How does southwest airlines measure luggage

Recommendation: Pack so every checked piece stays at or below 50 pounds (22.7 kg) and 62 linear inches (length + width + height, 157 cm). Carry-on must fit within 24 × 16 × 10 inches (61 × 41 × 25 cm) including wheels and handles, plus one personal item that fits under the seat.

Verification steps: Use a rigid tape measure and include wheels and handles when adding length + width + height. For weight, use a handheld luggage scale or the bathroom-scale trick: weigh yourself, then weigh while holding the packed bag and subtract. Bags between 51 and 100 lb are typically subject to overweight charges; items over 100 lb may be refused at check-in.

Packing advice: Split heavy items across the two free checked pieces whenever possible to keep each under 50 lb. Prefer soft-sided cases to gain a few extra inches when squeezed into sizers, place denser items near the wheels for better balance, and keep valuables or fragile items in your carry-on/personal item. Always weigh and size-check at home to avoid surprises at the counter or gate.

Keep each checked bag at or below 50 lb and 62 linear inches (length + width + height); carry-ons must not exceed 10 x 16 x 24 inches and personal items must fit under the seat.

Calculate linear size by adding the longest dimension + width + height; include wheels, side pockets and fixed handles in those measurements. Use a tape measure on a fully packed bag and verify weight with a handheld luggage scale–airport scales sometimes round up.

Checked-bag specifics and fees

The carrier allows two checked pieces free for most fares; each may weigh up to 50 lb and measure up to 62 linear inches. Overweight (51–100 lb) or oversized (over 62 linear inches) pieces incur a $75 fee per bag; items heavier than 100 lb will be refused for transport. Soft-sided suitcases often avoid an oversize charge by compressing slightly; rigid cases must include wheels and handles in the linear-total.

Gate handling and carry-on guidance

Gate agents use a metal sizer for overhead bins and a placard for personal items. If a carry-on fails the sizer, it will be gate-checked free of charge; gate-checked pieces should still meet checked-bag weight/size limits. For baby gear consider a compact umbrella stroller – see best umbrella stroller babygear lab. For fragile hobby items, wrap and pad aquarium pumps or stones and consult this guide: best airstone for aquarium.

Measure packed dimensions at home, keep each bag under stated size/weight thresholds, and weigh again at curbside or the check-in counter to avoid surprise fees.

Fit your carry-on and personal item to the carrier’s gate sizer

Limit your carry-on to 24 x 16 x 10 inches and your personal item to 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches (all dimensions include wheels, fixed handles and exterior pockets); pack the bag as you will carry it when verifying the fit.

Quick checklist for confirming dimensions

• Use a tape measure and record length x width x depth while bag is fully packed and closed.
• Include wheels, fixed or recessed handles and any zippered pockets in the totals.
• Mock the gate sizer with a cardboard box cut to 24 x 16 x 10 inches; try inserting the loaded bag upright.
• Test both items separately: carry-on in the sizer, personal item under a seat mock (use a low bench or box ~8.5″ tall).
• If using a hard-shell case, check wheel housings and external handles for protrusions that add inches.

Packing adjustments to gain space

• Collapse the telescoping handle and tuck straps into external pockets before testing fit.
• Move bulky shoes or toiletry kits to the personal item or wear the bulkiest outer layer on the plane.
• Swap a rigid case for a soft-sided bag or use compression packing cubes to shave several inches.
• Redistribute heavy items: place dense objects in the personal item if it still fits under the seat.
• Remove or deflate external accessories (pillow, blanket, shopping bags) before gate check.

If a bag fails the gate sizer: request a gate-check or check at the ticket counter, transfer essential contents to the personal item or cabin pockets, and arrive early to resolve re-packing without delaying boarding.

Weigh checked bag at home and meet the airline’s weight thresholds

Use a digital hanging scale and aim for 45–48 lb (20.4–21.8 kg) per checked bag to stay below the airline’s 50 lb (22.7 kg) limit and avoid the $75 overweight charge for 51–100 lb.

Recommended tools and quick checks

Digital hanging scale (±0.1–0.2 lb accuracy), bathroom scale, or a postal scale. Verify battery level and zero/tare before each use. Calibrate a bathroom scale by stepping on it twice: if readings differ by more than 0.5 lb, place scale on a hard, level surface and repeat. Avoid carpet, keep zippers closed, and remove detachable pockets that add weight during weighing.

Step-by-step weighing techniques at home

Hanging-scale method: attach scale to the bag handle, lift evenly until reading stabilizes; hold bag close to your body to avoid swinging. Bathroom-scale method A (single-bag capacity): set bag centrally on the scale; read when stable. Bathroom-scale method B (hand + bag): weigh yourself, then weigh holding the packed bag; subtract the two readings to get bag weight. Postal-scale method: place bag in the center of the platform; use for items under the platform capacity. Repeat each method twice and use the higher reading to be conservative.

Packing and tolerance tips: distribute heavy items across multiple checked bags (first two checked bags are typically free with many carriers), wear heavier garments on the plane, and leave a 2–5 lb buffer to cover scale variance and cabin crew reweighs. For fragile contents, weigh after protective padding and packing materials are added.

Oversized and oddly shaped items: sizing and packing tips for SWA travelers

Box odd-shaped items into the smallest rigid rectangle possible; carriers evaluate packaged dimensions using total linear size (length + width + height), so a compact box with 2–4 in of padding reduces declared size and protects contents.

For cylindrical or tubular pieces, either place them in a rectangular shipping crate or calculate girth (circumference) and compare with carrier limits; converting to a boxed footprint avoids ambiguity at check-in.

Use double-walled corrugated boxes or hard cases sized to snugly fit the item plus foam. Recommended internal clearance: 2 in on flat surfaces, 4 in around delicate protrusions. Pack in layers: void-fill (chips or crumpled kraft), multi-density foam blocks at corners, and a final bubble-wrap layer. Reinforce seams with 3–4 overlapping strips of 48 mm filament tape.

Secure loose parts: remove or immobilize knobs, antennas, pedals, or handles; place removed parts in clearly labeled, padded envelopes inside the main container. For bikes, partially deflate tires, remove pedals, turn handlebars parallel to frame, cover derailleur with a padded guard and secure chain. For boards, use a padded board bag with nose guard and add extra foam at fin boxes.

Battery rules: take spare lithium-ion cells and power banks in the cabin only; tape terminal ends and store each in a plastic pouch. Capacity guidance: up to 100 Wh typically allowed in carry-on without approval; 100–160 Wh generally requires carrier approval; above 160 Wh almost always prohibited.

Label externally with name, phone, and destination; include an interior inventory and a copy of your ID. Photograph all sides and serial numbers before handing over the item; keep photos and timestamps as proof in case of damage claims.

Gate-checking tips: use a protective bag or wrap when gate-checked; apply zip ties or tamper-evident fasteners to external straps, and ask the agent to note any visible damage on the gate-check tag before release. If dimensions or weight exceed standard acceptance, contact the carrier’s special handling or cargo desk 48–72 hours before travel to arrange carriage or alternate routing.

For sudden rain during transfers, pack a compact protective item such as a best small automatic umbrella inside your personal bag to prevent water damage to packing materials and labels.

What airport agents check: sizers, scales and documentation at drop-off

Present government photo ID and boarding pass at the counter and place each checked piece on the scale; remove loose items from pockets before weighing.

Physical compliance checks

Agent slides the item into a rigid carry-size box or measures wheels and handles with a tape for irregular shapes. Scales are read to the nearest 0.1–0.5 lb; oversized pieces are measured for linear inches (length + width + height). If weight or linear size exceeds the carrier’s published limits the agent will offer options: repack, transfer items to a different piece, pay the excess fee, or route the item to cargo/special handling.

Tagging, routing and safety screening

Agent prints and affixes a barcode tag, verifies the routing code against the passenger record, and issues a baggage receipt showing tag number and recorded weight. They check for prohibited or restricted items (spare lithium batteries must typically travel in the cabin, liquids and aerosols within permitted quantities) and will require removal or refusal of acceptance for noncompliant contents. Special-handling requests (fragile, oversized, declared value, musical instruments) are logged; stickers and notes change handling path but are not guarantees of damage-free transport.

Keep the baggage receipt and a photo of the packed piece until arrival; payment for excess pieces, overweight or oversize charges is processed at drop-off and annotated on the receipt for claims or inquiries.

Documenting dimensions and disputing unexpected size or weight fees with the carrier

Immediate evidence collection at the airport

Record continuous video showing the item on the scale and inside the sizer, capturing the scale display, bag tag, boarding pass and the gate agent in frame; stop the video only after the agent issues a receipt or provides a written reason for the fee. Include a close-up still of the scale readout (showing decimals) and a second still of a tape measure or ruler placed alongside the bag to display length/width/height in inches or centimeters.

Request a printed receipt that lists: exact fee charged, fee code or description, payment method, flight number, date/time, bag tag number and the agent’s name or employee ID. If the agent refuses a paper receipt, photograph the payment terminal screen and the agent’s name badge. Keep the original boarding pass and any baggage tag issued at check-in.

Capture device metadata: keep original photo/video files (do not crop or compress). If the device supports file timestamps, preserve them; if possible enable automatic cloud backup with original timestamps intact. Name files using this convention: YYYYMMDD_FLIGHT#_GATE_TAG_DESCRIPTION (for example: 20250821_WN123_DEN_G8_TAG0123_scale.jpg).

Filing a formal dispute and escalation steps

Submit a claim using the carrier’s official customer-relations channel within 30 days of travel; attach originals: unedited photos/videos, the receipt for the assessed fee, boarding pass, bag tag, and a short cover note with the requested refund amount and a one-line factual summary (flight number, date, gate, charged amount). Include a timestamped list of submitted files and the device model used to record evidence.

If the carrier denies the claim or does not respond within two weeks, post a concise message on the carrier’s verified social account while linking the claim reference number (do not share private documents publicly). Simultaneously open a dispute with your card issuer supplying the same evidence and the carrier’s denial or lack of response; ask for provisional hold/chargeback while the issuer investigates.

For U.S. flights, file a complaint with the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division if internal escalation fails; include claim reference, copies of all evidence and chronology of communications. Retain every original file and two backup copies (cloud + local) for at least 12 months in case regulators or the card issuer request additional proof.

Practical details that reduce rejection risk: use a scale with ±0.1 lb (±50 g) accuracy for home checks, show a ruler in the airport photos for scale, and always obtain an agent-written receipt before leaving the counter.

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