Airline Carry-On Rules
Airline Carry-On Size Rules
Last updated: April 2026
Carry-on size limits vary by airline — and enforcement is inconsistent. This page compares airline rules for dimensions, weight, and personal items so you can choose the right bag and avoid surprises at the gate.
Overview
Why Airline Rules Matter — and How They Differ
A bag that fits on Southwest might not fit on Ryanair. Airlines differ on four things that determine whether your bag boards with you: carry-on dimensions, personal item rules, weight limits, and booking-based restrictions. Some airlines include overhead bin access in every booking; others charge extra for it or restrict carry-ons to priority boarding.
Each airline below links to bag-specific fit pages that answer one question: will this bag actually fit on this airline? Every page includes a calculator that checks your exact packing setup against that airline's published limits.
Not sure how liters translate to airline size? See our carry-on size in liters guide.
Want to check if your bag will actually fit? Use the packing calculator to test your setup.
Quick reference
Carry-On Dimensions at a Glance
| Airline |
Carry-on limit |
Weight |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | No limit |
| United Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | No limit |
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | No limit |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in | No limit |
| Ryanair | 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 10 kg (22 lbs) |
| EasyJet | 22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | 15 kg (33 lbs) |
Major U.S. airlines typically do not publish or enforce standard carry-on weight limits on most domestic routes. European budget airlines are more likely to enforce both dimensions and weight, including at the gate.
Major U.S. airlines
Choose Your Airline
U.S. domestic
Delta Air Lines
22 × 14 × 9 in — no weight limit
Standard U.S. carry-on box. No published weight limit on most domestic routes. Works for many travel bags up to about 40L, with some 45L bags also fitting depending on shape and packing. Enforcement is generally less strict on many domestic routes.
U.S. domestic
United Airlines
22 × 14 × 9 in — no weight limit
Same dimensions as Delta. No published weight limit on most domestic routes. Enforcement is often less strict on domestic routes, though international travel can be less forgiving.
U.S. domestic
American Airlines
22 × 14 × 9 in — no weight limit
Standard U.S. dimensions. No weight limit. Same carry-on box as Delta and United.
U.S. domestic
Southwest Airlines
24 × 16 × 10 in — no weight limit
One of the most generous carry-on boxes among major U.S. airlines — 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller than the standard U.S. limit. No published weight limit. Two checked bags fly free.
Budget / stricter airlines
European Budget Carriers
European budget
Ryanair
21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in — 10 kg
Strict dimensions and weight limit. Priority boarding required for overhead bin access. Without priority, only a small personal item (40 × 20 × 25 cm (15.7 × 7.9 × 9.8 in)) is free.
European budget
EasyJet
22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in — 15 kg
Wider box than Ryanair with a more generous 15 kg weight limit. Large cabin bag requires a reserved overhead bin fee. Free personal item fits under the seat.
Key factors
What Actually Decides if a Bag Fits
- Listed liters are not enough — a 40L bag with slim dimensions can fit where a bulky 35L won't
- Packed shape matters more than empty shape — a half-full bag is smaller than its rated capacity, and rigid items like laptops prevent compression
- Rigid items change fit — shoes, water bottles, and hard-shell cases create fixed-volume zones that don't compress into a sizer
- Personal item and carry-on are different things — most airlines allow one of each, but the size and placement rules are not the same
- Your booking type can affect what's allowed — some airlines may restrict overhead bin access unless you've purchased priority boarding or an upgrade, even if your bag fits the dimension limit
Bag placement
Personal Item vs Carry-On
Personal item
Under-seat
Free on most airlines, ~15–25L
Carry-on
Overhead bin
Free or paid, ~25–45L
On U.S. carriers, most fares include both a personal item and an overhead bin carry-on at no extra charge. On European budget airlines, the overhead bin is often a paid add-on — your included cabin bag may only be a small under-seat personal item. This means a 25L bag can go either way: it fits under most seats, but on budget airlines it may be the only bag you're allowed without paying extra.
The distinction matters because a bag that technically fits the carry-on sizer doesn't help if your booking doesn't include overhead access. Check both dimensions and your booking details before you fly.
How to use
How to Use the Airline Fit Pages
Pick your airline from the cards above, then choose the bag size closest to yours. Each airline page includes a calculator that lets you set your exact trip length, climate, packing style, and extras like a laptop or extra shoes. It'll tell you how much of the bag your setup uses and whether it fits that airline's carry-on limits.
If you're not sure what bag size you need yet, start with a packing guide for your trip length — then come back here to check airline fit.
Bottom Line
- Airline rules vary — the same bag can pass on one airline and get gate-checked on another
- Dimensions and packed shape matter more than listed liters
- U.S. carriers rarely enforce weight; budget European airlines enforce everything
- Budget airline fares may not include overhead bin access — check before you fly
- Use the airline-specific pages above to check your exact bag and packing setup
Notes
About These Pages
Carry-on dimensions are based on published airline policies as of early 2026. Airlines update their policies periodically — always verify with your airline's website before traveling. Weight limits listed are for the carry-on bag only and may not include personal items.
The fit calculator on each airline page uses real bag measurements, a 15% dead-space factor, and airline-specific dimension limits. Packed external dimensions determine final fit — not the bag's liter rating. Final acceptance depends on gate agent discretion.
How This Information Is Built
This page is based on aggregated airline policies, real-world packing constraints, and typical travel scenarios.
This content reflects real-world packing scenarios and typical airline policies. Airline enforcement may vary based on aircraft, route, and boarding conditions.
