Does Southwest have a carry-on weight limit?

Southwest doesn't publish a weight limit for carry-ons, but you need to be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself.

What is the Southwest personal item size?

16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm). Must fit under the seat in front of you.

Will a standard 22 × 14 × 9 in carry-on fit on Southwest?

Yes. A 22 × 14 × 9 in bag (56 × 36 × 23 cm) fits within Southwest's 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm) limit.

Does Southwest charge for carry-on bags?

No. A carry-on and a personal item are included on every Southwest fare, Basic too.

What is the Southwest carry-on size in centimeters?

61 × 41 × 25 cm, which is 24 × 16 × 10 in. Airlines measure the outside of the bag, wheels and handles included.

What happens if my carry-on is too big on Southwest?

Gate agents can make you check it, and checking a bag at the gate usually costs more than adding it when you book. Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included, before you go.

Which airports does Southwest fly from?

Southwest flies from Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Chicago (MDW), Baltimore (BWI), Dallas (DAL), Houston (HOU), Phoenix (PHX), Orlando (MCO), Albuquerque (ABQ), Atlanta (ATL), plus 64 more airports we cover. Each has an airport guide with transit, lounges and parking.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Southwest?

Yes, if it fits within 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm). A typical small backpack or daypack and under-seat rolling bag fit, but a laptop backpack (1.8 in too long), a large tote (1.8 in too long, 0.5 in too wide) and a weekender duffel (3.7 in too long, 2 in too deep) don't.

2026 carry-on & personal item rules

Southwest Airlines carry-on size

Q: Can I bring a carry-on and a personal item on Southwest?

Yes: one carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm) plus a personal item up to 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm).

Southwest Airlines's carry-on baggage size limit is 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), with no published weight limit. Included on every fare. Southwest's limit is larger than most U.S. airlines' 22 × 14 × 9 in.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Carry-on

24 × 16 × 10 in

61 × 41 × 25 cm

Weight limit

None published

You must be able to lift it into the bin

Personal item

16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in

41 × 34 × 20 cm

Carry-on on cheapest fare

Included

Even on Basic

Quick answer

Southwest Airlines allows a carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), plus a personal item up to 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in. Both are included on every fare, Basic too.

Carry-on: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
Weight limit: None published
Personal item: 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm)
Cheapest fare: Included on every fare
Standard 22 × 14 × 9 in bag: Fits
Checked bag: the first checked bag on Southwest costs $45 and the second $55.

Southwest bag sizes, drawn to scale

Carry-on: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), wheels and handles includedPersonal item: 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm)

Will my bag fit on Southwest?

Measure your packed bag, including wheels and handles.

LengthinWidthinDepthin

Weight (optional)lb

As a carry-on

Fits

Limit: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)

As a personal item

Too big

5.8 in too long, 0.5 in too wide, 1 in too deep

Limit: 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm)

Check this bag against every airline

Will my bag fit as a personal item on Southwest?

Typical sizes of everyday bags, checked against Southwest's 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in personal item limit. Measure your own bag, or use the checker above.

Small backpack or daypack16 × 12 × 6 inFits
Under-seat rolling bag16 × 13 × 8 inFits
Laptop backpack18 × 12 × 8 inToo big: 1.8 in too long
Large tote18 × 14 × 6 inToo big: 1.8 in too long, 0.5 in too wide
Weekender duffel20 × 11 × 10 inToo big: 3.7 in too long, 2 in too deep

Southwest carry-on rules by fare

Basic

Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares. Everything Southwest Basic includes

Higher fares

Standard and premium fares include a carry-on and a personal item.

Checked bags

On flights within the U.S. mainland, the first checked bag on Southwest costs $45 and the second $55. All Southwest bag fees

Tips for flying Southwest

•Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included; many suitcases sold as "22-inch" are taller with the wheels.
•On full flights, agents often offer to check carry-ons for free at the gate; keep medicines and valuables in your personal item.

How Southwest compares

Carry-on rules at other U.S. airlines.

Airline	Carry-on	Weight	Personal item	Carry-on on cheapest fare
Southwest Airlines	24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cm	—	16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in	Included
American Airlines	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	—	18 × 14 × 8 in	Included
Delta Air Lines	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	—	Must fit under seat	Included
United Airlines	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	—	17 × 10 × 9 in	Not on some basic fares
Alaska Airlines	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	—	Must fit under seat	Included
JetBlue	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	—	17 × 13 × 8 in	Included
Hawaiian Airlines	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	25 lb	Must fit under seat	Included
Frontier Airlines	24 × 16 × 10 in61 × 41 × 25 cm	35 lb	18 × 14 × 8 in	Costs extra
Allegiant Air	22 × 16 × 10 in56 × 41 × 25 cm	—	7 × 15 × 16 in	Costs extra
Sun Country Airlines	24 × 16 × 11 in61 × 41 × 28 cm	35 lb	17 × 13 × 9 in	Costs extra
Breeze Airways	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	35 lb	17 × 13 × 8 in	Costs extra
Avelo Airlines	22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm	—	17 × 13 × 9 in	Costs extra

Southwest Airlines
Carry-on
24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in
Cheapest fare
Included
American Airlines
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
18 × 14 × 8 in
Cheapest fare
Included
Delta Air Lines
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
Must fit under seat
Cheapest fare
Included
United Airlines
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
17 × 10 × 9 in
Cheapest fare
Not on some basic fares
Alaska Airlines
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
Must fit under seat
Cheapest fare
Included
JetBlue
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
17 × 13 × 8 in
Cheapest fare
Included
Hawaiian Airlines
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
25 lb
Personal item
Must fit under seat
Cheapest fare
Included
Frontier Airlines
Carry-on
24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm)
Weight
35 lb
Personal item
18 × 14 × 8 in
Cheapest fare
Costs extra
Allegiant Air
Carry-on
22 × 16 × 10 in (56 × 41 × 25 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
7 × 15 × 16 in
Cheapest fare
Costs extra
Sun Country Airlines
Carry-on
24 × 16 × 11 in (61 × 41 × 28 cm)
Weight
35 lb
Personal item
17 × 13 × 9 in
Cheapest fare
Costs extra
Breeze Airways
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
35 lb
Personal item
17 × 13 × 8 in
Cheapest fare
Costs extra
Avelo Airlines
Carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm)
Weight
—
Personal item
17 × 13 × 9 in
Cheapest fare
Costs extra

Head-to-head comparisons

Southwest vs American Southwest vs Delta Southwest vs United Southwest vs Alaska Southwest vs JetBlue Southwest vs Hawaiian Southwest vs Frontier Southwest vs Allegiant Southwest vs Sun Country Southwest vs Breeze Southwest vs Avelo Southwest vs Air Canada Southwest vs WestJet

Southwest carry-on FAQ

Southwest Airlines allows a carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), including wheels and handles. Included on every fare. Southwest's limit is larger than most U.S. airlines' 22 × 14 × 9 in.

Connecting on Southwest

How long a layover you need at its hubs.

Denver (DEN)Connection time guide Las Vegas (LAS)Connection time guide Chicago (MDW)Connection time guide Baltimore (BWI)Connection time guide Dallas (DAL)Connection time guide Houston (HOU)Connection time guide Phoenix (PHX)Connection time guide Orlando (MCO)Connection time guide

Airports Southwest flies from

Airport guides for the airports we cover: getting into town, terminals, lounges and parking.

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

Cheap flights on Southwest and more

Now that your bag fits, get the fare. We watch prices from your home airports and email you when they drop well below normal.

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