Hour | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 AM | 8m | 4m | 5m | 3m | 5m | 5m | 5m |
| 1 AM | 3m | 2m | 1m | 2m | 2m | 3m | 1m |
| 2 AM | 2m | 1m | 1m | 2m | 4m | 3m | 4m |
| 3 AM | 8m | 8m | 10m | 8m | 9m | 7m | 4m |
| 4 AM | 8m | 7m | 11m | 9m | 9m | 9m | 10m |
| 5 AM | 9m | 10m | 9m | 7m | 11m | 9m | 14m |
| 6 AM | 14m | 12m | 12m | 12m | 11m | 10m | 12m |
| 7 AM | 15m | 15m | 20m | 14m | 15m | 16m | 13m |
| 8 AM | 19m | 11m | 16m | 18m | 19m | 14m | 15m |
| 9 AM | 18m | 14m | 16m | 13m | 19m | 23m | 11m |
| 10 AM | 11m | 15m | 19m | 10m | 18m | 18m | 16m |
| 11 AM | 17m | 18m | 18m | 21m | 15m | 10m | 15m |
Afternoon & Evening Wait Times (PM)
| Hour | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 PM | 22m | 10m | 20m | 20m | 17m | 14m | 20m |
| 1 PM | 17m | 15m | 20m | 10m | 9m | 8m | 19m |
| 2 PM | 17m | 10m | 15m | 10m | 13m | 14m | 26m |
| 3 PM | 15m | 19m | 15m | 10m | 10m | 14m | 18m |
| 4 PM | 11m | 8m | 12m | 11m | 9m | 11m | 17m |
| 5 PM | 12m | 6m | 11m | 16m | 11m | 17m | 19m |
| 6 PM | 21m | 6m | 9m | 17m | 15m | 11m | 17m |
| 7 PM | 14m | 8m | 10m | 17m | 10m | 10m | 15m |
| 8 PM | 16m | 9m | 8m | 10m | 9m | 10m | 17m |
| 9 PM | 21m | 17m | 14m | 11m | 13m | 10m | 21m |
| 10 PM | 18m | 15m | 19m | 14m | 12m | 10m | 10m |
| 11 PM | 8m | 9m | 8m | 9m | 10m | 10m | 9m |
Wait Time Legend
Tips for LAX Security
- Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights
- Consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR for expedited screening
- Check peak times above and plan to arrive during lower-traffic periods when possible
- Have your ID and boarding pass ready before reaching the checkpoint
- Remove laptops and liquids from bags if you don't have TSA PreCheck
LAX TSA Wait Times FAQ
How long are TSA wait times at Los Angeles International Airport?
This page shows a live TSA wait time at LAX. Peak waits can reach 26 minutes on Sundays around 2 PM. The best times to go through security are usually early morning or late evening, with 21 time slots showing waits under 5 minutes.
What is the best time to go through security at LAX?
The best times to go through TSA security at LAX are typically early morning (before 6 AM) and late evening. Our data shows 21 time slots with wait times under 5 minutes. Avoid Sundays around 2 PM when waits are longest.
Can I check TSA wait times for a specific day and time at LAX?
Yes. Use the day and time selector in the wait time tool to view the estimated wait for any day-of-week and hour block. The "right now" number above it is the quick view for the current time slot.
Should I get TSA PreCheck for LAX?
TSA PreCheck can significantly reduce your wait time at Los Angeles International Airport. PreCheck members enjoy expedited screening with shorter lines, and don't need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets. If you fly more than twice a year, the $78 fee (valid for 5 years) is usually worth it.
How early should I arrive at LAX airport?
For domestic flights at Los Angeles International Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During peak times (like Sundays at 2 PM), consider arriving even earlier as waits can exceed 26 minutes.
Official Travel Resources
10 verified external links from airport operators and U.S. agencies.