O'Hare International Airport (ORD) TSA Wait Times
Security Snapshot
The best times to clear security at ORD are usually early morning or late evening.
Peak waits can reach 33 minutes on Mondays around 1 PM. 21 lower-wait time slots appear in the historical data below.
- Peak wait
- 33 min
- Best signal
- Early AM / late PM
- Quiet slots
- 21
- Data type
- Live estimate + historical
Useful pages for this airport
- ORD Arrival GuidePlan how early to arrive for domestic and international flights.
- ORD Immigration Wait TimesCheck customs and CBP processing times for international arrivals.
- ORD Airport MapFind terminals, gates, security, and pickup before you travel.
- ORD Terminal GuideOpen the right terminal before you head to the airport.
Compare historical checkpoint patterns at O'Hare 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
5 min
ORD local time: Thursday at 1 AM
Peak Wait Time
33 min
Mondays at 1 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
5 min
Morning Wait Times (AM)
| Hour | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 AM | 25m | 6m | 3m | 5m | 8m | 29m | 8m |
| 1 AM | 2m | 1m | 3m | 5m | 2m | 3m | 2m |
| 2 AM | 1m | 1m | 1m | 1m | 1m | 1m | 3m |
| 3 AM | 29m | 25m | 25m | 25m | 28m | 28m | 25m |
| 4 AM | 27m | 22m | 19m | 28m | 29m | 29m | 15m |
| 5 AM | 27m | 20m | 16m | 20m | 20m | 27m | 10m |
| 6 AM | 32m | 25m | 18m | 22m | 22m | 26m | 23m |
| 7 AM | 26m | 25m | 14m | 9m | 16m | 27m | 27m |
| 8 AM | 15m | 21m | 10m | 18m | 15m | 29m | 25m |
| 9 AM | 20m | 11m | 15m | 19m | 15m | 20m | 20m |
| 10 AM | 25m | 8m | 18m | 15m | 12m | 18m | 9m |
| 11 AM | 15m | 8m | 11m | 10m | 12m | 10m | 8m |
Afternoon & Evening Wait Times (PM)
| Hour | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 PM | 22m | 12m | 16m | 17m | 18m | 17m | 27m |
| 1 PM | 33m | 18m | 17m | 18m | 28m | 26m | 22m |
| 2 PM | 25m | 15m | 19m | 25m | 33m | 29m | 23m |
| 3 PM | 22m | 28m | 16m | 19m | 25m | 25m | 21m |
| 4 PM | 12m | 14m | 15m | 16m | 28m | 27m | 25m |
| 5 PM | 18m | 12m | 12m | 23m | 21m | 20m | 24m |
| 6 PM | 18m | 15m | 15m | 22m | 29m | 21m | 25m |
| 7 PM | 18m | 16m | 16m | 26m | 29m | 24m | 29m |
| 8 PM | 19m | 20m | 12m | 29m | 29m | 16m | 27m |
| 9 PM | 5m | 10m | 5m | 10m | 11m | 5m | 21m |
| 10 PM | 7m | 5m | 6m | 7m | 5m | 10m | 17m |
| 11 PM | 10m | 8m | 10m | 15m | 14m | 14m | 29m |
Wait Time Legend
Tips for ORD 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
ORD TSA Wait Times FAQ
How long are TSA wait times at O'Hare International Airport?
This page shows a live TSA wait time at ORD. Peak waits can reach 33 minutes on Mondays around 1 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 ORD?
The best times to go through TSA security at ORD are typically early morning (before 6 AM) and late evening. Our data shows 21 time slots with wait times under 5 minutes. Avoid Mondays around 1 PM when waits are longest.
Can I check TSA wait times for a specific day and time at ORD?
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 ORD?
TSA PreCheck can significantly reduce your wait time at O'Hare 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 ORD airport?
For domestic flights at O'Hare International Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During peak times (like Mondays at 1 PM), consider arriving even earlier as waits can exceed 33 minutes.
Official Travel Resources
10 verified external links from airport operators and U.S. agencies.