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Frontier's carry-on size limit is 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm) with a 35 lb (16 kg) weight limit. This bag goes in the overhead bin and requires a paid carry-on add-on or a fare bundle that includes it. Frontier only includes a free personal item (18 × 14 × 8 in) by default — anything larger needs the add-on. The carry-on dimensions are relatively generous for a U.S. airline, matching Southwest and exceeding most legacy carriers. This page focuses specifically on the paid carry-on bag, not the free personal item.
Frontier uses "carry-on" to mean the larger bag that goes in the overhead bin — not the free bag. Every Frontier fare includes one free personal item (18 × 14 × 8 in) that goes under the seat. Anything larger requires the paid carry-on add-on or a fare bundle that includes overhead bin access.
The carry-on has its own size limit (24 × 16 × 10 in), its own weight limit (35 lbs), and its own cost. If you haven't purchased carry-on access and your bag doesn't fit as a personal item, it will be gate-checked with a fee that is significantly higher than pre-purchasing online.
Frontier's carry-on limit is more generous than the standard U.S. airline allowance (22 × 14 × 9 in used by Delta, United, American, JetBlue, and Alaska). The extra 2 inches of height, 2 inches of width, and 1 inch of depth make a meaningful difference — many bags that are tight fits on legacy carriers have room to spare on Frontier.
At 24 × 16 × 10 in, nearly every standard rolling carry-on and many 35–45L travel backpacks fit within these dimensions on paper. The 10-inch depth is generous enough to accommodate most bag shapes without the compression issues that define strict European airlines like Ryanair. Height (24 in) is the most forgiving dimension — very few carry-on bags exceed it.
Unlike many U.S. carriers that have no enforced weight limit for carry-ons, Frontier applies a 35 lb (16 kg) weight limit. A densely packed rolling suitcase or a 40L backpack loaded with books, electronics, and toiletries can approach or exceed this weight even when the bag fits dimensionally. If you tend to pack heavy, weigh your bag before arriving at the airport.
Frontier measures total external dimensions including wheels, handles, and external pockets. A roller marketed as "22 inches" may be 23–24 inches once wheels and telescopic handle housing are included. Most standard rollers still fit within 24 inches total, but check the actual external measurements rather than the manufacturer's claimed size.
Liters are a useful guide for estimating capacity, but Frontier measures external dimensions only. Here is how common bag sizes map to the 24 × 16 × 10 in carry-on limit:
These are general patterns. Always check your specific bag's external dimensions against 24 × 16 × 10 in — not its liter rating.
Most rolling carry-on suitcases are measured including wheels and handles, which often pushes total height to around 23 inches. On Frontier, the 24-inch height limit is generous enough that most standard U.S. carry-on rollers fit comfortably. The carry-on add-on or a bundle fare is required for overhead bin access.
Use the personal item page if you are trying to stay within the free under-seat allowance, or the full rules page for Frontier's complete baggage policy:
Use the calculator to see whether your packing setup fits Frontier's carry-on size in real-world conditions.
Open packing calculator →Frontier's carry-on size limit is 24 × 16 × 10 inches (61 × 41 × 25 cm) with a 35-pound (16 kg) weight limit. This bag goes in the overhead bin and requires a paid carry-on add-on or a fare bundle that includes it. The dimensions are more generous than many legacy U.S. carriers.
No. Frontier only includes a free personal item (18 × 14 × 8 in) on all fares. The carry-on bag is a paid add-on. You can purchase it during booking, add it later online, or pay at the gate — but gate prices are significantly higher. Some bundle fares include carry-on access.
Frontier is stricter than legacy U.S. carriers but less strict than European budget airlines. If you have purchased the carry-on add-on, your bag is unlikely to be measured as long as it is clearly a standard carry-on size. Enforcement focuses more on passengers trying to bring oversized personal items into the cabin without paying for carry-on access.
Many 40L travel backpacks fit within Frontier's 24 × 16 × 10 in carry-on limit on paper. The generous 10-inch depth accommodates most carry-on-shaped travel packs. Always check your bag's external dimensions rather than relying on its liter rating, and keep in mind the 35-pound weight limit.
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