Carry-On Luggage Dimensions by Airline (2026)
The standard US carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches — a limit adopted by American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, and every legacy US carrier. Budget carriers Spirit and Frontier allow slightly larger carry-ons (24 x 16 x 10 and 24 x 16 x 10 respectively) but charge for them. International carriers vary widely, with Ryanair and Wizz enforcing 55 x 40 x 20 cm (roughly 21.5 x 15.7 x 7.9 in). This guide covers exact dimensions, weight limits, and how to measure so your carry-on clears the sizer every time.
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The Universal US Carry-On Standard
22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) is the near-universal US carry-on limit — it originated as a size that would reliably fit in overhead bins across airline fleets. Every major US legacy carrier uses it. Budget carriers Spirit and Frontier publish slightly larger dimensions to charge fees for carry-ons, not to give more room. The 22 x 14 x 9 spec includes wheels, handles, and external pockets, so a bag marketed as 'carry-on size' can still be oversize if measured with wheels. If you're trying to fly with only a free personal item instead, see our personal item size guide for the smaller under-seat limits.
- 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) is the US standard
- Includes wheels, handles, and external pockets
- 'Carry-on size' bags are sometimes oversize when measured full
- Frontier and Spirit publish larger dimensions but charge fees
Carry-On Size by Airline
The table below shows carry-on size and weight limits at every major US airline. Weight limits are rarely enforced by US carriers on carry-ons but are strict on international routes. Fee-based carry-ons at Spirit, Frontier, and (on Basic Economy) United/American/JetBlue add $37-99 depending on when purchased. United's personal-item allowance is unusually strict — see our United personal item size guide if you're flying Basic Economy with only a personal item.
US carry-on dimensions (as published, 2026)
| Airline | Max dimensions (inches) | Weight limit | Fee? |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | 22 x 14 x 9 | Not enforced | Banned on Basic Economy |
| Delta | 22 x 14 x 9 | Not enforced | Free |
| United | 22 x 14 x 9 | Not enforced | Banned on Basic Economy |
| Southwest | 24 x 16 x 10 | Not enforced | Free (2 free checked also) |
| JetBlue | 22 x 14 x 9 | Not enforced | Banned on Blue Basic |
| Alaska | 22 x 14 x 9 | Not enforced | Free |
| Spirit | 22 x 18 x 10 (larger, paid) | Not enforced | $37-79 (paid upgrade) |
| Frontier | 24 x 16 x 10 (paid) | 35 lb combined w/ PI | $40-99 (paid upgrade) |
| Allegiant | 9 x 14 x 22 | Not enforced | Paid ~$10-75 |
| Breeze | 22 x 14 x 9 | Not enforced | Free on most fares |
| Hawaiian | 22 x 14 x 9 | 25 lb (11.5 kg) | Free on every fare |
Bottom line: A carry-on measured 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles) fits every US legacy carrier. Frontier and Spirit look more generous but charge for carry-ons — a personal-item-sized bag flies free on both.
Quick Reference: Common Carry-On Size Strings
Bag listings advertise dimensions in a few common formats — if you're comparing a specific product's size string against airline limits, here's how the most frequently listed sizes stack up. Not sure whether your bag counts as a carry-on or a personal item in the first place? Our carry-on vs. personal item guide breaks down the practical difference.
Common carry-on size strings vs. airline limits
| Size string | Fits US legacy standard (22x14x9)? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 22 x 14 x 9 in | Yes — exact match | The universal US legacy standard |
| 22 x 18 x 10 in | No — oversize on legacy carriers | Matches Spirit's paid larger carry-on tier |
| 24 x 16 x 10 in | No — oversize except Southwest | Southwest's free standard; paid tier on Frontier |
Bottom line: If a listing gives you a size string, check it against your specific airline's row in the table above — '22 x 14 x 9' is the only string that clears every US legacy carrier without a fee.
International Carry-On Rules Are Different
European and Asian carriers use metric limits, typically 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.9 in). This is slightly SMALLER than the US 22 x 14 x 9 — a US-standard carry-on can be flagged at the gate on Ryanair, Wizz Air, or many Asian LCCs. Legacy European carriers (British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa) are more flexible. Weight limits are also strict internationally: 7-10 kg is common, versus US carriers' effectively unlimited weight.
- European/Asian standard: 55 x 40 x 20 cm — smaller than US
- US-standard bags can be oversize on Ryanair, Wizz, most Asian LCCs
- Weight limits of 7-10 kg are actively enforced internationally
- Legacy European carriers (BA, AF, LH) are more flexible
International Carry-On Dimensions by Airline
Outside the US, cabin-bag limits are published in centimeters and vary more by carrier than US limits do — there's no single international standard the way 22 x 14 x 9 in. functions domestically. Several European and Asian airlines separate a free, smaller under-seat bag from a larger paid or status-gated cabin bag, so check which tier your fare includes before you pack. Dimensions below are as published; airlines revise cabin-bag policy more often than US carriers do, so confirm on the airline's own site close to your travel date.
International cabin-bag dimensions (as published, 2026)
| Airline | Max dimensions (cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 | Plus 1 free small under-seat bag (40 x 30 x 15) |
| Ryanair | 55 x 40 x 20 | Paid 'Priority' bag; free bag is 40 x 20 x 25 under-seat only |
| EasyJet | 56 x 45 x 25 | Paid cabin bag; free under-seat bag is 45 x 36 x 20 |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23 | Economy and above |
| Air France / KLM | 55 x 35 x 25 | One cabin bag + one personal item |
| Emirates | 55 x 38 x 22 | 7 kg Economy allowance |
| Qantas | 56 x 36 x 23 | Domestic and international both 7 kg |
| Turkish Airlines | 55 x 40 x 23 | 8 kg Economy allowance |
| Air Canada | 55 x 40 x 23 | Matches most US legacy carriers |
| Cathay Pacific | 56 x 36 x 23 | 7 kg Economy allowance |
| Japan Airlines | 55 x 40 x 25 (115cm total) | 10 kg Economy allowance |
| Singapore Airlines | 54 x 38 x 23 | 7 kg Economy allowance |
| LATAM | 55 x 35 x 25 | One cabin bag + one personal item |
| Virgin Atlantic | 56 x 36 x 23 | Economy and above |
| Wizz Air | 55 x 40 x 23 | Paid; free bag is 40 x 30 x 20 under-seat only |
| Icelandair | 55 x 40 x 20 | Basic fares may be under-seat bag only |
| TAP Air Portugal | 55 x 40 x 20 | Economy and above |
| Jetstar | 56 x 36 x 23 | 7 kg combined with a small under-seat item; 14 kg on Flex/Business fares |
| Jet2 | 56 x 45 x 25 | 10 kg; separate free under-seat bag up to 40 x 30 x 20 |
| Qatar Airways | 50 x 37 x 25 | 7 kg Economy (10 kg on some Brazil routes) |
| Kuwait Airways | 55 x 38 x 20 | 7 kg Economy allowance |
| Korean Air | 55 x 40 x 20 | 10 kg Economy/Prestige allowance |
| Xiamen Airlines | 55 x 40 x 20 | 5 kg Economy allowance |
| Zipair | 55 x 40 x 25 | 7 kg — cabin bag is a paid add-on; base fare includes a personal item only |
| Volaris | 55 x 40 x 25 | 10 kg — cabin bag is a paid add-on; basic fare includes a personal item only |
Bottom line: A bag at 50 x 35 x 20 cm clears every airline in this table, including Qatar Airways' smaller Economy cabin-bag limit and the free under-seat tier on Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air. As with US carriers, confirm your specific fare's allowance — the free tier on European budget carriers is meaningfully smaller than the paid cabin-bag tier, and ultra-low-cost long-haul carriers like Zipair and Volaris follow the same pattern: only a small personal item is included, and a full cabin bag costs extra. Dimensions for Kuwait Airways, Korean Air, Xiamen Airlines, Zipair, and Volaris reflect each carrier's general published cabin-bag size class — confirm the exact current figure on the airline's own site before flying, since these carriers revise policy more often than the legacy majors above.
How to Measure a Carry-On (Including Wheels and Handles)
Measure the tallest point (the extended handle folded down counts as height, but recessed handles do not), the widest point (side pockets included), and the deepest point (front pouches and wheels included). Use a hard tape measure, not a soft one. If your bag has expandable panels, measure with them zipped closed; if you'll fly with them open, measure that way instead. When in doubt, use an airport-style luggage sizer at home — most travel-goods stores sell a template for $10-20.
- Measure the tallest, widest, and deepest points including wheels
- Handle folded down counts as height; recessed handles do not
- Measure with expansion zip closed (or open, if you'll fly that way)
- A luggage sizer template is worth $10-20 for frequent travelers
What Happens If Your Carry-On Is Oversize
If a gate agent flags your bag at boarding, they'll tag it for gate-check and send it to the plane's cargo hold — free on legacy US carriers, $50-100 on Basic Economy or budget carriers. You'll pick it up at baggage claim, not at the jet bridge. Some agents are lenient on full flights (where gate-checks help boarding); others enforce strictly, especially on Basic Economy. If your bag is borderline, board earlier — bins fill up and agents get pickier as the flight loads.
- Oversize bags get gate-checked (free on legacy, $50-100 on Basic/budget)
- You'll retrieve at baggage claim, not the jet bridge
- Enforcement is stricter on Basic Economy — more agent incentive
- Board early if your bag is borderline; bins fill up quickly
Buying a Carry-On That Fits Everywhere
For a single bag that works across US and European carriers, target 55 x 35 x 22 cm (21.6 x 13.8 x 8.7 in) or smaller — that clears every major carrier including Ryanair. Away's Bigger Carry-On is 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 in and often flagged internationally; the standard Carry-On at 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 fits both markets. Soft-sided bags (backpacks, duffels) compress under pressure and pass more gate checks than rigid hardshells. Weight matters too: a 6+ lb empty hardshell leaves less for contents on international 7-10 kg limits.
- Target 55 x 35 x 22 cm to clear both US and Europe
- Away Carry-On (21.7 x 13.7 x 9) fits both; Bigger Carry-On is borderline
- Soft-sided bags compress; hardshells are strictly measured
- Empty weight matters for 7-10 kg international limits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard carry-on size for US airlines?
The universal US carry-on size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), used by American, Delta, United, Alaska, JetBlue, and every major legacy carrier. Southwest allows slightly larger at 24 x 16 x 10. Spirit and Frontier publish larger dimensions but charge for the upgrade.
Do carry-on dimensions include wheels and handles?
Yes — airlines measure the outermost points of the bag, including wheels, external handles, and pockets. A bag marketed as '22 x 14 x 9' may actually measure 23 x 15 x 10 with wheels and handles, and be flagged at the sizer. Always measure the bag as it will be presented at the gate.
Are international carry-on dimensions the same as US?
No — international carriers generally cap at 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 7.9 in), which is slightly smaller than the US standard. Ryanair, Wizz, and most Asian LCCs enforce strictly. Legacy European carriers (BA, Air France, Lufthansa) are more flexible with size but strict on weight.
What is the carry-on weight limit?
US carriers rarely enforce carry-on weight. International low-cost carriers enforce 7-10 kg strictly and charge $50-100 for overweight bags at the gate. Legacy international carriers usually allow 10-12 kg. If you fly internationally, weigh your carry-on at home.
Can I bring a 24-inch suitcase as a carry-on?
Only on Southwest (24 x 16 x 10) or as a paid upgrade on Spirit/Frontier. Every other US airline caps at 22 inches — a 24-inch bag will be gate-checked. If you fly multiple airlines, buy a 22-inch (or 21.7-inch for international) bag to avoid the risk.
What's the difference between carry-on and personal item dimensions?
A carry-on goes in the overhead bin (up to 22 x 14 x 9 in on US legacy carriers). A personal item goes under the seat in front of you (typically 17 x 13 x 8 or smaller). Every passenger gets both free on most fares; Basic Economy fares often allow only the personal item.
How many liters should a carry-on backpack be?
The maximum a 22 x 14 x 9 in carry-on footprint can hold is roughly 45 liters, and most carry-on-legal travel backpacks land in the 35-45L range to leave a safety margin at the gate sizer. Southwest's larger 24 x 16 x 10 allowance stretches that to around 55L. International routes (Ryanair, Wizz, most Asian LCCs at 55 x 40 x 20 cm) cap out lower, around 35-40L, so a 30-40L pack is the safer international-friendly choice. Going past 45L on a US carrier or 40L internationally raises real odds of a gate check.
Do budget airlines like Allegiant, Jet2, and Norwegian charge for carry-on bags?
Most ultra-low-cost carriers separate the free personal item from a paid carry-on. Allegiant's basic fare includes only a personal item; a full carry-on is a paid add-on booked in advance to avoid a higher airport fee. Jet2 and Norwegian follow the same pattern — a small under-seat bag is free, while an overhead-bin carry-on costs extra unless bundled into a higher fare tier. Always check your specific fare's baggage allowance before you fly; it's cheaper to add a bag online than at the gate.
What if my carry-on bag doesn't have wheels?
A wheel-less carry-on (duffel or backpack style) is measured the same way as a hardshell — by its packed external dimensions, not its weight alone — so it must still fit the airline's size limit and the gate sizer. Soft-sided wheel-less bags actually have an edge at the sizer since they compress slightly under the metal frame, unlike rigid hardshell luggage.
What's the carry-on weight limit in kilograms?
US carriers typically don't weigh carry-ons at all — only dimensions matter. Most international and budget carriers do enforce a weight limit, commonly 7-10kg (15-22 lb) for the free personal item or standard carry-on, sometimes higher (10-12kg) for a paid carry-on upgrade. Airlines that weigh bags will gate-check or charge a fee for anything over the limit, so check your specific carrier's kg allowance before flying internationally.
What are carry-on dimensions for British Airways, Ryanair, and other international airlines?
They vary by carrier and, on European budget airlines, by fare tier. British Airways allows 56 x 45 x 25 cm; Ryanair's paid Priority bag is 55 x 40 x 20 cm (its free bag is a smaller 40 x 20 x 25 cm under-seat-only item); EasyJet and Wizz Air follow the same free-small-bag / paid-larger-bag pattern. A bag at 54 x 35 x 20 cm clears every major international carrier, including the free tier on the budget airlines above — see the full by-airline table above.
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