SFO TSA Wait Times — SFO
San Francisco International Airport. Live security wait times, updated every 10 minutes.
GateWaitTimes independently measures security waits at SFO, taking a reading every ten minutes around the clock. We have recorded 11,089 readings here since August 25, 2026, drawn from official TSA, airport, and FAA feeds.
Learn more about our data credibility & sources →SFO TSA Wait Times by Hour
This chart shows the average security wait at SFO for every hour of the day, so a taller bar means the line is usually longer at that time. The numbers come from our own readings, which we take every ten minutes around the clock.
The current wait time at SFO is 14 minutes, which is about average for a Friday, when the line usually runs around 11 minutes.
When Should You Leave?
Tap to pick your flight’s departure time
Wait Times by Terminal at SFO
Jump to live security waits for a specific terminal:
TSA PreCheck at SFO
PreCheck lane open right now
The TSA PreCheck lane at SFO is usually the fastest way through security. Travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids packed, so the lane keeps moving even when the standard line backs up. At an airport this size, most major checkpoints run a PreCheck lane for much of the day, though hours still vary by checkpoint.
The status above comes from the same feed as the wait time on this page. GateWaitTimes polls it every 10 minutes, around the clock. If the lane shows closed, standard screening is still open; recheck shortly before you leave in case staffing changes.
How Early Should You Arrive at SFO?
These are general guidelines for San Francisco International Airport. Use the calculator above for a departure time tuned to the current wait, your drive, and whether you have PreCheck. Add time on peak travel mornings, around holidays, and if you're checking a bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the security line at SFO (SFO) right now?
As of the latest measurement, the standard security wait at SFO is about 14 minutes. GateWaitTimes re-measures every 10 minutes, so check the live figure at the top of this page.
How early should I arrive at San Francisco International Airport?
For a large airport, arrive about 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Add time during holiday peaks and early-morning banks.
Does SFO have TSA PreCheck?
Most US airports of this size offer TSA PreCheck lanes at their main checkpoints, though lane hours vary by checkpoint and time of day. Check the checkpoint status on this page for which lanes are reporting, and the TSA site for official PreCheck lane hours.
How often is this wait-time data updated?
GateWaitTimes polls TSA wait-time feeds, FAA airport status, and National Weather Service forecasts every 10 minutes, around the clock, and records every reading.
Is TSA PreCheck open at SFO right now?
Yes — as of the latest reading, a TSA PreCheck lane is open at SFO. GateWaitTimes re-checks every 10 minutes.
About Security at San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) serves San Francisco, CA. It is a large airport with steady passenger volume through most of the day, so the standard lane rarely empties out completely, which shapes how the security line at SFO behaves: expect the longest waits when several departures cluster in the same hour, and much shorter ones in between.
TSA PreCheck status at SFO is tracked live. The PreCheck section above shows whether a lane is open right now. PreCheck lanes usually move faster than standard screening, but they are not staffed at every hour, so check before counting on one.
The number above is a live reading for the standard lane, refreshed every few minutes. Security wait times can change quickly at SFO, so recheck this page shortly before you leave for the airport.
Fun Facts About San Francisco International Airport
- SFO Museum was the first museum accredited inside an airport, with rotating exhibits throughout its terminals.
- Summer fog rolling off the Pacific regularly forces flight delays despite clear skies elsewhere in the Bay Area.
- Its Terminal 1 is named for Harvey Milk, the first US airport terminal honoring an openly gay official.
- SFO's parallel runways sit so close that some paired takeoffs and landings must be carefully coordinated.