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Southwest carry-on size: will your bag fit?

Southwest allows a carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 10 inches, wheels, handles and attachments included: more room than the 22 × 14 × 9 inches of Delta, American and United. Enter your bag to see whether it fits as a Southwest carry-on or personal item, and on other airlines.

24 × 16 × 10 inSouthwest’s carry-on limit, wheels, handles and attachments included
No sizeFor the personal item: it goes under the seat in front of you
FreeOne carry-on and one personal item, on every fare
$45 · $55First and second checked bag, one way, on most fares (U.S. mainland, booked from April 9, 2026)
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Will my bag fit on Southwest?

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Turn on JavaScript to check your bag. Southwest’s carry-on limit is 24 × 16 × 10 in.

    FitsToo bigSouthwest’s limits from its own policy page, checked Oct 18, 2026. Measure the bag packed, wheels and handles included.

    Southwest carry-on size

    Every Southwest passenger can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item, free on every fare. The carry-on goes in the overhead bin and can measure up to 24 inches long, 16 wide and 10 high, with wheels, handles and any attachments counted. Southwest’s examples are a roller bag or small suitcase; its fee terms also name garment bags and tote bags.

    That’s 2 inches longer, 2 inches wider and 1 inch deeper than the 22 × 14 × 9 inches of Delta, American, United, JetBlue and Alaska. So a bag that fits Southwest may still be too big if your trip continues on another airline: if a partner airline is part of your itinerary, its own carry-on rules may apply, Southwest warns.

    Southwest personal item size

    Southwest gives no measurements for the personal item. It goes under the seat in front of you, and Southwest’s examples are a purse (crossbody bags included), briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow, blanket or small camera. A neck pillow doesn’t count toward the limit. A pet carrier counts as either your carry-on or your personal item, and a pet in the cabin costs $125 each way on the U.S. mainland.

    If your bag is too big, or you have too many

    If your bag is too large to carry on, or you’re bringing more than one carry-on or personal item, Southwest asks you to check the extra at the ticket counter before you go to the gate.

    Space on board is limited, so carry-ons are sometimes checked at the gate. You collect them at baggage claim at your final destination; strollers and assistive devices come back at the gate or jet bridge. Before a bag is gate-checked, take out e-cigarettes, power banks, smart bag batteries, spare batteries, lighters and matches. Southwest also suggests keeping your medication, assistive devices and keys with you.

    Checked bag fees on Southwest

    Southwest no longer checks two bags free on most fares. For U.S. mainland trips booked, ticketed or changed on or after April 9, 2026, these are the one-way fees:

    Fare or statusCarry-on and personal item1st checked bag2nd checked bag
    Basic, Choice, Choice PreferredFree$45$55
    Choice ExtraFreeFreeFree
    A-List Preferred membersFreeFreeFree
    A-List membersFreeFree$35
    Rapid Rewards credit cardmembersFreeFree$55
    Active-duty militaryFreeFreeFree

    Southwest’s Optional Travel Charges page, checked Oct 18, 2026. Trips booked before April 9, 2026 pay $35 and $45. Free bags for status members and cardmembers also cover up to eight more people on the same reservation. Checked bags can be up to 62 inches (length + width + height) and 50 lb before oversize or overweight fees apply.

    Packing for a trip in a different season? See the weather month by month in When to Go, compare your bag with every airline we follow in the bag fit checker, and save your airline in My trips.

    Questions

    What is the carry-on size for Southwest?

    24 inches long, 16 wide and 10 high (about 61 × 41 × 25 cm), with wheels, handles and any attachments counted. The carry-on goes in the overhead bin: a roller bag or small suitcase, for example.

    What size can a personal item be on Southwest?

    Southwest gives no measurements: the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Its examples are a purse (crossbody bags included), briefcase, laptop case, backpack, pillow, blanket or small camera. Neck pillows don’t count.

    Can I bring a backpack and a carry-on on Southwest?

    Yes. A backpack that fits under the seat counts as your personal item, and you can bring one carry-on for the overhead bin as well, both free.

    Is Southwest still 2 bags free?

    Not for checked bags on most fares. For U.S. mainland trips booked on or after April 9, 2026, the first checked bag costs $45 and the second $55, one way, on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares. Choice Extra fares, A-List Preferred members and active-duty military still check two bags free. The carry-on and personal item stay free for everyone.

    Does Southwest have a weight limit for carry-on bags?

    Southwest gives sizes for carry-ons, not a weight. Checked bags can weigh up to 50 lb each before overweight fees apply.

    Follow the numbers

    Sources for this page

    Checked Oct 18, 2026
    Southwest AirlinesCarryon and Personal Item PolicyOne carry-on (24 × 16 × 10 in, wheels, handles and attachments included) and one personal item under the seat; examples; bags too big or too many go to the ticket counter; pet carriers; partner airlines.Southwest AirlinesWhat if my carryon needs to be checked at the gate?Gate-checked bags at baggage claim; what to take out first.Southwest AirlinesOptional Travel ChargesCarry-on and personal item free on every fare; checked bag fees by fare and status, before and from April 9, 2026; overweight and oversized fees; pet fee.Southwest AirlinesChecked Bag PolicyChecked bags up to 62 in (length + width + height) and 50 lb.

    More in Travel Kit

    Bag fit checkerCarry-on and personal-item sizes, airline by airline.American Airlines Carry-On SizeAmerican Airlines carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in and the personal item 18 × 14 × 8 in. Check your bag, plus the Basic Economy and regional jet rules.Delta Carry-On SizeDelta carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 35 × 23 cm) and 45 in in total, wheels included. Check your bag, plus the personal item and Main Basic rules.Frontier Personal Item SizeFrontier personal item size: 18 × 14 × 8 in and up to 35 lb, free with every fare; a carry-on is 24 × 16 × 10 in and costs extra. Check your bag before you fly.United Carry-On SizeUnited carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in and the personal item 17 × 10 × 9 in. Check your bag, and the Basic Economy rule: on most trips, a personal item only.