Free Carry-On Size Checker
Check if your bag fits your airline's carry-on and personal item limits.
What is a carry-on size checker?
A carry-on size checker is a free online tool that compares your bag's dimensions against 45+ airlines' carry-on and personal item limits. It tells you instantly whether your bag fits and by how much — no signup, no app, and no data leaves your browser.
The difference between a bag that fits as a carry-on and one that gets gate-checked can cost you $50 to $80 on a budget airline. I have watched passengers at the gate scramble to shove oversized bags into Ryanair's sizer bin, only to be charged €60 at the counter. The problem is that every airline has different limits: Delta allows 22x14x9 inches for carry-on, while Frontier allows 24x16x10 inches but charges for overhead bin bags. Even within the same airline, the personal item limit is much smaller than the carry-on limit, and many travelers do not check both. This checker compares your bag against both limits simultaneously and color-codes the result so you know at a glance whether it will work.
How it works
Enter your bag's height, width, and depth in either inches or centimeters. Select an airline from the dropdown — the database covers US carriers (Delta, American, United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue), European carriers (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Vueling, Norwegian), Asian carriers (Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, ANA, JAL), and dozens more. The checker compares each of your three dimensions against the airline's carry-on limit and personal item limit separately. If any dimension exceeds the limit, the result shows exactly how many inches or centimeters over you are. A visual bar chart compares your bag's dimensions against the airline's limit, green for fits and red for exceeds. The personal item check is a separate result — many passengers only check the carry-on limit and discover at the gate that their backpack is 2 inches too deep for the personal item sizer.
When to use a carry-on size checker
Use this checker before booking any flight where you plan to use only a carry-on bag — it is a critical pre-purchase step. I never buy a new suitcase or backpack without first checking it against my most-used airlines' limits. It is especially important when flying on a budget airline for the first time: Spirit and Frontier are known for strict enforcement at the gate, and Ryanair's personal item limit (40x25x20 cm) is significantly smaller than most travelers expect. The checker is also useful when you are switching airlines on the same trip — connecting from Delta to Air France means your bag needs to fit both limits. Travelers who pack soft-sided bags (duffels, backpacks) benefit most because those bags can be compressed or adjusted, and the checker shows you exactly how much you need to squeeze to fit.
Common mistakes when checking carry-on size
The most common mistake is only checking the carry-on limit while ignoring the personal item limit. Most US airlines allow one carry-on plus one personal item, but the personal item limit (typically 17x10x8 inches) is much smaller. A backpack that fits as a carry-on on United is probably too big to count as a personal item on the same flight. The second mistake is forgetting that wheels and handles count. Airlines measure the bag at its widest point including wheels, which can add 2-3 inches. A 20-inch tall bag with 2-inch wheels is measured as 22 inches. The third mistake is assuming that if a bag fit on one airline, it fits on all of them. British Airways allows 22x18x10 inches, but Ryanair allows 22x16x8 inches — a bag that barely fits BA will be rejected on Ryanair.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your bag dimensions — Input your bag's height, width, and depth in inches or cm.
- Select or search airline — Choose from 50+ airlines or search by name.
- Read the result — See if your bag fits as carry-on, as personal item, or needs to be checked.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard carry-on size for US airlines?
Most US airlines (American, Delta, United) allow 22 × 14 × 9 inches including handles and wheels. Southwest allows 24 × 16 × 10 inches. Budget airlines often have smaller limits: Spirit and Frontier allow 22 × 18 × 10 inches but charge for carry-ons. The personal item allowance is typically 17 × 10 × 8 inches.
What is the standard carry-on size for European airlines?
European airlines use centimeters: standard is 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air). Ryanair's priority boarding includes a 55 × 40 × 20 cm bag; non-priority allows only a 40 × 25 × 20 cm personal item. Budget carriers like Vueling and Transavia have similar limits always check the specific airline before packing.
How strict are airlines about carry-on size?
Budget airlines (Ryanair, Spirit, Frontier) are very strict — they use sizer bins at the gate and charge €25-50 for checked bags if your bag doesn't fit. Full-service airlines (Delta, British Airways) are more lenient but still enforce limits on full flights. The calculator shows each airline's specific policy and enforcement reputation.
What is the difference between carry-on and personal item?
A carry-on goes in the overhead bin (typically 22 × 14 × 9 inches). A personal item goes under the seat (typically 17 × 10 × 8 inches) — this is usually a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack. Most budget airlines include a personal item for free but charge for carry-ons. Full-service airlines include both in the fare.
How do I measure my bag for airline compliance?
Measure the bag's total external dimensions including wheels and handles. Width: side to side. Height: top to bottom (including handle extended). Depth: front to back. Most airlines use linear inches (L + W + H) or max individual dimensions. The checker compares your bag against all three dimensions for each airline automatically.
Does this carry-on checker include weight limits?
No — this tool checks dimensional compliance only, not weight limits. Most US airlines allow 40-50 lbs for carry-ons, while European budget carriers often limit to 10 kg (22 lbs). Weight restrictions are enforced separately, typically at check-in or the gate. A bag that fits the sizer can still be gate-checked if it's too heavy, especially on international flights.