Security wait times at Denver International Airport typically range from 5 to 30 minutes for standard screening. The main Jeppensen terminal contains two security checkpoints, east and west security on level 6. In early August 2025, the new east checkpoint was set up after the permanent demolition of the south security checkpoint. Departing passengers can use TSA PreCheck and CLEAR to expedite their process, while internationally arriving flyers have access to the Global Entry kiosks.
Average Security Wait Time at DEN Airport
Denver Airport's wait time at security takes approximately 5 to 30 minutes to clear. Early morning hours remain the busiest, but even at that, waiting time is under the estimated limit and not exceeding more than 24 minutes.

|
AM Timings |
Average Wait Time |
PM Timings |
Average Wait Time |
|
12 to 1 |
1-2 minutes |
12 to 1 |
12 minutes |
|
1 to 2 |
0 minutes |
1 to 2 |
14 minutes |
|
2 to 3 |
6 minutes |
2 to 3 |
19 minutes |
|
3 to 4 |
12 minutes |
3 to 4 |
9 minutes |
|
4 to 5 |
20 minutes |
4 to 5 |
9 minutes |
|
5 to 6 |
24 minutes |
5 to 6 |
11 minutes |
|
6 to 7 |
14 minutes |
6 to 7 |
7 minutes |
|
7 to 8 |
20 minutes |
7 to 8 |
2-3 minutes |
|
8 to 9 |
7 minutes |
8 to 9 |
2 minutes |
|
9 to 10 |
21 minutes |
9 to 10 |
0-1 minutes |
|
10 to 11 |
13 minutes |
10 to 11 |
1 minutes |
|
11 to 12 |
14 minutes |
11 to 12 |
0 minutes |
Security Checkpoint at Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport features two checkpoints within the Jeppesen Terminal on level 6. Both of these checkpoints have specific working hours and offer priority lanes for TSA PreCheck.
|
Checkpoint |
East Checkpoint |
West Checkpoint |
|
Location |
Level 6 |
Level 6 |
|
Working Hours |
3 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next morning) |
4.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. |
|
TSA PreCheck |
Available |
Available |
West Security Checkpoints:
|
Checkpoint |
Location |
Accessible By |
|
West Security 1 |
Behind the United Airlines Check-in counters |
Standard screening for flyers. |
|
West Security 2 |
North of the United Airlines ticketing counters |
DEN Reserve Premium members, with limited mobility and special needs, and badged employees. |
|
West Security 3 |
North of the United Airlines ticketing counters |
TSA PreCheck passengers and CLEAR. |
East Security Checkpoints:
|
CHECKPOINT LANES |
Approachable For |
|
Primary Lane |
Standard Screening |
|
CLEAR Lane Near Bag Claim 7 |
CLEAR customers without TSA PreCheck |
|
Restricted Access Lane |
Premium and Premier Access, Flyers with limited mobility and special needs, Military personnel, and Employees. |
Current TSA Wait Times at DEN Airport
The current DEN Airport TSA wait times at both checkpoints are under 10 minutes, but depending on traffic, they can increase or decrease. It is important to check security times before arriving at the airport.

Current Wait Time
Estimated Wait Time: 0 minutes
Description: less than one minute
Pre-Check Lanes
Number of Pre-Check Lanes: 1
Pre-Check Checkpoints
| Terminal | Checkpoint | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal MAIN | A Bridge Checkpoint | Closed |
| Terminal MAIN | North Checkpoint | Closed |
| Terminal MAIN | South Checkpoint | Open |
Estimated Hourly Wait Times
| Time Slot | Wait Time (minutes) |
|---|---|
| 12 am - 1 am | 0.0 |
| 1 am - 2 am | 8.7 |
| 2 am - 3 am | 18.5 |
| 3 am - 4 am | 28.2 |
| 4 am - 5 am | 34.8 |
| 5 am - 6 am | 16 |
| 6 am - 7 am | 11.6 |
| 7 am - 8 am | 11.5 |
| 8 am - 9 am | 16.5 |
| 9 am - 10 am | 18.6 |
| 10 am - 11 am | 22.3 |
| 11 am - 12 pm | 8.8 |
| 12 pm - 1 pm | 4.3 |
| 1 pm - 2 pm | 4.3 |
| 2 pm - 3 pm | 3.2 |
| 3 pm - 4 pm | 19.2 |
| 4 pm - 5 pm | 9.2 |
| 5 pm - 6 pm | 7.4 |
| 6 pm - 7 pm | 7.4 |
| 7 pm - 8 pm | 7.3 |
| 8 pm - 9 pm | 10.1 |
| 9 pm - 10 pm | 4.3 |
| 10 pm - 11 pm | 0.0 |
| 11 pm - 12 am | 5.3 |
Estimated Walking Time From East to West Security Checkpoints
The estimated walking time from the east to the west checkpoints to the boarding gates remains between 10 and 15 minutes. However, it also depends subjectively on the passengers’ walking speed.
|
Gate numbers |
Walking Times |
|
Gates A14 to A25 |
12 minutes |
|
Gates A26 to A32 |
9 minutes |
|
Gates A34 to A39 |
6 minutes |
|
Gates A40 to A47 |
5 minutes |
|
Gates A48 to A53 |
7 minutes |
|
Gates B7 to B12 |
13 minutes |
|
Gates B15 to B22 |
12 minutes |
|
Gates B23 to B29 |
10 minutes |
|
Gates B31 to B37 |
8 minutes |
|
Gates B38 to B44 |
7 minutes |
|
Gates B45 to B52 |
8 minutes |
|
Gates B53 to B61 |
11 minutes |
|
Gates B62 to B71 |
13 minutes |
|
Gates C23 to C31 |
13 minutes |
|
Gates C32 to C39 |
11 minutes |
|
Gates C40 to C47 |
9 minutes |
|
Gates C48 to C54 |
11 minutes |
|
Gates C55 to C62 |
13 minutes |
|
Gates C63 to C67 |
15 minutes |
NOTE: The Denver International Airport Map provides the exact location and directions to all gates and concourses.
Customs Wait Times and Expedited Security
The Customs and Border Protection Office is present on level 5 of the DEN Jeppensen Terminal. It is mandatory for internationally arriving passengers to complete their clearance process before exiting the airport. The wait time at this office can stretch up to an hour; however, passengers can use the expedited method of Global Entry to speed up the processing.
-
Global Entry members can verify their identities within 5 minutes using the biometric screening at the kiosks.
-
The kiosks and the application centre are available adjacent to the international arrival area at the north end of the terminal.
How to Contact Denver Airport
-
Airport Address: 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80249
-
Helpline Number: (720) 730- IFLY (4359)
-
Text: (720) 902-9351
-
Website: https://www.flydenver.com/
-
Mailing Address: info@flydenver.com
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, it takes 5 to 30 minutes to pass the security checkpoints at the Denver International Airport.
Currently, there are 2 checkpoints at the airport: East Security Checkpoint and West Security Checkpoint.
The CLEAR opens at 4.15 a.m. at the West Security Checkpoint on DEN Airport.
The estimated time to reach Gate B36 after security checking is 8 minutes; however, it is just an estimate and can take more or less.
Denver Airport recommends you arrive at least 2 hours before the departure time to complete the security process timely manner.
Passengers can contact Denver Airport either by calling at (720) 730- IFLY (4359) or texting at (720) 902-9351.