TSA wait times

Seattle-Tacoma International

MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026

Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash

Seattle Airport (SEA) Security Wait Times

Security at Seattle (SEA) is busiest from 6 to 11 am and quietest after 10 pm on a typical Thursday, based on TSA checkpoint counts for the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026.

Typical Sunday, 9–10 am · SEA time

BUSY

100% of SEA's busiest hour

MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026

SEA's official live wait times

SEA security lines by hour

How busy SEA's checkpoints typically are in each hour, as a share of the airport's busiest hour (median of the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026). Busy is above 70%, Moderate 40–70%, Quiet below 40%. Hours are SEA local time.

SEA security by hour on Sundays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 9% of peak, Quiet4a: 43% of peak, Moderate5a: 64% of peak, Moderate6a: 83% of peak, Busy7a: 89% of peak, Busy8a: 90% of peak, Busy9a: 100% of peak, Busy10a: 93% of peak, Busy11a: 82% of peak, Busy12p: 70% of peak, Moderate1p: 70% of peak, Moderate2p: 74% of peak, Busy3p: 67% of peak, Moderate4p: 65% of peak, Moderate5p: 60% of peak, Moderate6p: 58% of peak, Moderate7p: 49% of peak, Moderate8p: 39% of peak, Quiet9p: 42% of peak, Moderate10p: 26% of peak, Quiet11p: 7% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Sunday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am481%Quiet
1–2 am261%Quiet
2–3 am671%Quiet
3–4 am4439%Quiet
4–5 am2,03643%Moderate
5–6 am3,06264%Moderate
6–7 am3,96183%Busy
7–8 am4,23189%Busy
8–9 am4,31890%Busy
9–10 am4,780100%Busy
10–11 am4,42793%Busy
11 am–noon3,92682%Busy
noon–1 pm3,35370%Moderate
1–2 pm3,32370%Moderate
2–3 pm3,53274%Busy
3–4 pm3,18467%Moderate
4–5 pm3,08965%Moderate
5–6 pm2,85060%Moderate
6–7 pm2,78758%Moderate
7–8 pm2,32349%Moderate
8–9 pm1,85239%Quiet
9–10 pm2,00742%Moderate
10–11 pm1,25026%Quiet
11 pm–midnight3587%Quiet

SEA security by hour on Mondays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 8% of peak, Quiet4a: 48% of peak, Moderate5a: 75% of peak, Busy6a: 95% of peak, Busy7a: 99% of peak, Busy8a: 94% of peak, Busy9a: 92% of peak, Busy10a: 89% of peak, Busy11a: 81% of peak, Busy12p: 64% of peak, Moderate1p: 62% of peak, Moderate2p: 65% of peak, Moderate3p: 62% of peak, Moderate4p: 61% of peak, Moderate5p: 53% of peak, Moderate6p: 45% of peak, Moderate7p: 38% of peak, Quiet8p: 33% of peak, Quiet9p: 29% of peak, Quiet10p: 21% of peak, Quiet11p: 6% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Monday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am611%Quiet
1–2 am331%Quiet
2–3 am511%Quiet
3–4 am3858%Quiet
4–5 am2,31048%Moderate
5–6 am3,56875%Busy
6–7 am4,55195%Busy
7–8 am4,73699%Busy
8–9 am4,48994%Busy
9–10 am4,37692%Busy
10–11 am4,23789%Busy
11 am–noon3,86981%Busy
noon–1 pm3,08264%Moderate
1–2 pm2,98462%Moderate
2–3 pm3,09465%Moderate
3–4 pm2,98762%Moderate
4–5 pm2,93561%Moderate
5–6 pm2,52953%Moderate
6–7 pm2,13645%Moderate
7–8 pm1,82138%Quiet
8–9 pm1,58733%Quiet
9–10 pm1,39329%Quiet
10–11 pm98621%Quiet
11 pm–midnight2826%Quiet

SEA security by hour on Tuesdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 7% of peak, Quiet4a: 39% of peak, Quiet5a: 60% of peak, Moderate6a: 79% of peak, Busy7a: 83% of peak, Busy8a: 80% of peak, Busy9a: 79% of peak, Busy10a: 77% of peak, Busy11a: 64% of peak, Moderate12p: 62% of peak, Moderate1p: 56% of peak, Moderate2p: 53% of peak, Moderate3p: 49% of peak, Moderate4p: 47% of peak, Moderate5p: 41% of peak, Moderate6p: 33% of peak, Quiet7p: 28% of peak, Quiet8p: 25% of peak, Quiet9p: 26% of peak, Quiet10p: 19% of peak, Quiet11p: 8% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Tuesday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am471%Quiet
1–2 am321%Quiet
2–3 am581%Quiet
3–4 am3237%Quiet
4–5 am1,87939%Quiet
5–6 am2,88460%Moderate
6–7 am3,79679%Busy
7–8 am3,97883%Busy
8–9 am3,81480%Busy
9–10 am3,79079%Busy
10–11 am3,69777%Busy
11 am–noon3,07764%Moderate
noon–1 pm2,98762%Moderate
1–2 pm2,67356%Moderate
2–3 pm2,53853%Moderate
3–4 pm2,34649%Moderate
4–5 pm2,24947%Moderate
5–6 pm1,94341%Moderate
6–7 pm1,58633%Quiet
7–8 pm1,35728%Quiet
8–9 pm1,18625%Quiet
9–10 pm1,24226%Quiet
10–11 pm92519%Quiet
11 pm–midnight3888%Quiet

SEA security by hour on Wednesdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 0% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 7% of peak, Quiet4a: 42% of peak, Moderate5a: 65% of peak, Moderate6a: 81% of peak, Busy7a: 83% of peak, Busy8a: 78% of peak, Busy9a: 79% of peak, Busy10a: 83% of peak, Busy11a: 73% of peak, Busy12p: 57% of peak, Moderate1p: 60% of peak, Moderate2p: 61% of peak, Moderate3p: 53% of peak, Moderate4p: 58% of peak, Moderate5p: 44% of peak, Moderate6p: 37% of peak, Quiet7p: 35% of peak, Quiet8p: 25% of peak, Quiet9p: 30% of peak, Quiet10p: 18% of peak, Quiet11p: 6% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Wednesday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am611%Quiet
1–2 am200%Quiet
2–3 am481%Quiet
3–4 am3317%Quiet
4–5 am2,00042%Moderate
5–6 am3,08565%Moderate
6–7 am3,85981%Busy
7–8 am3,95683%Busy
8–9 am3,73478%Busy
9–10 am3,77079%Busy
10–11 am3,96283%Busy
11 am–noon3,47173%Busy
noon–1 pm2,70857%Moderate
1–2 pm2,86360%Moderate
2–3 pm2,93161%Moderate
3–4 pm2,54853%Moderate
4–5 pm2,75558%Moderate
5–6 pm2,11144%Moderate
6–7 pm1,78237%Quiet
7–8 pm1,69235%Quiet
8–9 pm1,21425%Quiet
9–10 pm1,41630%Quiet
10–11 pm85918%Quiet
11 pm–midnight2746%Quiet

SEA security by hour on Thursdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 1% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 8% of peak, Quiet4a: 47% of peak, Moderate5a: 68% of peak, Moderate6a: 90% of peak, Busy7a: 97% of peak, Busy8a: 86% of peak, Busy9a: 89% of peak, Busy10a: 94% of peak, Busy11a: 75% of peak, Busy12p: 69% of peak, Moderate1p: 66% of peak, Moderate2p: 69% of peak, Moderate3p: 73% of peak, Busy4p: 74% of peak, Busy5p: 57% of peak, Moderate6p: 58% of peak, Moderate7p: 53% of peak, Moderate8p: 44% of peak, Moderate9p: 46% of peak, Moderate10p: 25% of peak, Quiet11p: 10% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Thursday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am351%Quiet
1–2 am241%Quiet
2–3 am561%Quiet
3–4 am3758%Quiet
4–5 am2,23447%Moderate
5–6 am3,26868%Moderate
6–7 am4,31890%Busy
7–8 am4,62797%Busy
8–9 am4,13486%Busy
9–10 am4,26989%Busy
10–11 am4,49994%Busy
11 am–noon3,59875%Busy
noon–1 pm3,27969%Moderate
1–2 pm3,14066%Moderate
2–3 pm3,30669%Moderate
3–4 pm3,50473%Busy
4–5 pm3,55574%Busy
5–6 pm2,74257%Moderate
6–7 pm2,77458%Moderate
7–8 pm2,54153%Moderate
8–9 pm2,11444%Moderate
9–10 pm2,18446%Moderate
10–11 pm1,18025%Quiet
11 pm–midnight49910%Quiet

SEA security by hour on Fridays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 0% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 8% of peak, Quiet4a: 49% of peak, Moderate5a: 75% of peak, Busy6a: 97% of peak, Busy7a: 100% of peak, Busy8a: 88% of peak, Busy9a: 94% of peak, Busy10a: 89% of peak, Busy11a: 81% of peak, Busy12p: 61% of peak, Moderate1p: 64% of peak, Moderate2p: 69% of peak, Moderate3p: 68% of peak, Moderate4p: 62% of peak, Moderate5p: 53% of peak, Moderate6p: 49% of peak, Moderate7p: 43% of peak, Moderate8p: 33% of peak, Quiet9p: 37% of peak, Quiet10p: 19% of peak, Quiet11p: 7% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Friday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am381%Quiet
1–2 am210%Quiet
2–3 am541%Quiet
3–4 am3818%Quiet
4–5 am2,35649%Moderate
5–6 am3,60175%Busy
6–7 am4,63997%Busy
7–8 am4,778100%Busy
8–9 am4,21188%Busy
9–10 am4,47894%Busy
10–11 am4,26989%Busy
11 am–noon3,88681%Busy
noon–1 pm2,90461%Moderate
1–2 pm3,08264%Moderate
2–3 pm3,29369%Moderate
3–4 pm3,25868%Moderate
4–5 pm2,94762%Moderate
5–6 pm2,52053%Moderate
6–7 pm2,35949%Moderate
7–8 pm2,04143%Moderate
8–9 pm1,59833%Quiet
9–10 pm1,75737%Quiet
10–11 pm93019%Quiet
11 pm–midnight3187%Quiet

SEA security by hour on Saturdays

12a: 1% of peak, Quiet1a: 0% of peak, Quiet2a: 1% of peak, Quiet3a: 8% of peak, Quiet4a: 40% of peak, Moderate5a: 59% of peak, Moderate6a: 83% of peak, Busy7a: 83% of peak, Busy8a: 83% of peak, Busy9a: 82% of peak, Busy10a: 86% of peak, Busy11a: 72% of peak, Busy12p: 52% of peak, Moderate1p: 55% of peak, Moderate2p: 49% of peak, Moderate3p: 44% of peak, Moderate4p: 41% of peak, Moderate5p: 33% of peak, Quiet6p: 31% of peak, Quiet7p: 30% of peak, Quiet8p: 24% of peak, Quiet9p: 27% of peak, Quiet10p: 20% of peak, Quiet11p: 5% of peak, Quiet12a3a6a9a12p3p6p9p
SEA · typical Saturday · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
HourPeople screened% of peakLevel
midnight–1 am461%Quiet
1–2 am200%Quiet
2–3 am511%Quiet
3–4 am3678%Quiet
4–5 am1,90640%Moderate
5–6 am2,81059%Moderate
6–7 am3,97683%Busy
7–8 am3,99183%Busy
8–9 am3,97583%Busy
9–10 am3,93082%Busy
10–11 am4,12786%Busy
11 am–noon3,46172%Busy
noon–1 pm2,50952%Moderate
1–2 pm2,64555%Moderate
2–3 pm2,34649%Moderate
3–4 pm2,09744%Moderate
4–5 pm1,95841%Moderate
5–6 pm1,56233%Quiet
6–7 pm1,47331%Quiet
7–8 pm1,41130%Quiet
8–9 pm1,16124%Quiet
9–10 pm1,28627%Quiet
10–11 pm93920%Quiet
11 pm–midnight2555%Quiet

Best and worst times to go through security at SEA

The three busiest and three quietest hours for each part of the week. Quiet hours count only daytime hours (5 am to 11 pm) when screening is running.

SEA · MODELED FROM TSA THROUGHPUT · 8 WEEKS TO NOV 7, 2026
DaysBusiestQuietest
Monday to Thursday6–8 am (91%)10–11 am (86%)8–11 pm (21%)
Friday6–8 am (100%)9–10 am (94%)8–11 pm (19%)
Saturday6–8 am (83%)10–11 am (86%)8–11 pm (20%)
Sunday8–11 am (100%)8–11 pm (26%)

SEA security checkpoints and hours

TSA's counts list 7 checkpoints at SEA. Posted hours come from the airport and carry the date we checked them. "Screening seen" is the span of hours in which TSA counted at least a few passengers on a typical day, not posted opening hours. Checkpoint names in plain type are TSA's own labels.

SEA checkpoints · TSA counts Sep 13, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 · facts checked Nov 2026
CheckpointWhereLanesHoursTypical busiest hourShare
Checkpoint 3Nearest A and S gatesPreCheck4 am to 11:30 pm (PreCheck 4 am to 8 pm)10–11 am26%
Checkpoint 6Nearest C, D and N gatesPreCheckCLEAR4 am to 10 pm6–7 am23%
Checkpoint 4Nearest Central Terminal, B and C gatesNo PreCheck listedOpen 24 hours9–10 am18%
Checkpoint 5Nearest C, D and N gatesPreCheck4 am to 8 pm7–8 am13%
Checkpoint 1Nearest A and S gatesPreCheckCLEAR4 am to 8 pm10–11 am11%
SCP IAF——Screening seen 6 am to 10 pm1–2 pm5%
Checkpoint 2Nearest A and S gatesNo PreCheck listed4 am to noon10–11 am4%

The airport says travelers can reach all gates from any checkpoint. Source.

SEA checkpoint layout

Checkpoints grouped by terminal, as the airport lists them. Each box shows how busy that checkpoint typically is at the hour, against its own busiest hour (median of the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026). It is a list, not a map: the airport does not publish checkpoint coordinates.

Nearest A and S gates

  • Checkpoint 3PreCheckBusySunday, 9–10 am
  • Checkpoint 1PreCheckCLEARBusySunday, 9–10 am
  • Checkpoint 2No PreCheck listedBusySunday, 9–10 am

Nearest C, D and N gates

  • Checkpoint 6PreCheckCLEARBusySunday, 9–10 am
  • Checkpoint 5PreCheckBusySunday, 9–10 am

Nearest Central Terminal, B and C gates

  • Checkpoint 4No PreCheck listedBusySunday, 9–10 am

How early should I get to SEA?

Our rule of thumb starts from 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, then adjusts for how busy SEA's checkpoints typically are at the hour you will reach them. Set your flight below.

Flight
Options
For SEA, Thursday 10:00 am, domestic, checked bagGet to SEA by 7:40 amLeave by 7:10 am · 140 min before departure
  • Domestic flight120 min
  • Security busy at that hour+20 min

Our own rule of thumb, not a TSA rule: 2 hours for domestic and 3 for international, -15 min with no checked bag, -15 with PreCheck, +20 if you are parking, then -15 / +0 / +20 min when security is typically quiet, moderate or busy at the hour you reach it. Always check your airline's bag-drop and boarding cut-offs.

SEA arrival times on a typical Thursday

SEA · Thursday · checked bag, no PreCheck · our rule of thumb
DepartureSecurity at that hourDomestic: arrive byInternational: arrive by
6 amModerate4:00 am (120 min)3:15 am (165 min)
8 amModerate6:00 am (120 min)5:00 am (180 min)
10 amBusy7:40 am (140 min)6:40 am (200 min)
noonBusy9:40 am (140 min)8:40 am (200 min)
3 pmModerate1:00 pm (120 min)12:00 pm (180 min)
6 pmBusy3:40 pm (140 min)3:00 pm (180 min)
9 pmModerate7:00 pm (120 min)6:00 pm (180 min)

The level is read at the hour you would reach security, so a flight's own departure hour can differ. More on the rules and every airport: how early to arrive at the airport.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at SEA

  • Checkpoint 3 (Nearest A and S gates): TSA PreCheck. Source.
  • Checkpoint 6 (Nearest C, D and N gates): TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. Source.
  • Checkpoint 5 (Nearest C, D and N gates): TSA PreCheck. Source.
  • Checkpoint 1 (Nearest A and S gates): TSA PreCheck and CLEAR. Source.

Lanes as listed on SEA's own website, checked Nov 2026; checkpoints not listed here have no lane information yet. TSA's counts do not split PreCheck from standard lanes. See PreCheck wait times and CLEAR vs PreCheck.

SEA security FAQ

What is the busiest time for security at SEA?

On a typical Thursday, SEA's checkpoints are busiest from 6 to 11 am. The single busiest hour in the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026 was 9–10 am on Sundays, with a median of 4,780 people screened.

What is the best time to go through security at SEA?

Saturday is the quietest day overall. On Thursdays, the quietest daytime window is 8–11 pm.

How early should I get to SEA?

Our rule of thumb starts at 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one, then adds 20 minutes when security is typically busy at the hour you arrive and takes off 15 when it is quiet. For a 10 am domestic flight on a Thursday with a checked bag, that means getting to SEA by 7:40 am.

How many security checkpoints does SEA have?

TSA's checkpoint counts list 7 screening checkpoints at SEA in the 8 weeks to Nov 7, 2026. The busiest, Checkpoint 3, screens about 26% of SEA's passengers.

Sources for SEA

  • Hourly passengers: TSA throughput counts (FOIA reading room), weeks of Sep 13, 2026, Sep 20, 2026, Sep 27, 2026, Oct 4, 2026, Oct 11, 2026, Oct 18, 2026, Oct 25, 2026, Nov 1, 2026. Median of 8 weeks, holiday weeks left out.
  • Official wait page: www.portseattle.org/page/live-estimated-checkpoint-wait-times, checked Nov 2026.
  • Checkpoint facts: airport website, checked Nov 2026. Each checkpoint name links to its source.
  • How the levels are built: methodology. TSA Wait Checker is not affiliated with TSA or Seattle-Tacoma International.

TSA wait times at other airports

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