Carry-On Size Checker
Check if your bag fits airline carry-on requirements. 106 major airlines worldwide with current size limits.
Universal Carry-On Dimensions
A bag of 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 inches) fits the majority of US airlines and many international ones. For European budget airlines (Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet) and some Asian carriers, you’ll need a smaller bag — 55 × 40 × 20 cm is safer.
Best Carry-On Brands (2026)
- Away (The Bigger Carry-On) — 56×35×23, hard shell, battery pack option. $295
- Travelpro Maxlite 5 — 56×36×23, soft sided, lightweight 2.4kg. $130
- Briggs & Riley Baseline — Lifetime guarantee, business standard. $549
- July Carry On — 55×34×23, popular international fit. $315
- Eagle Creek Gear Warrior — Soft duffel hybrid, 50L. $269
Carry-On Sizes Compared: What Actually Fits (2026 data)
We measured the published carry-on limits of all 106 airlines in the checker above. The results are counter-intuitive:
- A bag of 55×35×20 cm fits 103 of 106 airlines (97%) — the closest thing to a universal carry-on.
- The “cabin approved” 56×45×25 cm bags most shops sell fit only 9 of 106 (8%) — width is the usual dealbreaker.
- Going slightly smaller to 54×35×20 cm clears 104 of 106 (98%).
The strictest airlines (55×38×20 cm)
Emirates, flydubai, Ethiopian Airlines, Biman and Air Senegal enforce the tightest limits in our dataset — pack to these if they are on your itinerary.
The most generous airlines
Southwest (61×41×27) gives the most room, followed by the 56×45×25 group — British Airways, easyJet, Thai Airways and Aegean among them.
The most common published limit
The single most common carry-on limit is 56×36×23 cm (21 airlines), followed by 55×40×23 cm (16 airlines). Always measure including wheels and handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my bag is too big?
Gate agents will tag it for checked baggage — fees range from $35 (US) to $80 (European low-cost). Always know your airline’s limit before flying.
Are personal items counted separately?
Yes — most airlines allow 1 carry-on + 1 personal item (purse, laptop bag, small backpack). Spirit/Frontier charge extra for the carry-on but allow free personal item.
Why are Asian and Middle East carriers stricter?
Their fleets often have older/smaller overhead bins, and they enforce limits more strictly. Pack lighter for these airlines.
Does carry-on weight matter in the US?
US airlines (American, Delta, United) typically don’t enforce weight limits on carry-ons. International carriers often do (7-10 kg standard).
How to cite this page
Journalists, researchers, educators and developers are welcome to use this carry-on allowance dataset with attribution. Copy the citation below:
Packzup. “Carry-On Size Limits 2026: 106 airlines Compared” Packzup, 2026, https://packzup.com/carry-on-size-checker/.
Dimensions and weight limits are compiled from each airline’s own published baggage policy. If you publish an article, chart or dataset using these figures, a link back to this page lets your readers verify the source for themselves. Questions about the data or a request for a custom cut: editorial@packzup.com.
Download the dataset: Carry-on size limits 2026 — 106 airlines (CSV). Columns: airline, country, free_personal_item_cm, free_personal_item_kg, cabin_bag_cm, cabin_bag_kg, cabin_bag_free_on_cheapest_fare, source_url, verification, last_verified, notes. Free to reuse with attribution to Packzup.
How to use this tool
- 1Enter your bag dimensionsLength, width, depth in inches or cm.
- 2Select airlinesPick from 70+ supported airlines.
- 3See pass/fail by airlinePlus weight limits and personal item rules.
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Sources & methodology
Every allowance here comes from each airline’s own published cabin-baggage policy, converted between centimetres and inches and rounded to the nearest whole unit. We last reviewed the full 106-airline dataset in September 2026, when three carriers that have ceased operations were removed and six dimensions corrected against carrier policy. Airlines change these limits with little notice, so before you fly, confirm the current rule on your airline’s official baggage page — especially on basic and low-cost fares, where personal-item-only rules are common. Packing light? Build your list with our Packing List Generator.
