WN · United States · Low-cost

Southwest Airlines Carry-On Size

Exact Southwest Airlines carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026, verified against the airline's own published policy on 2026-04-14.

Quick answer

Carry-on size: up to 24 x 16 x 10" (61 x 41 x 25 cm)
Weight limit: no published weight limit
Carry-on fee: free on most fares
Personal item: up to 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5", free on every fare
Gate-check risk: Low

Southwest Airlines maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (in): 24 x 16 x 10"
Max dimensions (cm): 61 x 41 x 25 cm
Weight limit: No published limit
Fee: Free
Gate-check risk: Low

One of the most generous carry-on allowances in the US. Two free checked bags also included on most fares.

Personal Item

Max dimensions (in): 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5"
Max dimensions (cm): 47 x 22 x 34 cm
Included: Yes, free

Must fit under the seat in front of you.

See full personal item rules for Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines carry-on dimensions and bag size

The maximum Southwest Airlines carry-on size is 24 x 16 x 10 inches, which works out to 61 x 41 x 25 cm. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets. Gate sizers on Southwest Airlines match the published limits closely, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can fail if its wheels push the total past 24 inches. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

Southwest Airlines carry-on weight limit

Southwest Airlines does not publish a specific carry-on weight limit for domestic travel. The operational rule is that you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead bin without help. Very heavy bags can still be refused at the gate, and on some regional aircraft the crew may ask you to check an overweight bag as a courtesy.

Does Southwest Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Southwest Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on most fares. This applies across standard economy fares.

What bags fit as a Southwest Airlines personal item

Common bag types compared against the Southwest Airlines personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag type	Typical size	On Southwest Airlines
Standard backpack Everyday daypack, laptop backpack	18 x 13 x 8"	Fits
Tote bag Canvas or leather tote	15 x 14 x 5"	Too big
Laptop bag Messenger or slim briefcase	16 x 12 x 4"	Fits
Small duffel Gym or weekender	18 x 11 x 11"	Too big
Purse Handbag or crossbody	12 x 10 x 5"	Fits
Under-seat roller Mini wheeled bag	16 x 14 x 8"	Too big

Southwest Airlines carry-on by fare class

Fare	Carry-on	Personal item	Notes
Basic	Included	Included	Carry-on included; boards last, bins may be full.
Wanna Get Away Plus	Included	Included	Earlier boarding than Basic, same bag allowance.
Anytime	Included	Included	Standard carry-on and personal item included.
Business Select	Included	Included	A1 to A15 boarding, first access to overhead bins.
Choice Extra	Included	Included	Also includes two free checked bags post-2025 change.

Southwest Airlines overhead bin size by aircraft

Southwest operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, primarily 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8. All models accept the published 24x16x10 carry-on and 16.25x13.5x8 personal item. The MAX 8 has slightly larger Space Bins that fit more roller bags wheels-first, which helps on full flights.

Avoiding gate-check on Southwest Airlines

Southwest boards by position within groups A, B and C rather than zones. Paying for EarlyBird Check-In, Upgraded Boarding (A1 to A15 at the gate for a fee), or buying a Business Select fare all secure earlier positions and guaranteed bin space. A-List and A-List Preferred status holders also get priority boarding. Rapid Rewards credit cardholders no longer get automatic early boarding, so the paid options matter more.

What counts as a personal item on Southwest Airlines

Allowed

Purse
Laptop bag
Small backpack
Briefcase
Small tote
Diaper bag

Counts as a second carry-on

Full-size roller bag as second item
Large duffel beyond 16.25x13.5x8
Garment bag as a third piece
Oversized shopping bag

Common Southwest Airlines carry-on mistakes

Assuming bags still fly free, Southwest ended the two free checked bags policy for bookings made on or after May 28, 2025.
Skipping EarlyBird Check-In on a Basic fare, you can end up in the C group with no overhead bin room.
Measuring a bag at 24x16x10 and forgetting Southwest's limit is larger than most airlines, so that same bag will not fit on Delta or United.
Bringing a 70-pound checked bag and expecting the old overweight fee structure, overweight charges were revised in 2025.
Relying on Companion Pass or credit card perks for free checked bags, only A-List Preferred and Choice Extra currently include two free checked bags.

What happens if your bag does not fit on Southwest Airlines

Because Southwest's 24x16x10 carry-on limit is already larger than most airlines, gate-checking is less common. If a flight is full or a bag exceeds the sizer, agents tag it and load it in the hold. The applicable checked bag fee applies on new bookings (policy revised in 2025), verify current rates on southwest.com. You pick the bag up at baggage claim.

Southwest Airlines vs JetBlue carry-on

Southwest and JetBlue both operate quirky fare structures among US majors. Southwest's 24x16x10 carry-on is noticeably larger than JetBlue's industry-standard 22x14x9, and Southwest has no fare class that strips the carry-on. JetBlue's Blue Basic lost and then regained its carry-on in September 2024, while Southwest's Basic has always included it. JetBlue offers assigned seats while Southwest is transitioning from open seating to assigned seating; verify the current state for your travel date. For checked bags, JetBlue charges from fare one, Southwest now also charges on new bookings but still offers free bags to A-List Preferred and Choice Extra.

See JetBlue carry-on size

Frequently asked questions

What is the Southwest Airlines carry-on size limit?

Southwest Airlines allows carry-on bags up to 24 x 16 x 10" (61 x 41 x 25 cm), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. There is no published weight limit, but you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead bin unassisted.

What are the Southwest Airlines carry-on dimensions in cm?

The Southwest Airlines carry-on size limit in centimeters is 61 x 41 x 25 cm. In inches that converts to 24 x 16 x 10". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the Southwest Airlines carry-on weight limit?

Southwest Airlines does not publish a carry-on weight limit for domestic travel. The operational rule is that you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead bin without help. Very heavy bags can still be refused at the gate.

Does Southwest Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Southwest Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on most fares.

What is the Southwest Airlines personal item size?

The personal item on Southwest Airlines must fit within 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5" (47 x 22 x 34 cm) and slide fully under the seat in front of you. Must fit under the seat in front of you.

Will my bag be gate-checked on Southwest Airlines?

Southwest Airlines currently has a low gate-check risk based on our review of boarding policies and traveler reports. Overhead bin space is usually sufficient on full flights.

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a Southwest Airlines carry-on?

Usually yes. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on suitcase fits within the Southwest Airlines carry-on limit of 24 x 16 x 10". Confirm your specific bag measures under the limit with wheels and handles included.

Need the full Southwest Airlines baggage policy?

Checked bag fees, overweight and oversize charges, special items (ski, golf, bike, pets), and basic economy fare rules for Southwest Airlines, all on one page.

Full Southwest Airlines baggage policy Southwest Airlines checked bag fees Southwest Airlines personal item Generate a packing list

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Southwest Airlines head-to-head comparisons

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Sources & verification

Last verified 2026-04-14 against the official Southwest Airlines policy at https://www.southwest.com/help/baggage/carryon-baggage . Airlines change their rules without notice, so always confirm with Southwest Airlines before flying.