Carry-on sizer rules by airline (2026)
A bag that works on one airline may be too large on another. This page helps you compare your bag against published size rules and spot the bag types most likely to get questioned at the gate.
Compare your bag to published carry-on dimensions
Enter the outside dimensions including wheels, handles, and stuffed pockets. This tool only compares against published airline dimensions. It does not guess missing airline rules or promise that airport staff will handle every bag the same way.
A 22 × 16 × 9 inch bag fails 16 published sizer rules in this comparison and is very tight on 3.
This checks size only. A bag can still be challenged if it is rigid, visibly overpacked, too heavy, or used on a stricter fare.
Cabin bag matches
Published limit: 21.7 in × 15.7 in × 9.1 in. One cabin bag up to 10 kg (55 × 40 × 23 cm) included
Published limit: 15.7 in × 11.8 in × 7.9 in. One small personal bag included (40 x 30 x 20 cm) that must fit under the seat in front
Published limit: 21.7 in × 15.7 in × 7.9 in. Priority & 2 Cabin Bags: includes 1 small personal bag and 1 cabin bag up to 10 kg (55 x 40 x 20 cm); price varies by route and timing
Published limit: 22 in × 17.7 in × 9.8 in. One cabin bag up to 10 kg (56 × 45 × 25 cm) included
Personal item / small-bag matches
Published limit: 13 in × 9.8 in × 7.9 in. One small personal item included (up to 33 × 25 × 20 cm) that must fit under the seat in front
Published limit: 22 in × 14 in × 9 in. One carry-on up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches plus one smaller personal item
Published limit: 21.7 in × 15.7 in × 9.8 in. Carry-on baggage allowance: up to 10 kg total including personal item; standard size limits apply (55 × 40 × 25 cm per item)
Published limit: 15.7 in × 11.8 in × 5.9 in. One cabin bag (maximum 56 × 45 × 25 cm) and one personal item (maximum 40 × 30 × 15 cm) permitted; weight limits apply
Published limit: 17.7 in × 14.2 in × 7.9 in. One small cabin bag included (45 × 36 × 20 cm) that must fit under the seat in front
Published limit: 22 in × 15.7 in × 9.8 in. One cabin bag included (up to 56 × 40 × 25 cm) plus one personal item; weight limits depend on fare (generally up to 10 kg in Economy)
Published limit: 21.7 in × 15.7 in × 9.8 in. Carry-on baggage allowance: up to 10 kg total including personal item; size limits apply (generally up to 55 × 40 × 25 cm per item)
Published limit: 15.7 in × 11.8 in × 5.9 in. One small under-seat bag included (up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm)
Published limit: 22 in × 14.2 in × 9.1 in. Economy and Premium Economy include 1 carry-on item up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm and 7 kg, plus a small personal item.
Published limit: 22 in × 14.2 in × 9.1 in. Business and First include 2 carry-on items, each up to 56 x 36 x 23 cm and 7 kg, plus a small personal item.
Enforcement risk tiers
Use this to decide how cautious to be before you pack. Stricter airlines are more likely to notice rigid, overstuffed, or borderline bags.
| Group | Typical published carry-on | What to watch for | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Big Three (UA / DL / AA) | 22 × 14 × 9 (common baseline) | Full flights make rigid rollers more likely to get checked | Medium |
| US low-cost carriers (Spirit / Frontier) | Personal item is included; larger bags usually cost extra | A bag that looks too large is more likely to be checked against the sizer | Extreme |
| European low-cost carriers (Ryanair / easyJet) | Personal item baseline + paid “large cabin bag” | Buy the correct bag option before travel if your bag needs the overhead bin | Extreme |
| Regional flights (small jets) | Overheads + under-seat are physically smaller | Tags can reroute bags to carousel; under-seat obstructions exist on some aircraft | High |
What triggers checks
On busy flights, agents often pre-tag rigid rollers because they do not compress. Soft bags are less likely to draw attention because they look smaller and can squeeze into tighter spaces.
Some airports do not use obvious metal sizers every time. If the bag looks too large, staff may ask you to check it even before exact measuring starts.
Small aircraft have real physical limits. Even if carry-on bags are allowed, you may still be forced to gate-check. Keep medicine, keys, and documents with you in case the bag is sent to the carousel.
On airlines where the cheapest fare includes only a small bag, choose a personal item that can compress into the sizer even when it is packed.
Recommended gear
These bag types are easier to fit into sizers and under seats. Where a product link is available, it appears below.
Next: check your airline
Bag rules can change by airline, fare, and route. Open your airline page to see the carry-on and checked-bag rules that apply before you pack.