Carry-On Rules by Airline: Size Limits, Weight Limits and What You Can Bring
Airline by airline, the size and weight limits for carry-on bags and personal items as of 2026, followed by the security rules for liquids, batteries and sharp items that apply to every cabin bag.
American, Delta, United, Alaska and JetBlue allow a carry-on of 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) with no weight limit, plus a personal item that fits under the seat. Southwest and Frontier allow 24 × 16 × 10 in. Outside the US, most airlines set about 55 × 40 × 23 cm and a weight limit of 7–10 kg (15–22 lb), while Ryanair and Wizz Air include only a 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag in the basic fare.
- US carry-on
- 22 × 14 × 9 in
- Typical abroad
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm
- Weight abroad
- 7–10 kg
- Liquids
- 3.4 oz / 100 mL
On this page
Carry-on size limits for US airlines
The five largest full-service US carriers share the same carry-on limit. The differences are in personal-item sizes and in what basic fares include. Dimensions include wheels and handles.
| Airline | Carry-on (in) | Carry-on (cm) | Personal item | Basic fare includes carry-on? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) | Yes |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 35 × 23 | No set size; must fit under the seat | Yes |
| United Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) | No on most routes; personal item only |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | No set size; must fit under the seat | Yes |
| JetBlue | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | 17 × 13 × 8 in (43 × 33 × 20 cm) | Rules for Blue Basic have changed; check |
| Southwest | 24 × 16 × 10 | 61 × 41 × 25 | 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm) | Yes |
| Frontier | 24 × 16 × 10 | 61 × 41 × 25 | 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) | No; carry-on is a paid add-on |
None of these airlines sets a carry-on weight limit for standard flights; you need to be able to lift the bag into the bin. Spirit Airlines, which charged for carry-ons and allowed 22 × 18 × 10 in, ceased operations in May 2026.
On regional aircraft with about 50 seats or fewer, the bins are too small for a 22-inch bag. Delta, for example, allows only personal items in the cabin on Delta Connection flights of 50 seats or fewer and checks larger bags free at the aircraft door, returning them as you step off. Other US airlines use a similar planeside gate-check process on their smallest jets.
Cabin bag limits for European low-cost airlines
Low-cost airlines split the allowance in two: a small under-seat bag is free, and a full-size cabin bag is sold separately or bundled with priority boarding. Their sizers are checked at the gate on most flights.
| Airline | Free under-seat bag | In inches | Paid cabin bag | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Priority) | 10 kg (22 lb) for the paid bag |
| Wizz Air | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 | 55 × 40 × 23 cm (Priority) | 10 kg (22 lb) for the paid bag |
| easyJet | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | 17.7 × 14.2 × 7.9 | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (Large Cabin Bag) | 15 kg (33 lb) per bag |
A 40 × 30 × 20 cm bag holds 24 liters as a box, enough for a weekend if you pack soft clothes. Ryanair enlarged its free bag to this size in 2025 from 40 × 20 × 25 cm, so older "Ryanair-size" bags are smaller than they need to be.
Carry-on limits for international full-service airlines
Full-service airlines outside the US mostly allow one cabin bag plus one small personal item in economy, and they weigh bags more often than US carriers do. Some count the personal item inside the weight limit.
| Airline | Cabin bag (cm) | Cabin bag (in) | Weight limit | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | 55 × 40 × 23 | 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 | None set | 43 × 33 × 16 cm |
| British Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 | 22 × 17.7 × 9.8 | 23 kg (51 lb) | 40 × 30 × 15 cm, also 23 kg |
| Lufthansa | 55 × 40 × 23 | 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 | 8 kg (17.6 lb) | 40 × 30 × 10 cm |
| Air France and KLM | 55 × 35 × 25 | 21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 | 12 kg (26.5 lb) for both bags together | 40 × 30 × 15 cm |
| Turkish Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 | 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 | 8 kg (17.6 lb) | Small item |
| Emirates | 55 × 38 × 20 | 21.7 × 15 × 7.9 | 7 kg (15.4 lb) | Check fare rules |
| Qatar Airways | 50 × 37 × 25 | 19.7 × 14.6 × 9.8 | 7 kg (15.4 lb) | Small item |
| Singapore Airlines | Sum of sides up to 115 cm | 45 linear in | 7 kg (15.4 lb) | Small item |
| Japan Airlines and ANA | 55 × 40 × 25 | 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.8 | 10 kg (22 lb) for both bags together | Small item |
Premium cabins usually get a second cabin bag or a higher weight, for example two bags in business class on many of these airlines. Limits also differ on partner-operated and regional flights booked through these airlines.
A US bag of 22 × 14 × 9 in is 56 × 36 × 23 cm. It is 1 cm too tall for 55 cm limits, 1 cm too wide for Air France and KLM's 35 cm, too deep for Emirates' 20 cm and too tall for Qatar's 50 cm. On a connecting itinerary, pack to the strictest airline's size and weight.
What counts as a personal item
A personal item is any bag that fits under the seat in front of you: a purse, a small backpack, a laptop bag, a briefcase, a camera bag or a diaper bag. The space varies by aircraft and seat; it is narrowest at window seats with seat-frame boxes is not available in bulkhead rows, and exit-row passengers usually cannot keep a bag at their feet, so in those seats every bag goes in the overhead bin for takeoff.
No single size meets every personal-item limit, because the airlines constrain different sides: Ryanair and Wizz Air cap the length at 40 cm (15.7 in), United caps the middle dimension at 10 in, and Lufthansa caps the depth at 10 cm (3.9 in). A bag of 15.5 × 10 × 7.5 in (39 × 25 × 19 cm), about 19 liters, fits every US airline above plus the free bags on Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet. For British Airways, Air France, KLM and Air Canada, keep it 6 in (15 cm) deep; for Lufthansa, use a slim laptop bag. Bags designed for this role are covered in backpack dimensions by type, the laptop bag size chart and camera bag sizes.
Most airlines let you carry these in addition to your bags: a coat or jacket, an umbrella, food for the flight, duty-free purchases, mobility aids and medical devices, and, for travelers with children, a stroller and a child safety seat. Check the airline's list before relying on any one of them.
Liquids, batteries and sharp items in carry-on bags
Liquids
At US airports, liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less, all inside one quart-size bag per passenger. Medications and baby food or formula are exempt in reasonable quantities but must be declared. Airports in the UK, EU and elsewhere apply the same 100 mL rule, except at some airports with CT scanners that allow larger containers. Check the departure airport's own rule for each flight, including the return.
Batteries and electronics
- Power banks and spare lithium batteries go in carry-on only. Protect the terminals and keep them out of checked bags, including bags gate-checked at the aircraft.
- Up to 100 Wh per battery: allowed. Watt-hours = volts × amp-hours, so a 20,000 mAh power bank at 3.7 V is 74 Wh.
- 100 to 160 Wh: airline approval needed, maximum two spare batteries.
- Over 160 Wh: not allowed as baggage.
- In-flight use: several airlines, including Southwest, Singapore Airlines and Emirates, restrict using or charging power banks on board.
Sharp items and tools (TSA)
Knives are not allowed in US carry-on bags, apart from plastic or round-bladed butter knives. Scissors are allowed if the blades are shorter than 4 in (10 cm) from the pivot, and tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches if they are shorter than 7 in (18 cm). Anything longer goes in checked baggage.
How airlines enforce carry-on rules
- Sizers at check-in and the gate. A metal frame of the exact limit. If the bag needs force to go in, staff usually treat it as too big.
- Scales at check-in or the gate, on airlines with weight limits. Some weigh the cabin bag and personal item together.
- Boarding-group checks. On basic and low-cost fares, staff look for a second bag at the gate, where fees are highest.
- Full flights. When the bins fill, late-boarding passengers have compliant bags checked, usually free. Take out batteries, medication and valuables if that happens.
Choosing a bag that meets these limits is covered in the carry-on bag size guide, and checked bag limits in the luggage size chart.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags in the US?
Not on American, Delta, United, Alaska, JetBlue or Southwest. You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead bin yourself. Most international airlines do weigh cabin bags, with limits from 7 kg (15 lb) to 23 kg (51 lb).
What is the typical airline carry-on size?
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) in the US, and 55 × 35 to 40 × 20 to 25 cm (about 21.5 × 14–15.5 × 8–10 in) on most international airlines. A bag of 21.5 × 14 × 8 in fits nearly every full-service airline's limit.
Do wheels and handles count in carry-on dimensions?
Yes. Every major airline measures the bag's overall size, including wheels, handles, feet and full exterior pockets. A suitcase with a 22-inch body is too tall for a 22-inch limit once the wheels are added.
Can I bring a carry-on and a backpack?
On most full fares, yes: the backpack is your personal item if it fits under the seat and within the airline's personal-item size, for example 17 × 10 × 9 in on United or 18 × 14 × 8 in on American. On basic fares that allow only a personal item, the backpack is your only bag.
What happens if my carry-on is too big?
It is checked, either at the counter or at the gate. On full-service airlines a gate-checked bag is often free when bins are full; on low-cost airlines an oversized bag at the gate costs more than paying for the bag in advance.
Can I bring a power bank in my carry-on?
Yes, and it must be in your carry-on, never in checked baggage. Power banks up to 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh at 3.7 V) are allowed without approval; 100 to 160 Wh needs airline approval, limited to two spares; above 160 Wh is not allowed. Several airlines also ban using power banks during the flight.