TSA wait times
ENDenver International Airport
DEN Security: Checkpoints, Hours, PreCheck and CLEAR
Denver International Airport has two security checkpoints, East and West, both on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal. The airport recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight. Both checkpoints have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.
TSA wait times
How busy will DEN security be?
Pick your flight time: hour-by-hour forecast for every checkpoint, from official TSA data.
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Your options at a glance
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Level 6, east side. Standard entrance is behind the Southwest check-in counters. PreCheck and CLEAR available.
- Hours
- Standard 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; TSA PreCheck 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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Level 6, west side. Standard entrance is behind the United check-in counters. PreCheck and CLEAR available.
- Hours
- Standard 3:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (next morning); TSA PreCheck 4:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
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Security 3 entrance at East and West Security, north of the ticket counters.
- Hours
- East 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; West 4:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
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DEN says CLEAR is available at East and West Security. CLEAR members with PreCheck use the PreCheck entrance at West Security.
Where the two checkpoints are
DEN has two checkpoints. East Security and West Security are both on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal, one on each side of the building.
East Security is on the east side, next to the Southwest check-in counters. West Security is on the west side, next to the United check-in counters. Check your airline's check-in side on the DEN site, because airlines other than United, Southwest and Frontier are temporarily on Level 5.
DEN says it opened the East checkpoint on Aug. 5, 2025, after the West one, and that the East checkpoint has 17 screening lanes.
Checkpoint hours
- East Security: standard screening 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. TSA PreCheck 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- West Security: standard screening 3:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next morning. TSA PreCheck 4:00 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
These are the hours on DEN's site on Oct. 9, 2026. If you fly late at night or before dawn, check the page before you leave, because hours can change.
Which door to use: standard, PreCheck, CLEAR
Each checkpoint has three entrances.
- Security 1 (standard): for most travelers. East Security 1 is behind the Southwest check-in counters. West Security 1 is behind the United check-in counters.
- Security 2 (restricted access): for Premium or Premier access, travelers with accessibility and functional needs, military and badged employees. It is north of the ticket counters on each side.
- Security 3 (TSA PreCheck): north of the ticket counters at each checkpoint. DEN says CLEAR is available at both checkpoints, and CLEAR members with PreCheck use the PreCheck entrance on the West side.
If you are dropped off on Level 6 on the west side, DEN says to look for Doors 606 to 600, with PreCheck closest to Doors 602 and 600.
Checking wait times
DEN shows estimated security wait times for each checkpoint on its home page and on its security page. The airport labels them as estimates that can change, and the numbers on the two pages can differ, so we do not copy them here.
DEN's security page lists no program to reserve a time slot. Check flydenver.com/security on the day you travel, and add a buffer to the airport's two hour advice if you want more certainty.
When to arrive
DEN recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight to allow time for screening. The home page also says to arrive no less than 2 hours before boarding time. For an international departure, DEN recommends arriving three hours before.
Construction is still going on in the terminal. DEN lists the Great Hall Program as finishing by the end of 2027, so allow extra time to find your way.
Walk time from security to your gate
DEN publishes average walk times from East and West Security to groups of gates. These are estimates, and travelers with reduced mobility may need longer.
- Concourse A: 12 min (Gates 14 to 25), 9 min (26 to 32), 6 min (34 to 39), 5 min (40 to 47), 7 min (48 to 53), 10 min (54 to 56), 15 min (71 to 84)
- Concourse B: 13 min (Gates 7 to 12), 12 min (15 to 22), 10 min (23 to 29), 8 min (31 to 37), 7 min (38 to 44), 8 min (45 to 52), 11 min (53 to 60), 13 min (62 to 71)
- Concourse C: 13 min (Gates 23 to 31), 11 min (32 to 39), 9 min (40 to 47), 11 min (48 to 54), 13 min (55 to 62), 15 min (63 to 67)
DEN's table stops at Gate 71 on Concourse B, but B gates run past B89 on the B-East extension, so those gates take longer than the last figure. International flights arrive at Concourse A, and if you connect to a domestic flight you go back through TSA screening.
Construction that affects the checkpoint area
The south bridge that links the east and west sides of Level 6 is temporarily closed, and so is the escalator to it from Level 5. DEN says it will reopen before Thanksgiving 2026. Use Level 5 to cross between the east and west sides.
All airline ticket counters except United, Southwest and Frontier are temporarily on Level 5 while Level 6 is renovated. There are no restrooms on the north end of Level 6. A DEN construction page still describes a South Security Checkpoint on Level 5 and says the Level 5 checkpoints move to Level 6 with the East opening. DEN's security page lists only East and West, so use those. Restrooms are on Level 6 between Doors 608 and 610 or 609 and 611.
Help for travelers with disabilities
TSA Cares is a helpline for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions or other special circumstances. DEN lists the toll free number (855) 787-2227. Restricted access lanes are open to travelers with disabilities at all checkpoints.
TSA rules for liquids, ID and prohibited items are covered in our general TSA guide.
Questions travelers ask
How many security checkpoints does DEN have?
Two. East Security and West Security are both on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal. Each has standard, restricted access and TSA PreCheck entrances, and CLEAR is available at both.
What time does security open at DEN?
East Security opens at 3:00 a.m. for standard screening and 4:00 a.m. for PreCheck. West Security opens at 3:30 a.m. for standard screening and 4:00 a.m. for PreCheck. Hours were checked on Oct. 9, 2026.
What time does DEN security close?
East Security closes at 8:00 p.m. West Security stays open until 1:00 a.m. the next morning. West PreCheck closes at 8:45 p.m. and East PreCheck closes at 8:00 p.m.
Does DEN have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
Yes. DEN lists a TSA PreCheck entrance (Security 3) and says CLEAR is available at both East and West Security. PreCheck hours are shorter than standard hours, so check them if you fly late.
How early should I get to DEN for my flight?
DEN recommends at least two hours before your flight. Terminal construction continues through the end of 2027, so leave a little more time if you are checking bags or unfamiliar with the building.
Where can I see DEN security wait times?
DEN shows estimated wait times for each checkpoint on flydenver.com, on the home page and the security page. They are estimates and change live. DEN lists no program to reserve a security time slot.
Which security checkpoint should I use at DEN?
Use the one on your airline's check-in side. East is behind the Southwest counters and West is behind the United counters. The south bridge between the sides is closed until before Thanksgiving 2026, so use Level 5 if you need to cross.
How long does it take to walk from security to my gate?
DEN lists averages from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the gate. The longest are 15 minutes for Concourse A Gates 71 to 84 and Concourse C Gates 63 to 67. People with reduced mobility may need longer.
How early should I arrive at DEN for an international flight?
DEN recommends arriving three hours before an international departure. For domestic flights, DEN recommends at least two hours.
More at DEN
Sources and last check
Checked by our team on Oct. 9, 2026 against these official sources: