How big do overhead luggage have to be

Use 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) as a one-size target for maximum compatibility with major US carriers and a wide range of international airlines. Measure external dimensions – wheels, handles and external pockets count toward the limit. Airlines commonly use physical templates at the gate; exceeding the stated size by 1–2 cm can trigger gate-checking or fees.

European operators typically follow two common standards: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (legacy carriers) and a slightly slimmer 55 x 40 x 20 cm for some low-cost services. Many budget airlines allow a free small personal bag around 40 x 20 x 25 cm and sell a paid cabin piece up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm. If your itinerary includes multiple carriers, pack to the strictest dimension on the route.

Weight enforcement varies: low-cost carriers frequently limit main cabin pieces to 7–10 kg; legacy airlines often accept heavier items if they stow safely. Target a packed mass below 7 kg (15 lb) to reduce risk of gate-checking. Use a compact toiletry kit, lightweight charger and pared-down footwear to trim grams without sacrificing essentials.

Practical checklist: measure external size with wheels and handles, confirm the carrier’s cabin policy before booking, weigh the packed bag on a digital scale, choose a soft-sided case for slight compression, and carry a small under-seat item for valuables and documents. When switching between carriers, re-check dimensions and weight limits for the strictest sector and adjust packing accordingly.

Cabin carry-on size limits

Standard carry-on should measure no more than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including wheels and handles for most U.S. carriers; many European airlines use 55 x 40 x 23 cm as their limit.

Typical under-seat personal item: approximately 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Low-cost carriers often apply smaller dimension caps and carry-on weight limits commonly in the 7–10 kg (15–22 lb) range–check the airline’s exact figures before travel.

Measure with the bag fully packed, including external pockets, wheels and handle stows. For hard-shell bags measure the thickest points; for soft-sided designs compress the bag and then add 1–2 cm allowance for fabric expansion under pressure.

Maximize usable volume by choosing a soft-sided model with compression straps, using packing cubes sized to the bag’s interior, and placing heavy items low and close to the wheels to control balance and reduce perceived bulk at boarding.

If packing beach or patio gear, confirm specific dimensions against carrier rules; many full-size outdoor items exceed cabin limits. Consider a compact alternative such as a best cooler backpack for beach, and avoid transporting large patio fixtures like the best cavalier patio umbrella in the cabin unless the airline explicitly permits oversized carry items.

Exact cabin bag size limits for major airlines (dimensions in cm and inches)

Recommendation: measure including wheels and handles; aim for 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in) or smaller for the highest chance of universal acceptance.

Ryanair – small personal item 40 × 20 × 25 cm (15.7 × 7.9 × 9.8 in); Priority/Plus carry-on 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in), Priority cabin piece commonly limited to 10 kg.

easyJet – free underseat bag 45 × 36 × 20 cm (17.7 × 14.2 × 7.9 in); standard cabin allowance 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in).

British Airways – main cabin bag 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) plus one personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in); no published strict weight but must be stowable in the overhead compartment.

American Airlines – carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm); personal item 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm).

Delta Air Lines – carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm); personal item 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm); no standard weight limit but must fit in overhead or under seat.

United Airlines – carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm); personal item approx. 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 22 cm).

Lufthansa – carry-on 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in); some fare classes state an 8 kg allowance for cabin pieces, check fare rules.

Air France / KLM – carry-on 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in); personal item commonly 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in); weight allowances vary by fare and route.

Emirates – single piece 55 × 38 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15 × 7.9 in); Economy weight limit 7 kg, Business/First typically allow two pieces with a combined allowance (check ticket class).

Qatar Airways – recommended cabin size 50 × 37 × 25 cm (19.7 × 14.6 × 9.8 in) for many routes; typical weight allowance 7 kg for Economy, higher for premium classes.

Turkish Airlines – cabin bag 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in); Economy commonly limited to 8 kg, premium classes allow more.

Southwest Airlines – carry-on 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm); no published weight limit but must fit in overhead bin; plus one personal item that fits under seat.

JetBlue – carry-on 22 × 17 × 10 in (56 × 43 × 25 cm); personal item must fit under seat in front.

Alaska Airlines – carry-on 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm); personal item required to fit under seat.

Virgin Atlantic – carry-on 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) plus a smaller personal item; weight rules depend on fare bucket.

Tip: when in doubt, measure your bag fully assembled and prefer dimensions under 55 × 40 × 20 cm for the broadest acceptance; check the airline’s policy page before travel for route- or fare-specific weight limits and exceptions.

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Measure your bag correctly including wheels, handles and external pockets

Measure the packed, zipped bag with the telescopic handle fully stowed; include wheel housings and any external pockets, then add a 2 cm (0.8 in) safety margin to each dimension.

Placement and tools: stand the case upright on a flat floor against a vertical wall. Use a rigid tape measure or a metal ruler; measure vertically from the floor to the highest rigid point of the case (not the extended handle).

Height: press the base squarely to the floor and measure to the highest point of fabric, hard shell, or wheel housing. If wheels create a raised base, measure from floor to top including that raised section.

Width: measure across the front face at the widest point, including side handles, zip pulls and protruding pockets. For spinner designs the widest point is often the wheel housings at each corner.

Depth: measure from the front face to the back face including external pockets, bumpers and rear wheel housings. For bulging front pockets pack them as you normally would and measure at maximal thickness.

Handles and pull-rods: record two values – stowed length (what airlines use for allowed sizes) and fully extended length (for storage/transport convenience). Stowed measurement must be taken with all pull-rods locked into their lowest position and any protective flaps closed.

Wheels: include wheel diameter and housings. For in-line skate wheels or protruding spinners, measure to the outermost wheel edge on each side. If wheels are recessed, still measure to the outer shell edge where it would contact a bin or cabin shelf.

Soft vs hard shells: for soft fabric cases measure both relaxed and deliberately compressed states; use the relaxed measurement plus the 2 cm margin as the reported size, since gate staff may measure without compressing. For rigid cases report the measured rigid dimension.

External straps and name tags: tuck and secure hanging straps, fold or remove removable ID tags, then re-measure. Any element that sticks beyond the shell counts toward the total.

Record dimensions in cm and inches. Conversion: inches = centimetres ÷ 2.54. Example: 55 cm = 21.65 in; add the 2 cm margin and re-convert when reporting to carriers.

Choosing bag shape and materials to maximize usable bin volume

Choose a near-rectangular carry case with recessed wheel housings and flush or telescoping handle mounts to maximize usable cabin-bin volume.

Shape: prefer a boxy profile with minimal taper at top and shallow corner radii. A 90–95% rectangular silhouette yields the highest usable interior because curved or tapered corners waste cross-sectional area inside bins that are rectangular. Avoid deep shoulder tapers and pronounced rounded fronts; even a 2 cm taper on each side reduces usable cross-section by roughly 4–8% for common cabin dimensions.

Shell thickness and material: thin, high-modulus shells deliver more internal space than thick, low-strength plastics. Typical ranges:

– Polycarbonate (PC) shells: 1.4–2.2 mm actual wall thickness – good stiffness with thin walls.

– ABS: 2.2–3.5 mm often required for comparable stiffness – reduces interior volume by 1–2 L compared with PC for same external dimensions.

– Soft fabrics (ballistic nylon, Cordura): fabric sidewalls can compress 1–3 cm under tight packing and recover; use when a few extra centimetres matter.

Wheel and handle design: choose recessed or inset wheel housings and a fully internal handle pocket. Surface-mounted wheel blocks commonly consume 2–5 cm of depth at the base and remove 1–3 litres of usable volume. Low-profile spinner axles reclaim up to 20–40% of that lost space; verify the internal cavity behind each wheel with manufacturer drawings or a probe at purchase.

Internal shaping and fittings: use flat internal panels instead of molded internal ribs where possible. Molded ribs add bruising protection but reduce packable volume; a rib thickness of 6–8 mm around the interior perimeter can cut usable volume by 0.5–1.0 L. Choose models with built-in compression straps and single large main compartments rather than multiple fixed dividers.

Expandable sections and external pockets: expansion zippers add 1.5–4 cm of external depth but typically reduce structural efficiency; expect net usable gain of 3–6% when expanded, but a 5–10% stability loss when stowed in a bin. External laptop or organizer pockets placed between shell and lining can occupy 0.5–2 L – prefer internal, removable sleeves that can be detached for maximum packing.

Practical checklist at purchase: measure external dimensions with wheels and handle stowed; inspect wheel pockets and handle housings for internal intrusion; open lining to confirm no hidden pockets consume main cavity; if possible, press a 2–3 cm-thick board against all interior faces to visualize lost volume from ribs and pockets.

Weight vs size: avoiding gate check and overweight charges

Set a practical target of 8 kg and keep external dimensions under 55 x 40 x 20 cm; maintain a 1–2 kg margin and 1–2 cm per side to reduce risk of gate-check or excess-weight surcharges.

• Pre-flight measurement:
  1. Use a handheld luggage scale at home – weigh packed bag, then remove until display reads ≤8 kg.
  2. Measure with wheels and protruding handles extended; record external height × width × depth (cm and inches).
  3. If your airline specifies a different allowance, subtract 1 kg from that limit as a safety buffer.
• Packing techniques that trade weight for usable space:
  1. Wear the heaviest items on board: coat, hiking boots, denim jacket, layered sweater – saves 1.0–2.0 kg inside the bag.
  2. Place dense items (chargers, camera, toiletries bottles) close to the wheels/base to improve balance and keep bulk low.
  3. Use 2–3 compression cubes: compress clothing to reduce volume so you can avoid bulky outerwear inside the bag.
  4. Limit shoes to one pair inside the bag; carry the other.
• Redistribution options at check-in/gate:
  1. Move heavy electronics or books into a personal item or carry on your person – shifting 1–3 kg can prevent gate-checking.
  2. Open and repack: remove non-essential items, place toiletries in the jacket pockets, or hand small items to a travel companion.
  3. If staff request a gate-check due to size (doesn’t fit in bin), politely request a second measurement of dimensions; often a 1–2 cm difference decides the outcome.
• Typical enforcement patterns and fees (ranges):
  1. European low-cost carriers: strict weight limits (7–10 kg) enforced at gate; non-compliance often results in gate-check fees of €25–€60 or refusal to board with that bag free.
  2. US legacy carriers: size limit enforced; many do not publish carry-on weight but will gate-check bags that agents cannot lift – fees for checking at gate or re-checking may be $50–$150.
  3. Checked-bag overweight fees generally range $30–$200 depending on weight band and carrier; gate-paid rates tend toward the higher end.
• Tools and quick items to carry:
  • Handheld digital scale (≤300 g) – weigh after final pack and after any gate transfer.
  • Small foldable tote or nylon daypack – stores 1–4 kg if you need to move items at gate.
  • Compression cubes, spare zip-lock for liquids, and a slim belt pouch for passport/phone to free internal space.
• Fast decision checklist at the gate:
  1. If asked to gate-check: immediately attempt to transfer 1–3 kg to personal item or wearables.
  2. If size is the issue: collapse telescopic handle, stow shoes externally in bag to shave centimetres, or request agent to try bin placement yourself.
  3. Last-resort: accept a gate-check only after asking the fee and whether bag will be reclaimed in the same arrival area; if fee is charged, keep boarding pass and receipt.

Adopt the 8 kg + 55×40×20 cm rule for most short-haul flights, carry a scale, and plan one small overflow option (tote or jacket) to avoid unexpected charges at the gate.

Practical pre-flight checks: airport sizers, airline rules and low-cost carrier exceptions

Buy priority boarding or add a paid cabin allowance at booking when you need guaranteed bin space; prepaying usually costs less than same-day gate charges.

Confirm the allowance shown on your booking: examples – Ryanair small bag 40×20×25 cm (15.7×7.9×9.8 in); Ryanair priority/paid carry-on 55×40×20 cm (21.6×15.7×7.9 in); Wizz Air small 40×30×20 cm (15.7×11.8×7.9 in) with paid carry-on 55×40×23 cm (21.6×15.7×9.1 in); Spirit personal item 18×14×8 in (45×35×20 cm), paid carry-on 22×18×10 in (56×45×25 cm); US network carriers commonly list 22×14×9 in (56×36×23 cm). Note that some carriers list weight caps (typical European low-cost: 7–10 kg); check the exact rule in your fare details.

Expect strict sizer enforcement at gate for low-cost carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air, Vueling, easyJet in some markets) and more lenient, situational checks by legacy carriers. Sizer types: closed box matching published dimensions, open-frame templates, and staff visual checks; a rigid box will not compress, soft-sided items sometimes pass when squeezed into a frame.

Typical penalty ranges: prepay online for an extra cabin item usually €10–€45 / $10–$50; gate fees for non-compliant items or adding a carry-on quickly escalate to €40–€120 / $50–$150. Checked-for-free options occur for families with small children, passengers requiring assistance, or when gate agents tag oversized items as “gate-checked” (policies vary by airline and airport).

If an item is rejected at the sizer: ask the gate agent for a gate-check tag, move contents into a compliant personal item, or pay the prepay add-on if available digitally before boarding (payment at the gate is often highest). Keep fragile or urgently needed contents on your person to avoid damage or delay.

Day‑of-flight checklist: open the airline app/booking and screenshot baggage rules and any paid add-ons; carry proof of purchase for priority or extra cabin allowance; use a compressible soft bag for the under-seat item; pack valuables and medications separately in a small personal bag that fits the sizer. At the gate present the bag unzipped for rapid verification to shorten boarding time for yourself and others.