Denver International Airport Security Wait Times and TSA PreCheck

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. 

Security Wait Time at DEN Airport

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. 

TSA Wait Times at DEN 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

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.