If you’re trying to find your TSA number—also known as your Known Traveler Number (KTN)—you’re not alone. Millions of Americans lose track of it after enrolling in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI.
The good news? Your TSA number can be found in several places, and you can recover it even if you forgot your login or lost your documents.

This guide shows every method, including screenshots-style explanations, what to do when your account won’t open, and how to avoid the most common mistakes travelers make at the airport.

✅ What Is a TSA Number (KTN)?

Your TSA number is a 9-digit Known Traveler Number issued to travelers who pass a security background check through a trusted program such as:

TSA PreCheck
Global Entry
NEXUS
SENTRI

When your airline reservation includes this number, you get access to:
✔️ Shorter security lines
✔️ No need to remove shoes, belts, or laptops
✔️ Faster boarding process

If you don’t add your KTN to your flight booking, you will NOT receive TSA PreCheck, even if you’re approved.

⭐ Where to Find Your TSA Number (6 Ways That Always Work)

1. Check Your TSA PreCheck Approval Email

If you enrolled directly in TSA PreCheck (through the Universal Enroll website), your approval email includes:

Your KTN
Expiration date
Enrollment provider (IDEMIA)

📌 Search in your inbox for:
“TSA PreCheck,” “Universal Enroll,” “KTN,” “IDEMIA,” or “Application Approved.”

2. Look It Up Online Through Universal Enroll (TSA PreCheck Only)

If you enrolled via TSA PreCheck (not Global Entry):

Go to the Universal Enroll portal
Click “Check my Service Status”
Enter:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- City of enrollment
The system will show your Known Traveler Number if your identity matches.

👉 This is the fastest recovery method for most travelers.

3. Find It in Your Global Entry / NEXUS / SENTRI Account

If you enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, your TSA number is the PASS ID printed on your membership card.

It appears on the back of the Global Entry card
It also appears inside your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account

To locate it online:

Go to the official TTP website
Sign in with Login.gov
Open your profile
Look for PASS ID — that is your TSA Known Traveler Number

Many U.S. travelers don’t realize this, but your TSA number is NOT your Global Entry card number—it’s specifically the PASSID.

4. Check Your Airline Frequent Flyer Profile

Most U.S. travelers save their KTN in airline loyalty accounts.

Look under:

“Traveler Information”
“Security Information”
“Known Traveler Number (KTN)”

Airlines that store your number include:

Delta SkyMiles
United MileagePlus
American Airlines AAdvantage
Southwest Rapid Rewards
JetBlue TrueBlue
Alaska Mileage Plan

If your KTN is saved there, every booking automatically applies TSA PreCheck.

5. Find It on Past Boarding Passes

Some airlines print your KTN or a TSA PreCheck indicator on old boarding passes.

Look for:

“KTN: XXXXXXXX”
A TSA PreCheck logo
“TSA PRE”

This won’t always show the full number, but it confirms which program you’re using.

6. Contact TSA or CBP (Last Resort Options)

✔️ For TSA PreCheck

Call the TSA enrollment provider (IDEMIA).
They can verify your identity and give you your KTN.

✔️ For Global Entry / NEXUS / SENTRI

Call U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or visit an enrollment center.

These options are slower but work when everything else fails.

🛑 Important: Your TSA Number Is NOT Any of These

Many Americans confuse the KTN with other ID numbers. It is NOT:

✘ Your passport number
✘ Your Global Entry card number (front side)
✘ Your driver’s license number
✘ Your airline confirmation code
✘ Your Redress Number
✘ Your Known Traveler expiration date

The only correct TSA number is the 9-digit KTN/PASSID.

🔧 Troubleshooting: Why You Can’t Find Your TSA Number

Here are the most common reasons:

1. You enrolled in the wrong program

Some travelers think they enrolled in TSA PreCheck, but actually enrolled in Global Entry (or vice versa).

2. You changed your name

A name mismatch prevents TSA PreCheck from appearing on boarding passes.

3. You never added your KTN to your airline profile

This causes TSA PreCheck to be missing at the airport.

4. Your membership expired

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry expire every 5 years.

📝 How to Add Your TSA Number to a Flight (So PreCheck Works)

Even if you find your KTN, it won’t activate unless you add it to your booking:

Open your airline reservation
Go to “Passenger Information”
Look for “Known Traveler Number”
Enter your 9-digit KTN
Save changes

You should see “TSA PRE” on your boarding pass within minutes.

🧠 FAQs Travelers Also Search For

Is my TSA number the same as my Global Entry number?

Yes — your PASSID is your TSA Known Traveler Number.

Does TSA PreCheck show on every flight?

Only if you added your KTN AND the airline participates.

Can I fly without my TSA number?

Yes, but you will not receive PreCheck benefits.

How long does TSA PreCheck last?

5 years.

🎯 Conclusion

Finding your TSA number is easy once you know where to look. You can recover it through:

Universal Enroll (TSA PreCheck)
Your Global Entry / NEXUS / SENTRI PASSID
Airline frequent flyer accounts
Past boarding passes
Customer support (TSA or CBP)

Once you locate it, make sure you add it to your airline profiles so you never lose TSA PreCheck benefits again.